DoodleDadDec 19, 2022
Ryan Schultz

#JohnMastodon is proof that things *CAN* go viral here on Mastodon, but the key is that *YOU* are the algorithm. The reason that the John Mastodon meme showed up on other people's timelines is because so many users boosted the posts.

The lesson here is: please don't just favourite something if you really enjoyed it; BOOST it so that other people can enjoy it, too! This is the only reason why I bother to create as large a social graph as I can on Mastodon—to act as an amplifier. You can, too!❤️😉

Dec 18, 2022 at 5:04pmWeb
Show threadRyan SchultzDec 18, 2022
Also:
Show threadretnapDec 18, 2022

@ryanschultz

yoink this is goin in my meme box

Show threadCybercookieDec 19, 2022
@ryanschultz yup that’s right
Show threadRiley S. FaelanDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz: This is an old photo of John, before his transition, though. Most newer pictures clearly show him having been on testosterone for a while, and having grown a full beard.
Show threadDisco SexualDec 18, 2022

@riley
@ryanschultz
I heard John Mastodon actually invented beards or at the very least popularised them.

Sorry I've got to stop

Show threadRiley S. FaelanDec 18, 2022
@bezorp @ryanschultz: But if you stop, who will get John Mastodon Facts started?
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyDec 18, 2022
@riley @bezorp @ryanschultz I would suggest searching #JohnMastodon the facts are out there.
Show threadMontanareddogDec 18, 2022
@bezorp
Not just beards, but artisanal coffee and sleeve tattoos. Is there any limit to the achievements of #johnmastodon ?
Show threadJohn MastodonDec 18, 2022
@Montanareddog @bezorp I cannot take all the credit
Show threadJohn MastodonDec 18, 2022
@bezorp @riley @ryanschultz mustaches actually
Show threadComfortably NumbDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz
Show threadGrae HallDec 18, 2022

@ryanschultz Damn right they can go viral, we can engage between instances, we can favourite, but as importantly we can follow and especially boost! We can share memes, we can even create our own versions of John Mastodon memes.

Oh, hey, speaking of, here's one I spent half a day working on to prepare earlier!

Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyDec 18, 2022
@HallGrae @ryanschultz there's a #JohnMastodon meme if ever I saw one! Good job!
Show threadGrae HallDec 18, 2022
@Homebrewandhacking @ryanschultz Thanks mate! I worked super hard on it, that's Aaron Rupar on the far left, and there's the Mastodon brand on the front wrist of John Mastodon's gauntlet. Took me a while to get this good at photoshop, like, decades.
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyDec 19, 2022
@HallGrae @ryanschultz wow... it's actually so good I didn't notice. I guess you deserve to ah "toot" your own horn. :D :D :D
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyDec 19, 2022

@HallGrae @ryanschultz

I hope more people get to see the artistry of your meme!
#assassinsCreed #assassinsCreedCoordinates
#ElonMusk
#AaronRupar

Show threadBlort™ 🐀Ⓥ🥋☣️Dec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz #WeAreJohnMastodon
Show threadMajestic_SlothDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz I've said this before, but on twitwit I always felt immediately behind the times when it came to memes and inside jokes, it's so much fun to be in on the joke for once!
Show threadPaul DouglasDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz Engagement is so much better here as a result too, I have way less followers but my engagement has been much better than I generally saw on Twitter because I’m not swimming against the algorithm for people to even see things.
Show threadMister ShadeDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz That #johnmastodon sure sounds like a rad guy. I hear he killed Wolfman Jack with a trident!
Show threadJohn MastodonDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz dont forget, #cats are also the #algorithm 
Show threadMarcel FröhlichDec 18, 2022

@ryanschultz be careful what you wish for. This infra is not designed for whales spreading memes.

https://mastodon.ar.al/@aral/109315412776960105

Aral Balkan (@[email protected])

Is the fediverse about to get Fryed? (Or, “Why every toot is also a potential denial of service attack”) https://ar.al/2022/11/09/is-the-fediverse-about-to-get-fryed-or-why-every-toot-is-also-a-potential-denial-of-service-attack/ CC @[email protected] @[email protected] #fediverse #mastodon #stephenFry #gretaThunberg #smallTech #smallWeb

Aral’s Mastodon
Show threadJordan “Yordan” WightDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz Yeah, no. I specifically *do not* boost/share things because I want people to follow me for stuff I myself post. When I follow someone, I want to see stuff they specifically post, not just boosts from other accounts.
Show threadRDS (shawphd on Twitter)Dec 18, 2022
@yordansic @ryanschultz You can turn off boosts from individuals in your settings.
Show threadMudManDec 18, 2022

@ryanschultz But I don't wanna. What's the point of having "an amplifier"?

I mean, I'm on an anonymous account. My job doesn't require massive social reach.

And of course I'm a single person who can only ever interact with one person at a time. Why would I ever want to get boosted far and wide instead of just... you know, talking to people for a bit?

Show threadMihai²Dec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz a favorite doesn't boost it? you mean reblog? what counts as boosting?
Show threadMorgan MitchellDec 18, 2022
@mihai673 @ryanschultz Seconded. I would like to know too.
Show threadMoushidoodlesDec 18, 2022
@mihai673 @ryanschultz reblogging ^^ favoriting/liking is nice but it doesn't get more eyes on the post like reblogging/boosting does
Show threadCalebShopsDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz what does boost mean? I hate learning new socials I always ge lot so darned confused
Show threadRDS (shawphd on Twitter)Dec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz @calebshops Boost publicly shares a post with other people.
Show threadpeople over profitDec 18, 2022
@shawrd773 @ryanschultz @calebshops This feels like the ultimate dumbass newb question but I’m putting it out here anyway. I’ve assumed that as a person with (checks notes) 1 follower, that reblogging (boosting?) is a pointless endeavor because I provide zero visibility and therefore, favoriting is the only way for me to assist in elevating any given post. True? False?
Show threadRDS (shawphd on Twitter)Dec 19, 2022
@debbers @ryanschultz @calebshops Favoriting is pretty much just for you and the poster. That one follower can boost further.
Show threadCalebShopsDec 18, 2022
@shawrd773 @ryanschultz so what a retweet was basically?
Show threadMr. CompletelyDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz also, use hashtags and search them. When #JohnMastodon was peaking, reading that hashtag was the best way to experience that firehose of comedy, and adding it was the best way to get your joke or observation seen by those outside your existing circles
Show threadRenDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz #JohnMastodon can go viral without an algorithm
Show threadDiabetic HeihachiDec 18, 2022

@rogueren @ryanschultz

#HisNameWasJohnMastodon He will do anything for love

https://nerdculture.de/@DavBot/109536839331646293

DavBot (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image @[email protected] #HisNameWasJohnMastodon It was not I but *Chef's Kiss*

NerdCulture
Show threadFoxlandDec 18, 2022
yeah agreed
Show threadSheisShesaidDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz it would be lovely if #joanmastadon got her due. She’s the one who suggested collaboration > hierarchy.
Show threadMargaret, The Fell Omen 🏳️‍🌈Dec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz also it's not any individual going viral, but a meme
Show threadForbearanceDec 18, 2022
@ApNudd @ryanschultz Did I miss when that changed? Isn't "viral" when a bunch of people collectively decide a thing is interesting and it becomes popular quickly?
Show threadChauncey ButtlesticksDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz stealing your meme!
Show threadJimmyspoonsDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz big tiddy Alf proved that to me
Show threadamincoDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz
Going viral is not universally recognized as a worthy goal.
Show threadThe_HalflingDec 18, 2022

@ryanschultz That's a good point. It just makes me wonder what the purpose of the favorite button is?

Maybe we'd see more boosting if favoriting wasn't there to muddy the waters?

Show threadMicky PlannetDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz
So let´s give it a boost :)
Show threadEngineers4PalestineDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz Thank you for the tip!
Show threadMiKlo:~/citizen4.eu$💙💛Dec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz
I live with #MyFriendIca and sometimes we talk to #JohnMastodon .
Show threadMoushidoodlesDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz also this for artists you enjoy as well, the best way for our art to get seen is by people boosting/reblogging it. Artists are glad people like their work, but we like it more when you share it with your followers~ #art #artistsofmastadon #artistsupport
Show threadWilliDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz how do I boost a post?
Show threadCris -serial crafter, geek!Dec 19, 2022
@willimanilli
Boosting is done by poking at the emblem that looks like 4arrows in the shape of a square -follow @feditips for lots of lovely info on how to get around and how to find other folk in the fediverse
Show threadWilliDec 19, 2022
@origamilady I have no idea what you mean, I don’t see such a button anywhere. I just reposted it and on Twitter this used to be good enough.
I see that fediverse is a term for a decentralized network. Is this term preferred over just calling it the Mastodon network/platform?
Show threadCris -serial crafter, geek!Dec 19, 2022
@willimanilli
This is what I see on my screen (I added the circle and arrow of course) fediverse is what most folk call it and mind you, it encompasses more than just this social site
Show threadWilliDec 20, 2022
@origamilady Thanks! Mine looks slightly different. I still only see two arrows, though 😉 I thought this was called a reblog on Mastodon, boost seems overly abstract
Show threadNoctisEqui 🇺🇦🇵🇸🇪🇹🏳️‍🌈Dec 18, 2022

@ryanschultz

Agreed! As long as I am not thought a troll. I boosted a lot on Twitter. I got permanently suspended on Dec. 1! I was a small account so I must have been doing something right!

Show threadJulia HeilerDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz This is basically how tumblr works too. And while they do have a "Best stuff first" feature, most people I know turn it off.
Show threadUnbreakable? Hold my espresso.Dec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz I like, I boost this and I comment that John Mastodon wears Hai Karate aftershave.
Show threadtoxtethogradyDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz It was also funny as hell...
Show threadDeweyDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz yesss
Show threadJoanna LinkDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz this is actually how Twitter used to work before 2016, except they also had the trends feature
Show threadKatie PDec 18, 2022
@ryanschultz ok new to mastodon here, so “favoriting” doesn’t boost? Do comments boost? Reblogging? What’s the most effective method here?