Chris TrottierThanks, but I don't write for "most people".
I write first for myself and my own enjoyment.
If it benefits anyone else -- bonus!
However, if it bothers you, oh well 🤷♂️
So I just don't understand why so many newbs like ⬆️ that guy seem so angry.
He's not the first guy like this. So what's going on?
Is it just the sentiment on Twitter right now?
All right, so the more I think about this, it seems there's a lot of folks who are reluctant Mastodon users -- and they really don't like the notion of a Fediverse.
They perceive the Fediverse as a nerd concern -- and they sure as hell aren't nerds!
However, despite that there's a plethora of Twitter clones on the Internet, you're here on the Fediverse.
You're here with the nerds.
Because the nerds built something. And the nerds are telling you how that thing they built works.
To those Twitter migrants who are generally pissed off about all this talk regarding the Fediverse:
We talk about it because it's critical information.
If you operate a car, you better know how the brakes work.
On the last social network you were on, you were essentially driving a car without breaks.
Mastodon, and other apps, have the equivalent of brakes. It's called "federation".
So I'm going to be especially nerdy right now. If you don't like it, tough.
Want to avoid yet another social network that crashes and burns?
Learn how federation works!
If an instance you're on is terrible, migrate to another.
If you're encountering trolls and neo-Nazis, block their entire instance.
If you want complete control over social media, start your own instance.
Federation: those are your brakes. Now don't crash your car!
If you're buying a car, check that the brakes work.
If you're joining a social network, check that federation works.
Every time you grumble about federation, I'm going to remind you that they're your brakes!
Robert A. Hill@atomicpoet Do you have any tips or further reading for people like myself that would like to mitigate the problems with federation on a small instance? My main pain point right now is not being able to get full conversation context because replies are not federated to my instance. This is further made difficult when remote instances require a sign-up to get this much needed context.
I have read some of the GitHub discussions about this, and it doesn't seem to be an uncommon problem for people who prefer to run their own instance either for privacy/control reasons or just for an identity management reason.
Thank you for teaching me a ton about how ActivityPub works over the past few days, by the way! I am technical, but still very new to this, and especially since my previous experience on the Fediverse was centered around "big" instances of popular Fediverse applications.
@robert Looks like your instance is new.
What I suggest:
1. Follow everyone you're actively interest in, and interact with them.
2. If you have a profile on a bigger instance, cross-post from your smaller instance
3. Give this time! Federation takes awhile to get going.
Oh yeah, I'm not giving up, I am here for the long haul and I know how to work around a lot of the issues. I am mostly trying to prepare for bringing my partner and family into this instance, and to have explanations for how this whole thing works to stem the frustration factor.
I am still working on building up my following lists, so I am sure that will help over time. I hadn't thought about using the larger instance profile as a way to crosspost to gain more federation contact points, I'll try that for sure.
Now that I think about it, I think a really solid option to help this issue is to bring in my partner at the least, her follows will help build the instance network and increase federation footprint as well.
@robert The great news is that once federation is more fully developed on your instance, it will be easier for everyone else who joins you.
♾️ Yuki (스노 雪亮) 🐬 🦣@robert Yep, those three points. When I used to run my own #Friendica and #Hubzilla instance, I also encountered the same thing. Had to find out how to get the context and as many replies of the thread, as possible.
@atomicpoet is spot on, have to let your own instance be aware of the other servers (by following, [others use a follow bot]). Also, point #2 is very useful. I used to have an account on every "flagship" server of each platform/software for cross-posting. LOL.
maddie (MOVED!) 
@atomicpoet elom musk's changes are like removing all of the mirrors on the car which you still were never taught how to drive and already didn't have breaks to begin with
Dam@mjdxp @atomicpoet And also making you pay to unlock the heated seats that were already installed in the car.
Cleo of Topless Topics@atomicpoet seriously. And if a post doesn't apply or interest you there's this revolutionary concept called... SCROLLING PAST IT, and not interacting with it at all. Somehting that requires a humbling of oneself that is antithetical to the typical Twitter mindset.
Autistic Book Club@atomicpoet I love the difference of #Mastodon !
The #nerd factor is a huge plus for me, I feel like I should always have been here, rather than the other place.
I am interested in the #fediverse
I find it fascinating.
#Twexit #newbie #ActuallyAutistic
@autisticbookclub Thank you 🙂
Jamie Cashin@autisticbookclub @atomicpoet i can so relate to your nerd factor comment
Jono Ferguson@atomicpoet I didn't take it as grumpy or whatever, just disinterested, they are here to talk to folks and medium is less important
@jonoabroad I don't believe they're disinterested. They were motivated enough to respond.
@atomicpoet true, possibly it comes back to the " you chose to follow me?"
Thanks for the reply and giving me pause for thought.
Brent Snavely@atomicpoet
I am so new I have no clue what the "Fediverse" is. I have zero opinion of it. What is it?
-yes, i am a Twitter refugee
I am so new I have no clue what the "Fediverse" is. I have zero opinion of it. What is it?
-yes, i am a Twitter refugee
@bsnavely Happy reading! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fediverse
@atomicpoet Thanks. That's a bit technical, but I get the essence of it.
Ignis 小火龙@atomicpoet Yes, you're right. There are a lot of Twitter users who feel forced to join the Fediverse, either due to friends moving to the Fediverse, or possibly if Twitter dies.
IMO that's gonna be stressful for both the "Mastodon locals" and "Twitter expats" which is rather scary.
Mastodon isn't a one-to-one Twitter replacement -- we should be saying this, to manage expectations.