Julie Martin-BeaulieuDec 2, 2022
Qasim Rashid, Esq.

My twitter followers are jumping ship. My engagement is dropping rapidly. They changed the algorithm to force feed me right wing accounts. And white supremacy, Islamophobia, & antisemitism on Twitter are being defended as valid points of view.

By contrast this Mastodon community is igniting robust dialogue, respectful disagreement, and offers little comfort to racists and bigots.

This is what Twitter could’ve been, and I’m really hopeful this is what Mastodon continues to be. Thank you all.❤️✊🏽

Dec 2, 2022 at 4:29amMastodon for iOS
Show threadnadin brzezinskiDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid we are all noticing. I don’t have to go to 4chan to find this material. BirdChan is now in my rotation of hate sites
Show threadPhil LandmeierDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Yeah, that happened to me two weeks ago. All kinds of posts from people I don't follow like Don Jr and MTG. That was when I started reaching for the "jettison" button.
Show threadRobin from Colorado 🇺🇸🇺🇦Dec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid you may also be experiencing the people leaving twitter. Im sure the platform is pushing RW accounts but it’s also an exodus.
Show threadTrent  🇨🇦Dec 2, 2022

@QasimRashid Agreed. I'm finding way more engagement with my 2 week old Mastodon account than I ever did with Twitter.

And for now, no bots and the tedious right wing trolls. (I don't mind alternative viewpoints, but enough with the shitposting.)

Show threadJames Fields Dec 2, 2022
@trentbaur @QasimRashid agreed. Dialog is important death threats and hate posting are never appropriate.
Show threadPhil AllsoppDec 2, 2022
@trentbaur @QasimRashid Me too! A saner place
Show threadMyrha Cheval 🦆Dec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Thank *you* for joining us here. Not everyone is willing to make the switch.
Show threadPhilip NelDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid @Myrha Agreed. Glad you’re here. I’ve deleted my Twitter. Wish other would come over here too. (Why continue supporting a platform that welcomes insurrectionists, white supremacists, & other agents of violence & hate?)
Show threadPhil AllsoppDec 2, 2022
@philnel @QasimRashid @Myrha With you on all points there
Show threadLeft EyeDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid The algorithms there are definitely changing hugely. I'm now constantly seeing tweets from people I've never heard of, never interacted with. All very right wing too.
Show threadJustMike🌈Dec 2, 2022

@QasimRashid

Elon is extending the light of consciousness.

What--you can't see that!

Yeah, I too packed up & left. Welcome, you'll like it here.

Show threadSD Liz RoguestyleDec 2, 2022
Agreed! My mail requests r ridiculousLy SPAM now @QasimRashid
Show threadGorrckDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid my twitter feed went from birds and cute mammals to Gym Jordan and Marsha Blackburn 24/7. Happy to follow you here.
Show threadSammy G 🇨🇦☕🍸Dec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Why are you still on Twitter then? What's keeping you there? I'm not trying to be confrontational - I genuinely am curious. I deleted my account weeks ago and truly feel more mentally healthy.
Show threadQasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 2, 2022
@sammyg I’ve been in there 13+ years and it’s still my largest platform. I still interact with clients, media, and politicians via Twitter. Not as easy to simply delete. Will take time. But I’m continuing my engagement here.
Show threadCAmanDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid keep it coming! We’ll make Mastodon better than Twitter could ever have imagined!
Show threadCanidaeDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid
I like it here.
Show threadStan DiegoDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid I downloaded my tweets, then scrubbed my account and just deleted the app from my phone. It's a race to the bottom over there. All things must pass.
Show threadPaul AtkinsonDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Your participation here can only help.
Show threadgeoffreygevaltDec 2, 2022

@QasimRashid Welcome.

So sorry you experienced what you did on Twitter. Not surprised, but sad nonetheless. I'm glad you're experience here is more respectful & robust.

This reminds me of when II started a site for young writers in 2006. We (the kids and I) established a one-word rule to guide behavior: Respect. The kids followed that, were relieved by it and flourished, proving that when given choice kids would rather be civil. Same holds true with adults. Be well.

Show thread@Lee_in_IowaDec 2, 2022
@gg @QasimRashid This remind me of a group of children flocking into our back yard to play, when my son was little. One of the girls said, “I’m going to play here, because you can’t hit me here.” We’re allowed no hitting, no meanness, and all toy guns had to be set by the gate and left there for the duration. 🛝
Show threadgeoffreygevaltDec 2, 2022

@Lee_in_Iowa @QasimRashid

Lee, we should get adults together and have them play in your back yard.

I agree with another commenter that having people use their real names DOES work, but the biggest thing is to have the community support the idea of mutual respect. And, often, ignoring trolls entirely (not responding, muting or blocking them) is the best solution for those miscreants who would rather act like a rabid fox than a human.

Show threadRyan PollardDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Glad you're here.
Show threadCoastalCoastingDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Have you decided about leaving Twitter entirely, so as to not support and enrich him and those policies?
Show threadNomdebDec 2, 2022

@QasimRashid Have you read this article about Mastodon? It's worth a read. :)

"Mastodon is not an ad-driven platform. There is absolutely zero incentives to let awful people run amok in the name of engagement. The goal of Mastodon is to build a friendly collection of communities, not an attention leeching hate mill. As a result, most Mastodon instance operators have come to a consensus that hate speech shouldn’t be allowed."

https://escapingtech.com/tech/opinions/i-was-wrong-about-mastodon-moderation.html

I Was Wrong About Mastodon – EscapingTech

I said that Mastodon moderation wouldn't scale, it does. The cultural differences will likely continue to maintain a friendlier atmosphere regardless of size.

Show threadAlex Kintner’s MomDec 2, 2022
@nomdeb @QasimRashid this is a quality read 😲👍
Show threadAuntie DenierDec 6, 2022
@AlexKintnersMom @nomdeb @QasimRashid agree—it is also a great explainer about the ecosystem of mastodon!
Show threadDanniDunnDec 3, 2022
@nomdeb @QasimRashid so great to see you on this platform. I did a happy dance when I found you.
Show threadOlavDec 2, 2022

@QasimRashid I use linear timeline there, and it's definitely slowing down for me. Not more crap, just fewer engaging posts (I'm also a small account). Basically all that's useful still is news and weather.

Definitely more meaningful dialog here, and a lot more egalitarian so far

Show thread@Lee_in_IowaDec 2, 2022
@olavf @QasimRashid But here you can curate your own experience by finding and following the news and weather. Feel free to crib off my “notes”, as my Following list includes a slew of news commentary, tho I only reach for liberal voices. Admittedly I’m just as hooked on the fine photography and art, so those folks are also in that list. Pick a bunch and make your own “feed”.
Show threadSuzanne StephensDec 2, 2022
@Lee_in_Iowa @olavf @QasimRashid I hope that invitation is open to me too!
Show thread@Lee_in_IowaDec 2, 2022
@suzstephens @olavf @QasimRashid Absolutely! I hope to see most of my Bird community joining us here, and tho I follow back here as I did on Twitter (So lots of new peeps), there should be plenty of names you recognize among my Followings.
Show threadSuzanne StephensDec 2, 2022
@Lee_in_Iowa @olavf @QasimRashid Well the weird thing is that when I checked who you’re following, I seem to be following every single one. I didn’t have time to check the whole list but still thought it was odd that all I checked were matches. What are the odds?
Show threadSteveDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid I'll still go on #Twitter (with my ad blocker on) because I rely on it as a source for information, but I am no longer posting there. No thanks. Elon's clearly turning that place into an alt-right cesspit, since those are the only kind of dorks who won't immediately cringe at his corny mid 2000s era posts. The Twitter algorithm is dead now, unless you like constantly getting updates from Tim Pool and Mike Cernovich. So yeah, #RIPTwitter.
Show threadPADogMomDec 2, 2022
@ThatSteveGuy @QasimRashid
I'm kind of in the same place. I periodically pop in to see what's trending (but lately it seems like a lot of the same old thing...) but I don't engage there anymore. I'm happy to see a lot more dialog and a lot less name calling here. It's refreshing.
Show threadDr. SteveDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid 😏
Show threadSydney HarperDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid I have found Mastodon to be a pleasant, welcoming surprise.
Show threadThrough My EyesDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid let's hope this continues to be a conscious, constructive, and healthy community. So far so good!
Show threadBekindtoallanimalsDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid just followed you here in wonderful Mastodonia!
Show threadlobsterDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid You iz welcome. medals, medallions and trophy hussy bands C/o #LobsterMastodonAwards
Show threadLacesDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid
It's a sinking ship over there.
Show threadcowvinDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Sorry, I bailed on Twitter as soon as Musk took over. I'm glad you came over here too so I can follow you here instead.
Show threadPeggyJoan ☮️💙🌈🐶Dec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid
I agree. Down to a few minutes daily on the bird, and it's only to check on friends with health issues.
Admittedly, I contributed to the vitriolic culture which resulted in being filled with rage, anxiety and shame.
I am enormously relieved and excited that I found Mastodon! Am feeling a culture of goodwill, acceptance and non-judgment, and I will do my part so that Mastodon stays this way.
Show threadSatchmausDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid glad to follow you!
Show threadLillianDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Thanks for being on this site here. 👏👏👏👏
Show threadᴚ uɐᗡDec 2, 2022

@QasimRashid well put.

and there's no murky VC concerns, or weird micro-payments. it's pretty great.

regarding the birdsite: nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowder...

Show threadKimberlyDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Glad to have found you here & agree, it feels so much better. Back to normal people having interesting, thoughtful conversations. Elmo’s Twitter makes me feel like I’m supporting the worst people on Earth by giving them any engagement. No thanks. I’m out.
Show threadmagnumjaguarDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid I hope this will be a better community. I still don't get some features. For example the DM. Are they like messenger on facebook or everyone can see it?. Thanks and good luck, also I miss myspace. Yes im that old
Show threadPADogMomDec 2, 2022
@magnumjaguar @QasimRashid
I'm still trying to figure it out too, LOL!
Show threadSir LoinstakeDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid It is refreshing to have a civil discourse is it not?
Show threadCes't La VieDec 2, 2022

@QasimRashid I agree entirely, whilst I still use #twitter, I find myself on #Mastodon more and more.

Twitter is fast becoming a poor copy of #truthsocial and if you have ever waded into that cesspit, you feel dirty afterwards.

Show threadJames Fields Dec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid this is exactly why I jumped ship from Twitter. That and Elon saying we liked the drama and would leave kinda meant we had to leave to prove that’s not why we were there. If he wants to live in a $44 billion silo, he’s welcome to it.
Show threadAron Cody-BoutcherDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Well said. Just uninstalled twitter myself.
Show threadBookwormlitDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid Thank you!
Show threadAtheist ArtDec 2, 2022
@QasimRashid
This is what I used Twitter for, for perhaps two years. Daily engagements with reasonable folks who interacted in a generally civil manner.
An open forum where people could share observations, links, video, pics, and ideas.