John AravosisSo, Mastodon just banned a post I made sharing a Newsweek article about the horrific crackdown in Iran. Yes, now Newsweek articles about the brave women in Iran are too much for you folks over here. Your community guidelines are actively harming marginal communities and the international human rights struggle. Just think about that, and think about the women in Iran, the next time you complain that it's too much to bear that some guy shared a Newsweek story.
I'm on the verge of publicly recommending that no one come over to Mastodon. Is there any server that isn't overrun by the always-offended crowd? We're talking folks who don't think all political posts are offensive, that food posts should be behind a trigger warning, and that posts sharing Newsweek article about the struggle of women in Iran aren't offensive and in need of deletion? Does any server meet these criteria?
Andrew Leahey@Aravosis 👋 https://esq.social for legal and legally-adjacent folks. I think we meet your requirements, provided one's political posts don't come with swastikas and prominently-featured eagles.
@andrew I am a lawyer, but I post nearly 100% about politics. So not sure Legal is accurate. Then again, whatever. I just can't handle all this drama over such silly complaints about important issues.
@Aravosis I understand, I don't exactly know why you were banned (or whatever) for a Newsweek link. Seems excessive. General-interest instances might not be a great fit, though. A lot of folks are looking to escape the politics they felt exposed to on the bird site and, right or wrong, are going to report you. Not saying it's the right move (muting works), but I think it'll be an ongoing thing.
@andrew One would think the journalist instance would be fine with political talk. But who knows. After being told it didn't really matter was server you get on, and now seeing what this service is actually like, I'd like some clear guidance before moving to another server and having to go through all this ridiculous drama all over again.
@Aravosis Understood. I have somewhat cringed at the advice that choice of instance doesn't matter. It doesn't from a technical standpoint, but it definitely does from a cultural one -- even value judgments aside. If I ran a knitting instance I wouldn't want to hear legal nonsense from someone like me. I think finding a smaller instance to land will do you better, good luck, there are positive interactions to have here.
Mister Moo 🐮@Aravosis @andrew "The instance doesn't matter" sounds like general advice that was more about getting people to stop trying to join the *biggest* instance, because it was under heavy load and *generally speaking* there's no need to make your server choice on size alone. For topical and cultural reasons the instance can matter, and you could get snagged on some servers if you share a a Newsweek story without a CW.
sandyknauer@Aravosis I had a similar experience, appealed, and won 'BACK' the full experience that I didn't realize that I had lost. Might be why I wasn't seeing my people or growing followers.
Matthew Abbott
Narwhal