Dr. Jorge Caballero

IMPORTANT POLL: I've received a few messages from long-time Fediverse accounts asking me to end the #fedified project.

These individuals are increasingly aggressive in their tone and tenor— bordering on bird site mansplaining trolls, tbh.

This project is a lot of work, and it seems to me that these individuals speak for a tiny fraction of persons on the Fediverse, but let's find out:

Should I keep updating the https://fedified.com list?

Yes
79.5%
No
20.5%
Poll ended at .
Fedified — Notable Twitter accounts on the Fediverse

Protecting public figures, journalists, creators, companies, and brands on the fediverse by verifying common ownership of Twitter Verified and Mastodon accounts

Mastodon 🤝 Twitter Verified ➡️ Fedified
Nov 10, 2022 at 6:36pmWeb
Show threadMon  🐘Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD please keep updating =(
Show threadRNov 10, 2022

@DataDrivenMD I'm not going to vote. You should do whatever you want, but don't let that kind of pressure influence you.

Is it worth your time?
Do people get value out of it?

These are the questions I would ask.

Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022

@tealcows The vote is meant to gauge whether people get value out of it. If people see value in it, then it's worth my time. If they don't then :shrug: no big deal. I've got better things to do.

So, please vote.

Show threadRandi Mayem SingerNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD @tealcows
You have every RIGHT to keep updating this list and offering it people who find it useful. And many of us DO find it useful. If people have an issue with it , they should ignore it. It's not harming anyone.
Show threadAlexNov 10, 2022

@rmayemsinger @DataDrivenMD @tealcows

I feel like this is the right messaging. Ultimately I think the drive is that we are disrupting their space. Which is true, but it's not bad. Things are still shaking out.

Show threadJoshua LanderNov 10, 2022

@DataDrivenMD It’s a tough one, to be honest. I really like what you’ve done — and it does help migrants find people here in the Fediverse… but in some ways it seems like a solution looking for a problem since it’s so easy to verify yourself here and there are already projects that port your Twitter follows to the Fediverse.

I definitely wouldn’t end it. And anyone being aggressive about this needs perspective!

Show threadRandi Mayem SingerNov 10, 2022
@josh @DataDrivenMD For me it was about finding people. It was not about "verifying myself. " But, again and again, MANY of us do not have websites to put codes on. I for one do not. But this was a secondary thing for me. I love having it find people I followed on the bird.
Show threadGatewood Green (Woody) 🌵🏜️ 🐾Nov 10, 2022

@DataDrivenMD I can't find where I read it, but if my memory serves, everyone on your list wanted to be on it.

I'm old, but their complaint still a little too much "get off my lawn" for me.

Show threadVictoriaNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD What are the main objections of those who stand opposed?
Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022
@victoria They boil down to "this isn't how we do things around here" ::shakes fist in air::
Show threadVictoriaNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD Could you expand a little?
Show threadGreg WasserstromNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I don't understand. what's the argument for ending this list project?
Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022
@gregw It boils down to "that's not how we do things around these parts"
Show threadGreg WasserstromNov 10, 2022

@DataDrivenMD lol. that's ridiculous. anyone can do anything any way. this is a decentralized open source platform! like wtf

like, if they want to make you move to some other instance or something that's one thing.

but to say that you can't maintain whatever list you want you want is *bananas*

Show threadGreg WasserstromNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD btw I voted No in the poll but it was an accident 😂
Show threadRandi Mayem SingerNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD Ignore them. This was predictable.
Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022
@rmayemsinger I would, except that some server admins are surreptitiously blocking the green link verification. If that's the case, then they should at least have the courage to tell the users on their instance that they're okay with being a haven for imposter accounts that impersonate notable public figures
Show threadRandi Mayem SingerNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I don't totally understand that, but I think my response (and that of those I follow) would be "who cares, keep updating the list anyway."
Show threadSerionNov 10, 2022
@rmayemsinger @DataDrivenMD is that the green check? I would like to move away from the blue check as it's remarkably similar to the birdsite. We're not that site and should have limited similarities.
Show threadWhat's it to you?Nov 10, 2022

@Serion @rmayemsinger @DataDrivenMD In the case of public personas, having an ability to prove they are responsible for their content would be of strong ethical interest.

Real-world harm could be caused by spoofing such people and their institutions.

Show threadSerionNov 10, 2022
@alltherum @rmayemsinger @DataDrivenMD I'm not saying no to verification, I just want to move away from the exact same visual as birdsite. Even if the admins use 🐘!
Show threadWhat's it to you?Nov 10, 2022
@Serion @rmayemsinger @DataDrivenMD Oh, that's an interesting idea. No arguments here (I am loving the clout-free timelines).
Show threadRandi Mayem SingerNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD DM'd you on the bird site.
Show threadtlcesqNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD as much as I’ve used/promoted these lists, I do understand the angst for those who may not know/wasn’t asked to be on them fearing wide distribution may bring out the wackos. I use them to follow for varied opinions on a wide range of topics to expand my horizons. But that may just be me.
Show threadJ Emory Parker 🏳️‍🌈Nov 10, 2022
@tlcesq @DataDrivenMD to be super clear in this case folks on this list have asked to be on it
Show threadCharles J Gervasi ⚡🛡️🥥Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I have no problem with the goal of it, but I don't see how your list affects people's profiles across all servers.
Show threadCharles J Gervasi ⚡🛡️🥥Dec 1, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I didn't understand a basic feature of Mastodon of verifying accounts. It was completely going over my head. Now I get it.
Show threadJeff GriggNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I'm new here, and I don't really understand the culture. But shouldn't this be up to the admins of the hosts they're on? Like, if an admin does not want to host <Some Celebrity>, shouldn't the admin ask the celebrity to "move on" -- to a more appropriate server?
Show threadbeesNov 10, 2022
@JeffGrigg @DataDrivenMD IMHO this is when custom instances come into play. Got a big audience? Create a strong structure for your platform.
Show threadbeesNov 10, 2022
@JeffGrigg @DataDrivenMD also chances are if you’re that big in the public eye you’ve got the resources to sustain an instance long term
Show threadUrsula100Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I agree with @rmayemsinger that the list could be used or not, it's entirely a personal choice. Personally, I like the idea of a vetted list. In addition, one of my instance mods kindly passed me a "fedibloc" list after I received an ugly antisemitic toot, so I could block servers known for hate speech, and it has made my Mastadon experience much better. Thanks for what you're doing!
Show threadGraham LesterNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD Seriously, the list is helpful to some people and not harmful to anyone. Keeping it is a no brainer.
Show threadEric J. KorpelaNov 10, 2022

@DataDrivenMD My only issue is the dependence on the already broken pre-elon twitter verification scheme.

I know a lot of people who had to try for years to get verified. I stopped trying after the first "we don't verify the unwashed masses, peasant" response.

Show threadFlavio Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD The functionality can be automated to a certain degree. There are services such as Id.me and Lexis-Nexis that can be used. The user would have to respond to certain questions or take certain actions. Unfortunately, this has a cost and would also have to be integrated into the Fediverse.
Show threadMicah Pollak ☃️Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD My humble two cents: I would try to be more understanding of the culture of this platform (which Twitter users are more or less invading). There are reasons an official "verified" system like what you are trying to create does not exist, and these reasons go beyond no one has done it yet. Based on my understanding, the whole idea of a "notable account" (much less verification) is antithetical to the goals of the platform.
Show threadautonomicNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD What exactly are they objecting to? How could this list be anything other than a universally Good Thing?
Show threadonryoNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD
Been here for about 4 years. There are a lot of authoritarian bullies on Mastodon. Antifa types. Ignore them.
Show threadLiferuler2001Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I think it’s a great idea, as a newb myself I’d love to know who I’m following is the same person
Show threadRickNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I don't get why they'd be opposed. If you don't want to see who is here don't look. It's that simple.
Show threadElena Pitini Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I made a mistake in voting,I thought you were asking to drop the project 🥲
Show threadBenjamin HendricksNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD you and I (and countless others) are refugees. Maybe take a moment before trying to rearrange the furniture
Show threadCheryll1950Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I don't even know what that is yet. So if the membership has jumped to a greater extent, I wouldn't be basing decisions until we all understand even what this means. Just a thought for your consideration. Because I have no idea how to answer the poll. Good luck. 😀
Show threadCharles GabaNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD Qhat exactly is their case for ending it? Honestly wondering…there could be a reasonable claim.
Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022

@charlesgaba It boils down to "that's not how we do things around here"

The other theme is "that's just clout-chasing," which as you and I know is a reductive take on verification.

Show threadej 🇨🇦  Nov 10, 2022

@DataDrivenMD @charlesgaba

I could understand objections to people being added to a list _without_ permission but in that case those complaining should be the ones who don't want to be on the list.

(I know there's a form for people to _request_ being added, I boosted it a few days ago.)

I see no reason for this sort of service to be a bad thing.

Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022
@eshornock @charlesgaba I'll even add that I've intentionally *not* made a downloadable version available because I didn't specifically ask permission to do so until yesterday. I still have to circle back to hundreds of persons to ask them if they want to be part of an import-friendly download.
Show threadej 🇨🇦  Nov 10, 2022

@DataDrivenMD @charlesgaba

I think you're doing a fine thing here, fwiw.

Show threadGinaNov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD this seems quite odd, to be attacking a data crunching scientist for organizing and crunching data for public consumption. I am a newbie, but I thought if they didn't like what others on the fedivers were doing, they could just block/ignore it. If they don't like how their server admin handles things, they can migrate to a new server or make their own. There's going to be growing pains, but ultimately, unless it is your server admin complaining, all they can do is whine at you.
Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022
@thekat03 And that's exactly what they've been doing. I've let it roll for a couple days now, but the last few messages I received were bird-site troll-worthy
Show threadPatrick C Miller Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD I used it, will use it again and recommend other use it. Keep this alive please.
Show threadAustin Chiang Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD applied ✌️
Show threadEmelia 👸🏻Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD i think perhaps the best thing you can do is encourage these people to add a link with rel="me" pointing to their mastodon profile from their official website, and then to link that on their profile.
Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022
@thisismissem I appreciate the suggestion, but that's a much, much higher technical barrier to entry than most realize. It's also a financial barrier to entry for many grassroots activists and grassroots non-profits.
Show threadEmelia 👸🏻Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD yup, the other thing you could do is have individual pages on fedified for people & include the rel="me" there, so they can link to their fedified in their profile
Show threadEmelia 👸🏻Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD that is, I'm not saying you should stop the list, but rather, we should encourage people to link from their official websites to the mastodon profiles & back to prove it; if possible, that cuts out the need for the third-party reliance as much
Show threadDr. Jorge CaballeroNov 10, 2022
@thisismissem that was actually +1 on my list, but I decided to get a feel for the pulse of the community before investing the time/energy to get that implemented.
Show threadEmelia 👸🏻Nov 10, 2022
@DataDrivenMD long term though, fedified shouldn't be needed, and we should have a verification layer of the web everyone can use in some way to verify they are who they say they are, I think — if they desire it. Keybase was close to this.