Sheril KirshenbaumDec 24, 2022

I see some folks asking for a quote style button on #Mastodon. Let’s not do that.

Quote tweeting on #Twitter incentivized snark, promoted outrage & rewarded cruelty. It brought out our worst by further gamifying interactions in a kind of race for 🔁 & ❤️ - which are delightfully less obvious here.

I love that Mastodon has a community feel & hope it stays that way.

Show threadSean Macツ
@Sheril
I think there are valid reasons to share with context. And, without an algorithm, I dont see how *share with context* will be any different than *share without context*.
Ultimately, without the ability to share with context, I dont think many will stay here. I dont want to blast random posts to my followers without explaining why I find those posts meaningful to me. It's about connecting as humans, and creating meaning, not replicating data as if we are human algorithms.
Dec 24, 2022 at 3:59amMastodon for iOS
Show threadjigbeanDec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril Connecting with humans is part of the reason there's no QT, I've understood. So, instead of (just) blasting something to your followers, you can reply to the OP, who will probably appreciate hearing your view. I like the suggestion to add your context to your reply and then boost your reply.
Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022

@jigbean @Sheril
I just dont think that is how humans work. When I find something exciting, I really want to share that to my friends on Mastodon with a comment as to why I find it meaningful. In other words, I want to start a conversation with my friends, and have them respond to me about it. Right now, just 'boosting' sends it along while removing me from the equation. The interaction is very hollow that way.

I do have a theory that Mastodon is for introverts. ;) I am an extrovert.

Show threadjigbeanDec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril But what about your interaction with the person who posted in the first place?
Interesting theory on introverts v extroverts. FWIW I'm very, very introverted.
Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022
@jigbean @Sheril
that is a really good question. So my take... I don't think the original post is as important as the relationship and interaction that you have with your own circle of friends. Like, when I see an article about a new scientific discovery, I dont necessarily want to talk to the person who wrote the article, because I dont know them. I want to discuss that article with my friends.
Show threadjigbeanDec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril Interesting. You see, that's why I think no QT-ing is better and, well, more social. If you use the reply with context + boost your reply method, you get the conversation with your friends, but you also let the OP know what you found in their post/work worth discussion. They may or may not want to discuss it with you but at the very least it's (a) nice to be thanked and (b) might give them (or you) a new direction to take their thoughts in.
Show threadKelli Blue 📸Dec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril you could copy/paste a link to the toot you’re replying to into your toot 🤷🏼‍♀️
Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022
@kelliblue @Sheril
yes, and that is just a few extra steps. I have tried that. But the fact that Mastodon doesnt show a preview of the link is also problematic. I tend to copy the headline, paste, copy the link, paste, add my comment, post. That is really cumbersome. I feel like social networks already solved these kinds of issues years ago, so it definitely feels like a step back in time.
Show threadKelli Blue 📸Dec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril I think it shows previews after the post gets a chance to propagate through the fediverse
Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022
@kelliblue @Sheril
maybe! I am def not an expert here yet, lol. 💛 And I love the decentralization here, along with the lack of algorithm. That is fantastic, and what Mastodon has going for it! I just dont think the ability to repost with context would ruin that.
Show threadSteveDec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril I do understand that. But lets also think of what experience the lack of quote tooting creates: it means that a user #toots something more personal, potentially. Anyway, as the userbase grows, there'll be more pressure to import big #socialmedia norms.
Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022
@lime_juice_cube @Sheril
yes, I agree 100% Steve! I do think those 'social media norms' are just the things that humans tend to want to do, you know? When you try to curtail human behavior with 'features', you get interesting results. So time will show what kind of community Mastodon builds with its unique experience!
Show threadSteveDec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril It is interesting. Culture (a collection of ideas and behaviours) is flexible and malleable, and humans create all kinds of different cultures. Big #socialmedia tends to value growth, data capture, profiteering, and algorithmic sorting to optimise growth and engagement. #mastodon culture was largely developed by the queer community, who wanted to de-amplify toxicity. So, #mastodon has a different #culture - not right or wrong.
Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022
@lime_juice_cube @Sheril
yes, I have been told this. I will say that I am also 'queer' (although I am older, so I prefer the label of 'gay') and I dont feel like I fit in here, and have already been made to feel unwelcome repeatedly. So again, this is an interesting experiment.... ...
Show threadSteveDec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril That's definitely an interesting POV actually. As the userbase grows, I have no doubt any founding culture, queer or otherwise, will become diluted. Still, the #fediverse is diverse, and easy enough to find an instance that has a different set of values.
Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022
@lime_juice_cube @Sheril
yes, and that brings me back to my original point (that you probably can't see because this has been a multi-threaded conversation tonight, lol) -- that the diverse, decentralized, and non-algorithmic nature of Mastodon is what makes it so amazing... and I dont think re-posting with context would ruin that dynamic.
Show threadSteveDec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril It would certainly be interesting to see. Whatever happens, #mastodon culture has already changed. Change cannot be resisted.
Show threadCypherDec 24, 2022
@seanm4c @Sheril then just included the link in the post and ignore the boost function?
Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022
@cspcypher @Sheril
copy link, paste, copy headline (because Mastodon doesn't post with link preview, which is also a security thing that invites phishing), paste, add comment, worry about posting conventions so everyone understands what I am doing....
okey dokey!
Show threadCypherDec 24, 2022

@seanm4c @Sheril this toot here is really good because of xyz ... link

I don't see the issue?

Show threadSean MacツDec 24, 2022
@cspcypher @Sheril
yes, I totally agree. you are right.
❤️✌️