/1
Still trying to understand what makes #Mastodon so unique from other #SocialMedia platforms?
A lot of people talk about the atmosphere but it's more direct than that. I'd like to share a little of my first few incredible weeks here:
The first thing I noticed was a big empty timeline and no #algorithm there to shove celebrity accounts down my throat.
Then I discovered how #hashtags are a critical way of indexing content, honed in some searches, and immediately started finding REAL people 👇
/2
I follow literally hundreds of subjects, and in the past social media did nothing to bridge the gap between me and the real experts on #complex topics.
But on Mastodon I was literally having conversations with everyone from known public figures, to #academics, researchers, and #authors within hours.
I had a cool conversation with a #CellBiologist and learned a ton about #mitochodria
Talked documentation change control policies with a #systems #librarian
And it only got better from there👇
/3
I've been a pretty prolific #Flipboard (@flipboard) #curator for about 10 years, and with 100k+ followers, I've tried to leverage or integrate some kind of community. I never figured how to manipulate the other platforms to get anywhere with it.
But through #Mastodon I easily found @janettespeyer , another stellar curator, who introduced me to a whole new community of curators I never knew existed.
The funny part is, I've been so engrossed in toots I've had little curation time left over.👇
/4
Also as a long time #musician #guitarist the other platforms got me nowhere. The best #musical #projects I've ever been involved in were always adhoc, improv affairs. Trying to do something like that online had failed me.
Yet here, no more than 60 seconds after I ask about #MusicCollaboration I get an invitation from the amazing @cambraca, admin of musicians.today & brain behind the #MastoMusicCollab project. An hour later and I was plugged into the project & man, I'm excited about it! 👇
/5
This does not even begin to cover the hundreds of other great people I've come across, with only one remotely 'tense' interaction with someone who summarily dismissed me😄
To be honest I was relieved to be reminded that no matter where you go, people are still going to be (and should be!) people, without exception
I don't have to understand the #Fediverse mechanics to understand how they've relatively easily put me in the driver's seat of my own #algorithm
Just one last toot & I'll finish 👇
/6
I'll make anyone this offer:
If you're having trouble finding you're "peeps" - not the old bird-site people, there are tools for that. I'm talking about the kinds of content or interesting people with interesting things to say on things you love. People you may have never heard of.
Important Nobodies, just like you and I are.
I'll be happy to help see if we can't find them together. The power of #democratized #grassroots social media starts just like that, beyond instances
A.W.Ford, the Curious Curator