saikatdNov 12, 2019
Why did we start moving from the #Birdsite is now well knoan. But what can we do to make #mastodon better and not repeat the mistakes of #birdsite. Some thoughts in a #thread
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
It's easy to blame others for the toxicity. But those of us who moved here -- are we introspective about the mistakes we made inadvertently?
Show threadsaikatd
The unfortunate aspect of social media is that it isn't very social. It quickly descends into cliques or closed communities, where echo chambers thrive. There is no real egalitarianism, even though we claim to uphold it.
Nov 12, 2019 at 6:29amWeb
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
We also look for similar people. So that out confirmation biases get reinforced. For example, on #birdsite we have #FF (Friday Follows) or recommendations on who to follow. To my mind, that was wrong
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
When we start recommending lists, people to follow, we end up building social capital that is inherently non egalitarian. It becomes an exercise of our privilege, or adding to the privilege of others. How is that egalitarian?
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
Isn't everyone equally good enough to follow? Should I arrogate the right to recommend others? Why can't I leave people to decide for themselves? And why can't they exercise their agency to discover new voices, new thoughts?
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
This inherent tribalism (is social media parochialism) is inherently toxic by nature. It ended up justifying all sorts of toxicity that we eventually witnessed on #birdsite. But we never thought to introspect. Instead, we brought the same habits here. The same privileges and the same inequalities.
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
So here's what I going to do differently here. I am going to follow more people. Hear new and more voices. Listen. And not recommend anyone. Everyone is good and if you need to follow or hear someone, you will find them. You don't need me.
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
So here's our chance to actually build a community that is inclusive, egalitarian and not exclusive by design. Let's hope we can keep it that way. Happy tooting folks! And a Happy #Gurpurab
Show threadNavneet Mathur ✔Nov 12, 2019

@Saikatd very well said Saikat. We need to stop building idols, heroes and temples here. Every voice important as long as it is respectful.

Let’s all follow each other and destroy the edifice of high followership just as the elitist blue tick has been rendered useless here.

People who make sense and have valuable/ quality opinions to share will stand out no matter what

Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@navneetmathur I hear you. And that's a start for me. Listening more.
Show threadTheObserverNov 13, 2019
@Saikatd @navneetmathur yes... Everyone matters!
Show threadSGNov 13, 2019

@navneetmathur @Saikatd what if we sought recommendations only because we were starved of time? Still a bad idea?

To follow someone randomly and then months later discover that the person has been toxic, will be a waste of time. Rather if someone gives me a list of non-toxic ppl to follow, wouldn't that be an efficient use of time?

Trial & error vs Tried & tested

Show threadSai VishalNov 13, 2019

@silverlightgal @navneetmathur @Saikatd A person can be turn toxic at an given moment. Mastodon ha a better steps to deal with it. Most people are genuine and caring.

So do follow as many people as you can, have as many conversations as possible. Limiting yourself to a list is just an opportunity lost to meet and socialize with a lot more people.

Show threadRicha SinghNov 12, 2019
@Saikatd that’s some serious food for thought here!
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@richa_singh Thank you!
Show threadcbcnn_PilidNov 12, 2019
@Saikatd You are being too hard on yourself. Fine to recommend others you like & choose to follow; but in order to expand the horizons, try making your choices more eclectic. That would also expand the diversity on this platform which comes across as narrower & more straight-jacketed than #Birdsite. Just my two cents.
Show threadesoteric_guyNov 13, 2019
@Saikatd Thank you for saying this. It means a lot when a popular figure actually says it and actually walks the talk! Let us make this a truly democratized social media.
Show threadMusafirNov 13, 2019

Hey @Saikatd I agree with you. Let's do away with both "shoulds and should nots"

And let it be. Whatever it is. Not pushing either experiences or expectations. And just explore this. Like a baby does.

Show threadKirtiNov 12, 2019
@Saikatd Thank you!
Show threadadheeth🐘Nov 12, 2019
@Saikatd I feel it's still good to have closed communities. Say Harry Potter fans wouldn't want LOTR fans in a closed group where they share and discuss HP. It doesn't make the members less aware of the impact and the fan base that LOTR has. Everything doesn't have to be hostile. Members are still open to read more books and new HP fans. Its our troll experience on bird site that makes us feel closed communities shut off others voice.
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@bull500 Of course. But if someone is not interested in Harry Potter, they would avoid the group anyway, wouldn't they? The idea is to build inclusivity by design.
Show threadadheeth🐘Nov 12, 2019

@Saikatd yes they should be free to do so as well too. I don't follow HP as much as I do starwars but I'm still free to interact with HP members or join as well or even comment on posts on places like reddit. AFK I have friends as well engaged in both Fandoms.

Yes there are certain groups that are exclusive but it could be because of online/offline hate and abuse. These exists in non virtual life as well.

First is to provide a safe place to interact and slowly the change starts.

Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@bull500 I believe, building an inclusive community by design, will also make it inherently safe. The only way I will really know, is by being part of something that is inclusive.
Show threadadheeth🐘Nov 12, 2019
@Saikatd if I'm not wrong democracy and a democratic country is something along those lines of design. Yet here we are, it'll take a long time for us all to be accepting of each other and engage constructively.
Show threadSandip Bhattacharya ☮️Nov 12, 2019

@Saikatd One more thing is about not repeating the obsession of metrics like followers count.

Rely on and accept organic growth. Stop asking for boosts to build your network.

Discover the fun in reconnecting to people you know from birdsite and let ppl discover you from either before or your content.

In short build a more meaningful network than before and find satisfaction on more intrinsic value like your content drawing people, than the connections you have.

Show threadKirtiNov 13, 2019
@sandipb Initial boost when you come onto the site is worth giving, beyond that is your choice. U can choose to interact, build new conversations meet new people. U might find that someone U initially followed is not suitable 4 all interactions but is good 4 maybe 1 or 2 or some; U may find interests changing. But important 2 come with an open mind, receptive, non confrontational, leave ur prejudices, privileges behind.. I find myself interacting with a more diverse set vs. twitter @Saikatd
Show threadKirtiNov 13, 2019
@sandipb Also don't make assumptions - hard to do, but can try... don't jump down ppls' throats, just because they have said something you disagree with/dislike. Ask for clarification. You will find people are far more tolerant, more open, more willing to explain their viewpoints here... But for that we have to be willing and open too, imho @Saikatd
Show threadPapa Shark Nov 12, 2019
@Saikatd Following you just for saying that everyone is good. On birdsite, I wouldn't follow people with a lot of people simply because they won't follow me back or even engage. Of course, I'm not saying you HAVE to do either, but as a late joiner to Birdsite, I felt the system was already gamed in favour of the early birds.
Show threadDushyant K. Mahant Nov 13, 2019
@Saikatd How about you both following me then? @sanjayuvacha
Show threadscgNov 16, 2019
@Saikatd I literally followed you after seeing different toots from you arguing in different directions on different issues. Most people seem to be either completely left wing or right wing. I’m looking for liberal voices that look at each issue separately rather than by which tribal camp
Show threadvarkychenNov 12, 2019
@Saikatd Birds of a feather flock together. This is largely true and just human nature. People move in herds, socialize in cliques and tend to gang up on new comers, making cost of entry high. It requires a bit of altruism (or incentive) to allow another person into this exclusive space.
Show threadvarkychenNov 12, 2019

@Saikatd We need to transcend this sort of tribal antagonism and follow others, especially those who may not be 'influencers' to beat this hegemony of elites.

Ironically, this is probably the same reason why RW people don't like liberals or rationalists. 

Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@varkychen Exactly. Had we followed a more inclusive approach, I suspect, we would have much lesser toxicity.Of course, with some toxic folks, you can't do much either way. 🙂
Show threadshirishNov 12, 2019
@Saikatd well said and articulated :)
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@shirishag75 Thank you
Show threadMODI❤HITLERNov 12, 2019
@Saikatd what I observed in this exodus is that people are replicating the same network structure #mastodon that they have build up in birdsite. so they're reinforcing the same birdsite values here minus the trolls.
Show threadSGNov 13, 2019

@Saikatd @milcom

IMO, nobody is taking away that agency, a recommendation is sort of like a tried-and-tested suggestion if you will. Today many of us are deprived of large volumes of spare time and/or energy. Having an FF saves me time & energy to actively look for ppl to follow.

Like in #Film birdsite communities, the FFs helped me discover a lot of cinephiles I wouldn't have otherwise.

Show threadBreakfast@CinemaNov 13, 2019
@Saikatd Very similar to how many of my students have told me they feel left out and ignored because the teachers always pick the same old people to represent the school in competitions.
Show threadsaikatdNov 13, 2019
@Shibangidas Absolutely. That's where the exclusion and the hurt starts
Show threadBreakfast@CinemaNov 13, 2019
@Saikatd And there also starts the attention-seeking angry behaviour, where they always feel victimised, even when that is not the case.
Show threadRkumar23Nov 13, 2019
@Shibangidas @Saikatd Is the school's goal to ensure maximum participation or to win things ? In the external competitions, i would rather send my best people everytime. However I can always limit a certain group from participation in internal competitions.
Show threadBreakfast@CinemaNov 13, 2019

@Rkumar23 I am not in a position to be answerable for the school, really. and it is not also the point of this discussion.

But I know what you're saying. Growing up, my school had a similar policy: not more than 3 inter-house competitions for any student.@Saikatd

Show threadSarkaaridoc Nov 12, 2019
@Saikatd Talking of echo chambers, here is a very interesting diagram on how various 'tribes' on the social media are virtually isolated, with almost no communication between them. But IMO even on a platform like Mastodon this will be inevitable.
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@sarkaaridoc I know. Hence the worry, and hence the change in behaviour (mine). I hope we can be a part of something different, this time around.
Show threadSarkaaridoc Nov 12, 2019
@Saikatd Yes, this is a 'fresh' platform, sans any mega-handles which drive the narratives like on Twitter, so it is a good place for the free flow of useful information, atleast till trolls and bots invade this space.
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@sarkaaridoc Can you share a link to this study?
Show threadSarkaaridoc Nov 12, 2019
@Saikatd Here
http://www.ctrl-verlust.net/digital-tribalism-the-real-story-about-fake-news/
Digital Tribalism – The Real Story About Fake News | ctrl+verlust

ctrl+verlust
Show threadsaikatdNov 12, 2019
@sarkaaridoc Thanks!