There seems to be a sentiment circulating that the move from Twitter to Mastodon will make it harder for scholars in the Global South to access academic resources and networks.
Wouldn’t an open source and decentralized service like Mastodon actually increase access? Why should our global public sphere be controlled by one capitalist in the global North? Unless the implication is that GS scholars lack tech literacy, which is patronizing at best.
@smaran The challenge I see is that most older users (many of whom are senior academics) are too tired to hop over to yet another social media platform. They'll be more likely to switch off from social media altogether.
I suppose they might be persuaded to move eventually.
But until then, the Melon Melt has created a situation where GS scholars lose access to senior academics, journals, societies, and funding on Birdsite, but don't get that access back on Fediverse.
@smaran Just to be clear, I agree with you that in the long-term, the Fediverse has greater academic potential than Birdsite.
But I do suspect a lot of pain in between. Perhaps for years, as networks heal and regrow.
Edit: Sorry for sounding rather gloomy! This just happens to be a sore topic for me. I be a little better in my future posts :)
Smaran
Amogh Arakali