As I understand it, Facebook exploits semi-open information in a semi-centralized way. Instead of the Applications layer being something that people can really socialize about, it only supports a closed, firm-like, collaboration at that layer. I hope that Diaspora* et al. will support "social apps" that aren't just miniature corporate themeparks, but which instead correspond to real "grassroots social organizing". How might that work?
Some analogies: this might be like adding a "problems" layer on top of PlanetMath's mathematics encyclopedia, or like adding a radio drama layer on top of the collection of sounds at Freesound.org, or like adding a literary discussion layer on top of the collection of public domain texts at Project Gutenberg. Indeed, maybe these aren't just analogies, but could themselves become "applications".
