Notice how no one complains about web previews embedded in posts, as seen here? How are they different from quoted posts? Not very. They are simply supported by standard protocol not yet available for QPs . But the net effect is precisely the same. We get to see what someone wants us to know more about, so we're more likely to explore it. That's all a QP seeks to do in the vast majority of use-cases..

#QuotedPostsOnMastodon

There is just something odd at work when people suggest that's somehow "better" to click a link with a mystery-meat destination, rather than see the item someone wants them to see or know about. And just because in 0.001% of posts, some dick might abuse that quoting tool and use it to call out, shame, or embarrass someone. And I have yet to see a single person santioned or hectored for using a QP. Even once. Because only a handful of true believers notice or care.

#QuotedPostsOnMastodon

So, I finally poked around Post News. And you know what amused me instantly?

The first 9 posts (NINE in a row) were all quoted posts :)

I rest my case. They are simply an obvious sharing tool and social media will never feel right without them. The sooner they are implemented, the better, imo.

#Quotedpostsonmastodon

This will grate on some old-school Mastians, but the Fediverse (mostly Mastodon) is still lacking a certain sharing energy. And the blame for that is the decision to not support quoted posts. It was made years ago, based on what was then mostly an anything goes version of Twitter. Small improvements in moderation changed much of that. And moderation is supposed to be the stock-in-trade here.

#QuotedPostsOnMastodon