Adam ConoverEveryone is asking "What's the next Twitter going to be" and bemoaning the fact that the userbase is splintering. But splintering is a GOOD thing. The internet would be a lot healthier, more diverse, in instead of 3 or 4 dominant platforms, we had dozens or even hundreds of upstarts. Yes, centralization is convenient, but as we're seeing, it's also dangerous. If the result of the Twitter turmoil is to drive people to a more diverse, less convenient, less centralized web, I say AWESOME.
Seriously, the most fun I ever had online was in the years prior to 2008 - when instead of visiting just one or two huge sites over and over, I spent my days wandering from message board to personal site to proto-social network in search of cool people and cool stuff. If we move just 1% back in that direction - with people visiting Mastodon, AND Cohost, AND whatever the fuck other sites they like - I'll be very happy.
mekka okereke 
@adamconover
I hear that but... have you noticed that I'm the first Black person replying to this post?
I was online prior to 2008 too, and I have to tell you that those message boards weren't as fun for everyone.
If we're not very careful, decentralization reduces the effectiveness of social networks for driving social change. If the status quo works for you, that's a good thing! If it doesn't, then it's not.
Social networks as entertainment vs social networks as survival.