Mastodawn

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

So, this thread by @seachanger got me thinking about #ReplyGuys and, in particular, the fedi phenomenon of (what I've started thinking of as) #GhostReplies.

https://alaskan.social/@seachanger/110724773964465488

malena (@[email protected])

bad reply guys are one of fedi/mastodon’s biggest problems. I’m realizing it’s not only a demographic issue but a structural one with the platform. if people cannot easily see one another’s replies, and if the original poster can’t easily QT replies, someone with a popular post has to field dozens of nearly identical replies. if these replies enforce white supremacy or patriarchy (spoiler: they often do), the structure of mastodon tends to center and amplify white supremacy &patriarchy

Alaskan Social

Now, I've got some experience with #ReplyGuys

This chart (from @sbarolo & @shrewshrew) isn't supposed to be a bingo card but, if it were, I would have won over and over again during my time on Twitter:
https://zirk.us/@sbarolo/109399651067151753

Scott Barolo (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image The idea behind #9ReplyGuys is that, if you wish, you can use the 9 images in the thread above to quickly categorize & dismiss sexist replies. Misogynists *hate* being called unoriginal. Thanks from me and @[email protected] for your support, suggestions, boosts and encouragement 💕

zirkus

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

My time here on Mastodon has been blessedly free of #ReplyGuys....except when I post about the fedi.

Holy cow, y'all.

Make one mention of the fedi and there is a SWARM of people who are eager to "correct" any statement that they think is wrong, oversimplified, etc.

It's exhausting.

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

Added to this is the problem of #GhostReplies.

What do I mean by that?

Basically, due to how the fedi works, any given user won't necessarily see all of the replies to someone else's post.

(Please note: I am summarizing here. If you're tempted to reply with a technical explanation, please see the last post in this thread and just....don't.)

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

So if you look at someone else's post and see no replies, that doesn't mean there are no replies.

Those hidden-to-you replies are what I've started thinking of as #GhostReplies.

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

So imagine this: Someone posts something.

You might feel like it would be helpful to reply with an explanation.

Unbeknownst to you, the poster might have already been swarmed with hundreds of #GhostReplies saying the exact same thing.

Imagine how that feels to the poster.

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

(Side note: If the poster hasn't asked for an explanation and especially if you don't know them, your intervention will more likely than not come across as hostile, not helpful. And since your reply won't be seen by everyone else, you're not guaranteed to be "helping" third parties, either. If you REALLY cannot help yourself, try asking the poster if they'd like some explanation/context before you explain. If they say no or don't reply, move on by.)

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

So what do we do about this? Others have suggested changing or modifying how the fedi works. That's fine; we should have those conversations. But for now, I'm more interested in the question of what we can do now, using the tools at our disposal.

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

When dealing with #GhostReplies, the original poster might want to respond by: (1) to stop the deluge; and/or (2) naming and shaming bad actors.

As to the first, I've had some luck adding replies to the original post, sort of like a P.S.

As to the second, I've seen others use screenshots of #GhostReplies effectively (at least from my POV)

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

Anyway, I'm curious: What has worked for you in dealing with problematic #GhostReplies (using currently-available tools), fedi friends?

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

One more thought: There is at least one upside to the #GhostReplies phenomenon--namely, that I feel a lot better about ignoring incorrect/off-the-wall replies.

On Twitter, if someone said something obviously incorrect about my area of law in my mentions, I felt compelled to say something because I knew everyone else could see their misstatement and might attribute my silence (again, I'm talking about replies to me, not others' freestanding posts) as agreement.

Here, not so much.

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

To be clear: I'm not saying this benefit outweighs all the problems. Just making an observation.

LAUREN Jul 18, 2023

@design_law I mute and allow others to reply. Like using the fedi system efficiently. This also allows for broader discussions and the op can always temporarily mute the branched conversations.

jordan Jul 18, 2023

@design_law I usually "Open original page" to see what replies are actually there. You're right that #ghostreplies are kind of annoying "feature" of how many fedi-services work.

Maybe I'm just not popular enough to get responses to anything I say, but is it really that big a problem for people, especially if they *know* that these people are probably responding in good faith and just can't see that other people have already responded? Might be annoying, but is that worth stifling conversation?

Andy Price Jul 18, 2023

@design_law I agree it's a huge problem here, I see it daily. I don't know if there are any quick and easy solutions though, it seems like a tricky human/cultural problem. Maybe an awareness campaign and a warning or posting guidelines added to the reply text box would help a little. After that maybe admins could add it to their server rules so that it's a reportable offense.

Sarah Fackrell Jul 18, 2023

@andyprice Yeah, definitely not suggesting there's anything quick or easy about it. And I suspect you're right that culture is the right place to start. Which is one reason I wanted to bring the issue to the attention of those who aren't aware of it.

La temeraria Jul 18, 2023

@design_law
Thank you for delving into this. I WANT to see #ghostreplies too.

I have the same issue with #ghostposts
I see an interesting reply but need context. Click & scroll up to . . . nothing.

I hesitate to ask to whom they are replying. I don't want to inadvertently annoy.

It's random,. Sometimes I see the original post & sometimes not. I often see the OP of people I don't follow (Usually merits a follow) But sometimes-I don't even get the chance.
Different instances maybe?

Delicious Terrine Jul 19, 2023

@design_law it brings a whole new meaning to "I hope she sees this"

No, I really wonder who will see this.

Matt Hames Jul 18, 2023

@design_law @sbarolo @shrewshrew how did the mansplainer die?

He fell into a well, actually.

Blume, die Jul 18, 2023

@design_law @sbarolo @shrewshrew

Thank you for sharing this one!