Jason Evangelho 🐧🎒Nov 7, 2022

Mastodon is really having a moment in mainstream news coverage. CNN, BBC, TIME, etc.

The influx of users will continue at an alarming rate. Remember to be welcoming, and kind, and positive, and helpful.

This isn't just an opportunity to improve the idea of social media, it's an opportunity to shine a wonderful light on #opensource.

Show thread🌲Nov 7, 2022
@killyourfm What's funny is that the mainstream media is only talking about the "Mastodon network" and seem to be completely ignorant of the existence of the Fediverse at large
Show threadJason Evangelho 🐧🎒

@scathach They'll get there. This is a predictable cycle when "new" tech emerges. A rush to be included in the coverage, with surface-level information.

The nuanced coverage will come, hopefully.

It's great exposure though!

Nov 7, 2022 at 7:02pmWeb
Show thread🌲Nov 7, 2022
@killyourfm Eh, so far it seems like this exposure has just brought an influx of Twitter ghouls with their weird obsession over clout and desire to control other people
Show threadArcana  Nov 7, 2022
@scathach @killyourfm I don't really think we need or want "exposure", I like that this is a niche out of the way place for fellow oddballs, I don't want it overran with normies
Show threadJason Evangelho 🐧🎒Nov 7, 2022

@Arcana @scathach *Nods* I understand where you're coming from.

Speaking only for myself, I WANT people to come here and discover how awesome it is when social networks aren't controlled by megacorps and billionaires.

But I also recognize that scenario means a lot of the toxicity could come with it.

So, what to do?

Show threadArcana  Nov 7, 2022
@killyourfm @scathach I mean I think the way these people are is a huge part of the problem. It's just a completely different paradigm. A lot of these people want reach and a paraosocial relationship with their followers, I think this places is more suited to friendship and community. I don't want that ruined
Show threadJason Evangelho 🐧🎒Nov 7, 2022

@Arcana @scathach I'd like to believe people can unlearn some of the habits and behaviors and expectations that have been beat into their heads by social media.

But I'm always trying to be an optimist.

I mean, I'm one of them. I catch myself saying words like "users" instead of "people." Until recently I had my employer, past employers, and my job role in my Masto bio instead of just...stuff I really love.

Show threadArcana  Nov 7, 2022
@killyourfm @scathach But the thing is the reason why they are so disruptive to the community isn't due to other social media affecting them, it's just how they are as people. I'm thinking of the clout chasers who seek popularity and financial gain above community, that's their personality, not a trait they got from social media

Maybe some will adapt and I welcome that, but the majority essentially want what they had but without an arbitrary figure they find unpleasant behind the reigns

If you're optimistic that's fine, but it's not something I share I'm afraid, I like this place the way it is
Show threadJason Evangelho 🐧🎒Nov 7, 2022
@Arcana @scathach Well, the thing is... I can't find any counter-argument to what you've said here.
Show threadChristyNov 7, 2022
@killyourfm @scathach @Arcana I can imagine, after we get through the cortisol hangover of addiction to combative sorrow, we won’t have it in our house. It will be so lame we won’t want to bother- just block (and report).