DetomhetDec 21, 2022
Qasim Rashid, Esq.

I think the biggest thing about Mastodon that I'm enjoying is the normalizing of dialogue. Questions aren't dunks, they're inquiries to understand better. A perhaps not the best stated phrase is still taken with positive intent. And the atmosphere really does focus on uplifting voices, rather than finding the next target.

All of the above has exceptions, of course, but after all exceptions prove the rule.

Grateful for this growing Mastodon community. I appreciate you. ❤️✊🏽

Dec 20, 2022 at 8:16pmWeb
Show threadLord KelvinDec 20, 2022

@QasimRashid

So you're saying I'm exceptional?

((giggle))

Show threadQasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 20, 2022
@kelvin0mql Exceptionally exceptional.
Show threadLord KelvinDec 20, 2022

@QasimRashid

Well! ((scoffs))

THAT was un-called-for.

((LOL))

Show threadgarpuDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid Yeah...it takes awhile to detox when a random person rolls up in your mentions and honestly asks a question.
Show threadBonnie SchwertnerDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid @garpu It took me at least a few days to calm down and realize people weren’t playing a game of “gotcha.” Plus, I see people whose accounts were powerhouses of strictly politics on the bird site, sharing photos of pets, food, and other personal things.
Show threadQasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 20, 2022
@schfinkes @garpu yep ditto
Show threadStatmonkey 🙊Dec 21, 2022
@schfinkes @QasimRashid @garpu This is the big thing for me. The normality of interaction.
Show threadediepdxJan 13, 2023
@schfinkes @QasimRashid @garpu It's interesting what a change in ecosystem can do!
Show threadLillianDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid Me too! 🥰
Show threadVAWeismanDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid I completely agree! No one is waiting to pounce on some obtuse nuance of what you’ve said to attack you. I’m #happier here! Now if the #world could settle down to a dull roar, we could all catch our breath! #MastodonIsGreat
Show threadbengoDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid great points! Thanks for highlighting and further morning this.
Show threadbengoDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid *norming
Show threadTravis Newton 👨‍💻Dec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid
I feel like the discussions are better here because we're not limited to 280 characters (500 seems perfect!) and there's no algorithm driving what you should see. People are the algorithm and we control what trends. And that's why boosting has more power here than it does on the other platforms. If you want others to see something, you HAVE to boost it (not just favorite it because favorites don't have any affect to a post like a boost).
Show threadLeslie LibertyDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid 100 percent agree! I think this is a wonderful and welcoming community.
Show threadamincoDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid
What part of it is the "early adopters" effect, what part is the better, non-corporate social UX design?
Show threadAndrew DayDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid This is a lovely statement, and you are spot on with these observations. However, (sorry… there is one), I notice you only follow 13 people (and I’m really not asking to be followed by you), but don’t you agree that the community is connected and enmeshed more fully when we hear and learn from many different voices? Your choice for sure, but maybe a thing to ponder. Go well and continue to share wise things.
Show threadNelson SVG JamesDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid
Show threadDennis SDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid I feel like that will change as Mastodon grows in popularity. The biggest issue with the #birdsite is the number of people with “microphone-itis”—just because you have a platform, that doesn’t mean everyone everywhere needs to know your every thought.
Show threadQasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 20, 2022
@talkingtoaster Fair but I still think we control that long term narrative by not feeding trollish behavior and meanwhile elevating positive online etiquette.
Show threadBenj Soule🫂💙HumanityFirst🌅Dec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid "finding the next target" lol, that's soo #Twitter.
Show threadCenobyte Dec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid Likewise. So many chill and smart people are here. It's been a relief
Show threadTammy GentzelDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid And we appreciate you!
Show threadShakeRattleAndRunDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid Ha, give it time. I feel like we can eventually make this place dreadful as well, hahaha. Stay Awesome, Sir.
Show threadsimplysynDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid agreed, I appreciate you!
Show threadAir Quotes ComedianDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid I'm glad I read the room before I let my proper persona rip here on Mastodon - The atmosphere here is completely different: friendly, welcoming, and reasonable. So I'm chilled like a mofo, but hopefully can still induce a smirk now and then.
Show threadPatLinDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid I am enjoying following your posts.
Show threadLavender GoomsDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid I think it's twofold. The lack of QRT means there's much less ability to take someone else's post and then respond to it sort of "silently" solely for your own audience (you have to actually reply directly), and more importantly the extra character limit. Having 500 characters gives enough room to actually form full thoughts instead of being stuck with sound bytes, which I think leads to less attempts at pithy zingers.
Show threadMichele BanksDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid huh, I'm not experiencing that, at least not yet. Really missing the actual conversation on the bird site.
Show threadManimalBlueDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid
Agreed. Does anyone have good follows rock music?
Show threadPhil RobertsonDec 20, 2022

@QasimRashid

Well put

Show threadGary NordellDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid 💯
Show threadDawnDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid This is what I’m here for.
Show threadthomkennonDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid yeah, the shit posting use case seems to have been blanked. It's an easy joy to just hang.
Show threadRaveeshDec 20, 2022
@QasimRashid "questions aren't dunks" I wonder how much the lack of QTs helps with that
Show threadMr. CompletelyDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid I feel much more myself here for reasons like this
Show threadClayton SlaughterDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid #ItsBetterOnMastodon
The real dialogue, the thoughtful and complete alt text #images #captions discovering new things about images I didn’t know, the new experience enabling us to learn.
Show threadPersiaLourdesDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid Awww same! I’m seeing the same thing here I really am enjoying this platform it’s cool.
Show threadMrAptronymDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid I hope that spirit stays with the community as it grows! I have found the fediverse much more pleasent than twitter ever was!
Show threadSober-Wan KenobiDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid give it a month
Show threadKevin SchwarzDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid People on Mastodon tend to be graceful and positive toward others
Show threadmy friends call me 5Dec 21, 2022

@QasimRashid

I'm noticing this as well! Amazing & wonderful & I really hope it lasts with the influx as an intrinsic property of the space! 🤞

Show threadrkriveraDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid I'm new to Mastodon. Don't even know if I'm using it right lol but I can already see a difference and its great
Show threadMariuszDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid @rkrivera try add on Apps. They will make your expuerience much easier. I use Metatext.
Show threadDecolonize Your Bookshelf🧡Dec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid It’s a huge breath of fresh air.
Show threadActiveCulturesDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid plus, a not so great stated phrase can be edited when the nature of it’s not so greatness is pointed out. This can lead to good leaning moments, and not derail the original conversation
Show threademmersDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid i feel so much calmer on this app because it feels like so much more of a positive space to learn and grow with less fear of being misunderstood and in turn that misunderstanding being used against you. i love this platform!
Show threadRedwoodGirl in ChicoDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid Very much so. It's like everyone's calmed down and we're at a lovely cocktail party that's actively welcoming passers-by on the sidewalk.
Show threadIdaDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid I agree, I actually feel I can ask a question out of interest without it being assumed I’m poking a hornets nest.
Show threadRanyDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid unfortunately I believe it's just because we're still in the early days of mastodon. Early adopters are people seeking dialogue and usefulness. Twitter in its early days was like this.
Show threadSohcahtoa82Dec 21, 2022

@QasimRashid
I decided somewhat recently that Twitter was one of the absolute worst things to happen to political discourse. Restricting to such short messages resulted in nuance and good-faith discussion going completely out the window, replaced by single-sentence zingers designed to "own" the other person. These statements were almost exclusively straw man arguments, at best.

However, there's something to be said about the fact that while Mastodon has grown considerably in the last couple months, it still doesn't hold a candle to Twitter's surviving user base. I expect that over time, if Mastodon continues to grow, we will enter an Eternal September and be intelligent discussion will fall off a cliff.

Show threadchef 😎Dec 21, 2022

@QasimRashid Although 11 I was never a registered Twitter user and can't compare the experience properly:

I like it here. Very promising and positive plattform. 👍

Show threadIrvin LinDec 21, 2022

@QasimRashid it does feel very much like the other site did in 2010. Open dialogue before trolling and bots became a thing.

I am curious about how it might change as Mastodon grows. But also, I love how instances have their own set of rules, and folks who don’t abide get kicked off. Sure they can join on a different instance, but eventually they’ll be funneled into an instance that is mostly walled off.

Of course, this could lead to an echo chamber. But I’m hopeful it won’t.

Show threaddeaf cassetteDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid I agree. The tone on here is just much more positive and far less elitist than Twitter. People here are actually want to engage in a community. It’s fantastic!
Show threadPatrick ClasenDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid I agree! I never really got warm with twitter, but so far this plattform is really nice!
Show threadMariuszDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid most of us left the bird because of toxicity. So we sleep in a bed that we prepared. It is cosy. For now :) lets keep it safe space for discussion
Show threadEddie RoosenmaallenDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid
I still have a panic response when a “reply” notification comes up, but since coming here it’s never been borne out — people here are friendly, helpful, and post in good faith. Even if someone disagrees with me., their goal is to converse, not to make me feel bad.
(Some of that is due to my instance’s extensive defederation list, so big kudos to the mod team here!)
Show threadbishopDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid yeah, there's a different vibe here. The only negative is that the community is still in a very early stage of being established so there are not many followers (especially in cases like mine) to talk to. Hopefully, it will come.
Show threadAbraxas3dDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid huge improvement.
Show threadMark C. WaltonDec 21, 2022
@QasimRashid