In a striking move at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber made headlines with her choice of attire. Wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the Latin phrase “Mundus sine caesaribus,” which translates to “a world without Caesars,” Graber subtly yet effectively critiqued Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent fashion choices and leadership style. This incident highlights the growing competition in the tech industry, especially between established platforms like Meta and emerging alternatives such as Bluesky.
A World Without Caesars: The Battle for Social Media Supremacy
During this year's SXSW, Jay Graber, CEO of Bluesky, took center stage not just with her words but also with her wardrobe. In a bold statement, she wore a black T-shirt inscribed with the Latin phrase “Mundus sine caesaribus.” This choice was widely interpreted as a pointed comment on Mark Zuckerberg’s penchant for wearing shirts with historical references, notably comparing himself to Roman leaders. The event unfolded against the backdrop of significant changes in social media platforms, with Bluesky positioning itself as an open-source alternative to giants like Meta and X (formerly Twitter).
Graber’s shirt is particularly noteworthy given Zuckerberg’s recent trend of donning garments with classical phrases. At his 40th birthday celebration, he sported a shirt that read “Carthago delenda est,” a reference to the destruction of Carthage. Additionally, at Meta’s Connect developer conference, he wore another shirt bearing the slogan “Aut Zuck aut nihil,” drawing parallels to Julius Caesar. These actions have sparked discussions about the symbolism behind such fashion choices and their implications for leadership in the tech world.
Bluesky, founded in 2019 as an internal project at Twitter, has since emerged as a stand-alone public benefit corporation. With its official launch in February 2024, the platform quickly garnered attention, amassing over 25 million users by year-end. This growth underscores a shift in user preferences, driven by dissatisfaction with existing platforms and a desire for more transparent and community-driven alternatives.
Jack Dorsey, co-founder of both Twitter and Bluesky, recently commented on this trend, suggesting that users are migrating away from established platforms rather than being drawn specifically to Bluesky. This observation reflects a broader sentiment of disillusionment with centralized social media models and a growing appetite for decentralized options.
Both Meta and Bluesky declined to comment on the incident, leaving much room for speculation and interpretation. Nonetheless, the episode serves as a reminder of the evolving dynamics within the tech industry, where fashion can be as much a tool for communication as any press release or product launch.
From a journalist's perspective, this incident highlights the power of symbolic gestures in shaping public perception. It underscores the importance of leadership styles and the messages they convey. As the tech landscape continues to diversify, it is clear that the competition extends beyond mere technology; it encompasses culture, values, and the vision for the future of social media. This moment invites us to reflect on the kind of world we want to build and the leaders who will guide us there.