@thatbrickster @CyReVolt @ben @qtd3n The gab.com block doesn't block any particular "type of expression", it blocks using a particular server through the app.

The main promise of federation that I see is the removal of a central controlling instance. In that light, I applaud the gab.com blockade simply because it (hopefully) encourages people to roll their own. And yes, that means that blocking nazis becomes a game of Whack-a-mole (as @sir pointed out).

From there it's just another step to not putting any trust in providers of app binaries: build your own Tusky (under your own name), and you won't have issues with block lists like that because you control these block lists.

Meanwhile, the Tusky app developers are free (as in freedom!) to shape their app in the way that pleases them.

This attempt at exerting social control over Tusky app developers as if they owe anybody anything because free software ought to be "freedom respecting" is infringing on the app developers freedom to creative expression (no matter how annoying or shallow you may find it). While it's also free expression to criticize them for it, I think it's misguided to do so via some imaginary moral imperative.

(and now I'm on a level of meta-critique that's way beyond my comfort zone :-) )