Michelle ManafyDec 28, 2022
Mastodon has rejected more than five investment offers from Silicon Valley venture capital firms in recent months, as its founder pledged to protect the fast-growing social media platform’s non-profit status. (open access link) https://on.ft.com/3YSq8PU
#twittermigration #mastodon
Show threadChad Bruner
@michellemanafy
For me, this article is paywalled. While I will abstain from supporting the website, the message of the article is vital to our future.
@BobWilliams
Dec 28, 2022 at 3:55pmWeb
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoDec 28, 2022

@chadbruner @michellemanafy @BobWilliams

Free to read.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/12/twitter-rival-mastodon-rejects-funding-to-preserve-nonprofit-status/

Twitter rival Mastodon rejects funding to preserve nonprofit status

Open source microblogging site has seen surge of interest since Musk took over Twitter.

Ars Technica
Show threadChad BrunerDec 28, 2022
@Deglassco
Much Gratitude!
@michellemanafy @BobWilliams
Show threadPhil RobertsonDec 28, 2022

@Deglassco @chadbruner @michellemanafy @BobWilliams

This is an interesting move. Let's recall that non-profits can accept funding (think about Red Cross, for example), but they cannot operate under shareholders. It will be important eventually for Mastodon to have enough resources to run itself as well as possible, but avoid becoming a horrible company - like most other social media companies.

https://robertsonp.substack.com/p/in-defense-of-the-twitter-quitter

In Defense of the Twitter Quitter

You don’t need to stay on Twitter and ‘fight’

Phil's Takes
Show threadChad BrunerDec 28, 2022
@Probs
Fortunately, users and admins have control over which instances they participate in and the ability to fund instances independently of mastodon is a great feature.
@Deglassco @michellemanafy @BobWilliams
Show threadPhil RobertsonDec 28, 2022

@chadbruner @Deglassco @michellemanafy @BobWilliams

Thanks for sharing that. In this situation, could individual instances seek funding? Separately, would there be need for more resources and funding for the overall site itself? Or is Mastodon ready to be a world-leading social media site as is, with individual instances boosted by individual funders?

Show threadChad BrunerDec 28, 2022
@Probs
Mastodon comes to life and is sustained by each instance individually. It's up to instance admins to inform their users of the financial needs of their instance. For example, so far, the admin of the instance I use has not participated in discussing donations or financial needs; however, I am ready and willing to support my instance in any way I can should the need arise. Rules and access vary by instance also.
@Deglassco @michellemanafy @BobWilliams
Show threadPhil RobertsonDec 29, 2022

@chadbruner @Deglassco @michellemanafy @BobWilliams

Thanks. Do you think the overall tech and oversight of Mastodon, aside from the individual instances, will need further financial / personnel support? I understand individual instances can pursue their growth in their own way, but I wonder about the overall set up and anything required for global Mastodon site excellence. Thanks for sharing your view.

Show threadPhilip Ives 🖖Dec 28, 2022
@Deglassco @chadbruner @michellemanafy @BobWilliams Great article. I hope this sits continues to act as it does now.