Richard LittlerNov 18, 2022
People grumbling that #Mastodon is slow at the moment... You just turned up with 1 million people in a tiny, rural village and you're complaining there's a queue to get into the only tearoom, which is run by gay pensioners Babs & Maureen as a retirement hobby on Mons-Weds. Relax!
#TwitterMigration
Show threadRichard LittlerNov 18, 2022
To my new followers: You will experience delays as both a new signup (email delays) & an existing user (slow service; inability to load images, etc). It will settle down. Patience will be required. Remember, Mastodon is run by volunteers. It's not corporate & is still in the process of upscaling.
kypelloNov 19, 2022
Show threadRichard Littler
Mastodon is different. It's polite and friendly. There's a different code of conduct (please look up some of the basics), a slower pace. It's not a sprawling, hectic shopping centre in a grim industrial park on the city rim; it's a pleasant village street with artisanal shops and cafes. Take your time. Be nice.
Nov 18, 2022 at 10:33amWeb
Show threadDeanJeanNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler
Being on Mastodon for the past few days and it reminded me of the friendliness of the earlier days of the Internet, before *coughs* forced engagement, and *coughs* metrics. It's nice to feel heard and seen, and to reciprocate naturally to that. I don't mind the slowness.
Show threadJean-Philippe Nov 18, 2022
@djphng @Richard_Littler its got an IRC/BBS/Forums vibe, right?
Show threadDeanJeanNov 18, 2022
@JeanPhilippe @Richard_Littler Yes! Just that the IRC chats all happen simultaneously at once.
Show threadOblomovNov 19, 2022

@djphng @Richard_Littler

I mean, the old internet also had trolls and flamewars and whatnot, but it was much more of a local phenomenon. The biggest fault of the Big Socials has been to pump up the scale of these to worldwide.

Show threadDeanJeanNov 19, 2022

@oblomov

Oh yeah, they were part of the lnternet landscape back then too. It's an inevitable part of the commentary and exchanges on the web. But it's increasingly difficult to get a conversation, or any dialogue going on a neutral level without getting personally attacked or canceled. So socialising becomes a loaded process, where you figure out that its pointless, exhausting and keep your thoughts to yourself. At least that's how the bird site felt to me.

Show threadDeanJeanNov 19, 2022

@oblomov

I feel (personally) that the Big Socials should be accountable for trying to maximise that effect.

Show threadOblomovNov 19, 2022

@djphng @Richard_Littler

Big Social: «accountable? us? for anything? bwuhawuhawuha»

(Joking aside, the inner structure of those things is designed for avoidance; just look at how FB is defending from the privacy violations)

Show threadDeanJeanNov 19, 2022

@oblomov

Well, they can't blame the Mass Twitter Exodus then. 😂

That's just disturbing, really. You've just reminded me of this New Yorker interview...

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/09/17/can-mark-zuckerberg-fix-facebook-before-it-breaks-democracy

Show threadRep Rap Ryn :3Nov 19, 2022

@oblomov @djphng @Richard_Littler outrage = engagement = money.

Getting folks depressed and doom scrolling makes money

I haven't been doom scrolling here

Show threadAlexandraSamuel.com🇨🇦🇺🇸Nov 19, 2022

@djphng @Richard_Littler 100%!! I am really really trying not to look at follower counts (mine or others), boosts etc but I swear a lobe of my brain has been permanently colonized and it’s like my brain now conflates metrics with love.

The really disturbing thing is to see this mirrored back by our teen (who has grown up listening to me + my husband share our viral moments). Whenever one of their Instas blows up they have to tell us the exact number of likes every hour. AND IT’S ALL OUR FAULT.

Show threadDeanJeanNov 19, 2022

@awsamuel

@Richard_Littler

Exactly. It's such a fucked up phenomenon, how did it end up becoming like that? I've made friends and acquaintances through these social media sites, and there was a genuine sense of connection in the early days. Now its people posting lots of content, just for the sake of engagement.

I know right? The IG likes are like serotonin riggers, I can't blame you at all. I can't count the number of times I've deleted and reinstalled the app...

Show threadDaphne 🆒Nov 19, 2022
@awsamuel @djphng @Richard_Littler Omg... I work at a youth centre, and this week two of the girls were comparing and showing off their tiktok follow counts and it made me so sad!!
Show threadAlexandraSamuel.com🇨🇦🇺🇸Nov 20, 2022
@daphne @djphng @Richard_Littler ouch! and also so super common.
Show threadminnastiinaNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler my experience so far: it's more social, like an actual social media. Very interesting experience, even if confusing.
Show threadWij ✨Nov 18, 2022
@minnastiina I saw people interacting in a good way.. they do discuss for best.. 🤩
Show threadThecolouroffireNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler give it a few weeks.
Show threadWij ✨Nov 18, 2022
@Thecolouroffire Or maybe months. Who knows 
Show threadKen HumphreysNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler "it's a pleasant village street with artisanal shops and cafes. Take your time. Be nice." - fantastic simile.
Show threadVPPublishingNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler I'm finding it so much less stressful than Twitter, and so much easier to keep track of things too! It's just...nice and I hope it stays this way. Babs and Maureen have been doing a lovely job.
Show threadMartiniFrenzyNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler can we do swears as long as it's not at somebody else?
Show threadJoe ❌👑Nov 19, 2022
@SianDodwell @Richard_Littler Fuck, yes, that's what the CW is for.
Show threadGuy JamesNov 19, 2022
@SianDodwell @Richard_Littler
fuckin' a we can 😋
Show threadT.A. WalkerNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler Mastodon actually does remind me a bit of the village I live in, except there are a few less mobility scooters on the back roads.
Show threadDigitalap3Nov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler it would also do well to remind ppl that there are so many other Mastodon servers as well as alternate platforms (I'm on a self hosted instance of the misskey fork Calckey for example). The Internet Archive just set up an instance as well as Vivaldi, known for their browser and even MIT. The problems you describe are bc so many folks are going to mastodon.social, a single instance in an ocean of them.
Show threadDigitalap3Nov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler Also referring to this space as Mastodon is a bit like calling email Gmail. You're in the Fediverse! Doesn't that sound so much cooler?!
Show threadMae McKinnonNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler as one of the 1 million, *brings* 🍵 and 🍰 then goes to sit in a corner with a book.
Show threadSueNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler it's like a warm hug on a winter's day
Show threadBen AndrewsNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler all I want is to find a few accounts that post news and updates for tv, culture, etc, for the UK. I think then I'll be happy to scroll on here over Twitter.
Show threadQNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler wait till everyone else shows up 😃
Show threadStormNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler this is why I get the feeling it's not going to fully take off on a mainstream level. Not enough drama/toxicity and people's short attention spans may not have the patience to absorb the way it works
Show threadParamiNov 18, 2022
@6Stringzing @Richard_Littler good
Show threadEmily KinsellNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler
Thanks for the explanation. Today is the first day I’m feeling capable on here. 🤝
Show threadHelenaNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler - the little I have seen and looked at is stress free for me 😍 and at 69 that is much appreciated...
Show threadFiona ClarkeNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler g'morning Richard, I love the description of Mastdon... give me the simple quiet respectful life any day!
Show thread#boatlife Nov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler I like that I can check Mastadon only once or twice a day and be involved. With most others, you have to live on your phone or you miss everything that’s happened.
Show threadC12H22011Nov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler great metaphor to describe it. However, still hard to change the mind set that Twitter got us used to.
Show threadHolly 🇨🇦Nov 18, 2022
@SweetAdmixture @Richard_Littler Agree. It took me a bit to get used to the lack of constant drama. But now that I am, I’m not going back.
Show threadQanno - Nov 19, 2022

@SweetAdmixture @Richard_Littler I've seen people from the recent #twittermigration interact in a distinct way here. Still used to the 200ish char limits they throw more punchlines and unwaranted passive aggressive responses.

Best solution? Be kind, tell them there's no need for this and we'll cut 'em some slack cause they're new.

Once they understand they're safe and can let their guard down, they all become the best version of themselves again. 

Show threadSnopNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler Those artisanal shops all have accessible doorways too. I’m trying to remember to always capitalise each word in a hashtag & to add text to any pictures I post. It’s only fair, this place was built to be accessible to all. I want to keep it that way.
Show threadJodie TurnerNov 18, 2022
@SWSnop13 @Richard_Littler ditto!
Show threadRob WilliamsNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler that would be reassuring but pretty sure there is no road to making this thing perform adequately, sounds like you like slow which is great..👍
Show threadJames BoagNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler It's a breath of fresh air, lets not spoil it.
Show threadThe Halloween PageNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler I’m definitely in agreement! Mastodon’s narrow cottage lanes and flower-lined roads are very welcoming. It’s like an entirely new rural village to explore! And I imagine a spooky Victorian haunted house in the distance just waiting for me to set up shop… 🎃🎃🎃
Show threadTed RooleyNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler I’m here too now
Show threadHoward Luks MDNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler early twitter was similar… remember it fondly.
Show threadLeft EyeNov 18, 2022
@Hjluks @Richard_Littler Let's hope we can work collectively to keep it as it currently is.
Show threadAnde JacobsonNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler Excellent advice. 🙂
Show threadWinona Kent, author 🇨🇦Nov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler Sort of reminds me of Twitter in the olden days when we were all shiny and new (around 2009) and everyone really was polite and friendly and it was slower and very pleasant. A bunch of birds sitting in a tree chattering away.
Show threadThe FrogNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler and as you said in the other place, it's like "1 million people flocking in small village queueing at the only tea room owned by a retired lady opening 3 days a week!"
Show threadMarkRNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler You forgot it also has nice pubs and a village duckpond
Show threadLilacmonkey Miniature ModelsNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler nicely put, and sounds just about right.
Show threadPellNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler i love this 
Show threadIndependent ClarityNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler allo! I read a bit about things before signing up, I have a computer lying idle at home I'd like to see it will qualify to be a server. Any advice or tips on where to read about the requirements?
Show threadJoshua PotterNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler PERFECT description of the vibe here. So far, for me, it’s been a night-and-day difference between #mastodon & #twitter …
Show threadLisa 4 Social JusticeNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler this is a lovely description 🙏🏻
Show threadDavid MorganNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler and you know what that means @ketamihn. Scones and tea.
Show threadJoseph George ANov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler I hunch that the response to stimulus is regulated on the slow circuits in our brains on Mastodon. Maybe a neat experiment for the neuroscience scholars who love transitions between the city and the countryside. 'Take your time' may seem so uninteresting to those headed for the red planet on blue ticks. Did I think that too fast?
Show threadTiredInORNov 18, 2022

@Richard_Littler
And this is why I'm starting to dig it, even though I haven't found my people, yet. It's very #SlowLife (#IYKYK) and it's growing on me.

I just hope my fellow #Twitter escapees don't come over here and shit all over everything (like when a bunch of ill-mannered yuppies move to a quaint, quiet town and ruin it for everybody, including the insufferable seasonal tourists that the local residents love to hate and hate to love). 😬

Show threadnicolaNov 18, 2022
@Richard_Littler Yours are the first posts in my feed and what a lovely warm hug of a post this one this is. Happy to have finally worked out how to be here.