NatNov 6, 2022
Sheril Kirshenbaum

#Twitter is top down. ⬇️

#Mastodon is self-organizing. ↔️

Still lots of unknowns & we’ll see how it all shakes out over time, but IMHO a decentralized network likely fosters trust & relationships in a way Twitter can’t. And that feels more sustainable over time. (FWIW I study community sustainability).

Also, so far it’s more pleasant here for women. #TwitterMigration

Nov 6, 2022 at 5:33amWeb
Show threadTomas Bruno Choy 🐐🇨🇦Nov 6, 2022
@Sheril #twexit Tranquil here at Mastodon.
Show threadre-curseNov 6, 2022
@Sheril here's hoping it stays more pleasent in the future!
Show threadTVanhoof (hij/hem)(he/him)Nov 6, 2022
@infiniterecursion @Sheril
Keeping Mastodon women-friendly and thoroughly inclusive will mainly be up to us, the current residents, by not tolerating other behaviors!
Show threadJae BloomNov 6, 2022
@Sheril as a woman, especially a trans woman, I agree. I haven’t seen anyone attack me YET and I can literally ban an entire instance if a hoard of people comes or report the content.
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyNov 6, 2022
@OneJaeAtATime @Sheril One can be left alone and think about things other than defending oneself from the rabid anti-trans minority. Just... be. ❤️ it.
Show threadThe Drop Bear 2.0 Nov 6, 2022
@Sheril I will actually consider putting my photo up here and I introduced myself with my real (identifiable as a woman) name which I didn’t do on the other site
Show threadSheril KirshenbaumNov 6, 2022
@dropbear I've noticed more women I know are using their real photo. Hopefully the culture here stays inclusive & respectful.
Show threadJeremy Frost 🇮🇱🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Nov 6, 2022
@Sheril More pleasant for women? I’m a cis man, but I’m still happy to hear that. Let’s hope it remains that way.
Show threadMeguey-shaped bundle of bitsNov 6, 2022
@Sheril Love that point, thanks!
Show threadHenry GaudetNov 6, 2022

@Sheril Great to see optimism on the sustainability front, especially from someone who's not just guessing, so... thanks for that!

I admit I'm a little worried about how the model will scale with all the new interest (my own included). But I really am just guessing. How do you see this population boom affecting the #Mastodon environment?

Show threadMartijn van DijkNov 6, 2022

@Sheril It is more pleasant in general.

My understanding is that twitter optimizes for engagement. Any kind of outrage will drive engagement. This will cause shit to float to the top.

Show threadIAmSomeone2Nov 6, 2022
@Sheril Also...Twitter has one "location" only. Mastodon is one community made up of many "locations" (servers). It is possible to block an entire server (I believe).
Show threadIain FarrellNov 6, 2022
@Sheril I’m very excited to see where this federated future takes us all and for where these principles can take the internet. In the last 12 months I was increasingly depressed about the state of the open web. Now I’m excited about it and FOSS again.
Show threadKalenZeigerNov 6, 2022
@Sheril I'm interested to see how this shakes out, but think you are right and I think it will be nice for queer people too 💛
Show threadChristina HendriksNov 7, 2022
@Sheril it does feel safer for women! I have been really loving it.
Show threadJose GarciaNov 7, 2022

@Sheril Glad to hear it.

Because you're empowered (ie not controlled by algo) that fosters a sense of responsibility. And ultimately people have and incentive to police their own communities.

Show threadZubairNov 7, 2022

@Sheril Whilst researching #Mastodon, I came across your profile. I cannot remember where....

I very much liked what you were writing, so I had to follow. You were one of a few people mentioned in articles and all of them helped me make the decision to try out Mastodon. So far, I am very impressed.

Thank You from the UK

Show threadSheril KirshenbaumNov 8, 2022

@zubair I don’t know if those articles, but I do hope you have as positive an experience as I’ve been having for the past week.

So far it’s been a nice change.

Show threadShoq 🌿Nov 8, 2022
@Sheril Agree with all of that, especially the pleasantness. I've always wondered if FOSS cultures could really scale, bigly. I have a hunch we're about to find out.
Show threadarensbNov 8, 2022
@Sheril Equivalently: on Twitter, if I want you to see what I’ve written, it’s easiest to pay an advertising fee, and they’ll make it happen.
On Mastodon, I have to write something that you want to read.
Show threadColorblind CowboyNov 8, 2022
@Sheril I'm glad it's a better experience for women. I know personally I just feel less stressed after spending time here. And it's easier to self-manage the time I spend. In other words: Less distraction.