Mastodawn

Galactico Mar 12, 2023

In some ways, I’m enjoying how the Twitter / Mastodon divide is shaping up. Speaking very generally, Twitter is like going out into the storm and shouting with a bullhorn, while taking enemy fire and occasional shrapnel.

Mastodon is more like returning to a cozy lodge and having a fireside chat while wounds heal, sipping hot chicken broth, having some actual conversation.

Part of that is just a fact that I have a larger platform on the bird thing for now, and it’s useful for broadcasting stuff to that audience. Which is what it is.

But I think it’s useful to take note of that difference and pay attention to how these things are used, how they make us feel, and the effects they have on us both individually and collectively.

The feedback loop of people ~> tech ~> people has been largely unconsidered in any serious way.

Bret Pettichord

@davetroy There is something about the slower pace on Mastodon that allows for more relaxed conversations here.

@bpettichord yeah and I think the design is just geared a bit more towards promoting respectful exchange. Not always, but it leans that way. Interesting to consider why that might be and what changes Twitter, FB etc might make to encourage (or discourage) such things, and why.

SamuelJohnson Mar 13, 2023

https://mastodon.social/@randomwalker/109995186383970313

CitizenZ Mar 15, 2023

@davetroy can you cross post your Twitter content here? I’m not talking old posts.. I can’t log onto Twitter without having right wing propaganda shoved in my face and I’m afraid it’s going to cause my blood to boil over.

@CitizenZ no, I use the platforms differently. Eventually I'll probably leave Twitter, but I have a large audience there that is still useful.

CitizenZ Mar 15, 2023

@davetroy I hear ya. it would be nice if Twitter had a default of, block everyone… I block em and they keep coming. Then I get sucked into having to explain to some Russian bot that no, Joe Biden was not president in the year 2020…

Shawn Wegner Mar 22, 2023

@CitizenZ @davetroy this is Mastodon!! Leave your ex Twitter where it belongs!! I'm tired of seeing the cross posting!! Twitter is toxic!!

Obviously, homophily is the most obvious explanation. Mastodon selects for more like-minded people; my followers are more like-minded still. So it’s double selection bias. But still, even so, I think the norms are different here even for stranger-stranger interaction that tend to favor more civil exchange.

AI6YR Ben Mar 12, 2023

@davetroy I suspect the people who don't like getting in bar brawls have come over here. It's the Star Wars Cantina over on Twitter. You kind of expect people will be zapping each other with blasters and scowling at each other, and lots of unsavory characters around.

@ai6yr yes that’s an apt description. Some pretty darn strange characters on the bird.

I think it's more algorithms / no algorithms.

There's nothing here driving people to argue. Maybe debate, but not argue.

Jill duh Mar 12, 2023

@davetroy seems like it yup 👍

Looking for explanations…Mar 12, 2023

@davetroy I recently was very happy to see that some people I’d followed over there have made it over here, only to discover that they’re using an account that duplicates their Twitter activity & that they likely won’t bother to look at mastodon responses. My happiness changed to affront, but I’m reluctant to unfollow or block. Feel free to copy this to Twitter!

@Susan60 I think it’s wise to give that all some time. People are still figuring out how they want to use these tools, and there is no one right way. I find I don’t want to duplicate content between them, but I do want to use them both. For now at least. I suspect bird will turn to mush but while it still has utility for me I will continue to use it. I certainly won’t pay, however. 🤮 When Elon does more dumb things, people will shift here more.

General experience:

Twitter: "you're a libtard snowflake! Nyah Nyah Nyah! 🖕🖕🖕"

Mastodon: 'I'm a physicist, writer, and painter. I've just written a paper on nuclear fusion, and here's an oil painting I did of robins in the snow, WITH Alt-Text."

Mastodon is like being at the most interesting cocktail party. Twitter is like being in a mosh pit full of man babies.

Nia Molinari Mar 12, 2023

Twitter:

Post: "I love pancakes."

Response: "WHY DO YOU HATE WAFFLES YOU WAFFLE HATER!!!!" [Meme of someone stabbing waffles with an Excalibur sword]

Mastodon:

Post: "I love pancakes."

Response: "I do too! [Photo of a stack of pancakes]

#birdsite #mastodon

Bret Pettichord

@NiaMolinari @davetroy in 2016 Twitter added their algorithm, rewarding engagement. It transformed discussion into debate.

Nia Molinari Mar 13, 2023

@bpettichord @davetroy I felt it. It was suddenly so inorganic.

Alexandria B Mar 13, 2023

@NiaMolinari @davetroy LOL

hannahshouse2 🇺🇸 California Mar 13, 2023

@davetroy
I didn't follow you on the bird site (sorry) but I found you here and added you to my news list.

Natasha Bates Mar 13, 2023

@davetroy I wish I was experiencing more conversations here. I had an interesting non-combative conversation in Ukrainian yesterday on the bird site with the help of Google translate.

@natasha514b takes some time to build up relationships. Keep following people who seem interesting!

Natasha Bates Mar 14, 2023

@davetroy
I’m following lots of like-minded people and about an equal number follow me. I don’t think this is the reason I’m not having a lot conversations here.

@natasha514b seems like you're having one right now.

Frank Westphal Fella Mar 13, 2023

@davetroy Haha. Good analogy. 👍

AT-AT Assault 🏳️‍⚧️Mar 13, 2023

While I do much enjoy Mastodon, I feel the net effect of most non-chill posts is just preaching to the choir. Like, I kinda want non-leftists to be looking at this site so that hopefully seeing lots of sane opinions will cause them to abandon their insane opinions.

@martlund 🌲🐶🇸🇪🇨🇱🌈Mar 13, 2023

@davetroy For me it was like seeing who could blow the most hate into the wind and now I feel like I'm preaching to the choir

Vitamot Mar 13, 2023

@davetroy On Twitter only people you follow or mention can reply so there is no real storm or shrapnel, very limiting engagement sadly.

@vitamot it's a shame Mastodon doesn't have such a feature, though it's less needed because trolls can't search text terms to parachute in and shit on things. Please read this thread to understand this situation in more detail.

https://twitter.com/davetroy/status/1504841246954643459?s=20

Tweet / Twitter

Twitter

Vitamot Mar 13, 2023

@davetroy Thank you for your reply and clarification.

Kim Possible Mar 13, 2023

@davetroy well said.

MJ Muse Mar 13, 2023

@davetroy so nice to see there are good men like you. Women are shell shocked and pissed off. We have had it with patriarchy. Your refreshing brother

@MJmusicinears thank you. 🙏🏼 I don’t always get it right but I am committed to the cause.

Canadian Crone Mar 14, 2023

@davetroy Pretty accurate in my experience. I don’t even reblog someone who’s quoted twitter. It’s so peaceful to be away from that cesspool of ugliness that is twitter.

Kathe O'Reilly Mar 20, 2023