Sarah FackrellJul 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
Show threadSarah FackrellJul 18, 2023

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
Show threadSarah FackrellJul 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.

Show threadSarah FackrellJul 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.)

Show threadSarah FackrellJul 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.

Show threadSarah FackrellJul 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.

Show threadSarah FackrellJul 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.)
Show threadSarah FackrellJul 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.
Show threadLa temeraria

@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?

Jul 18, 2023 at 11:33amWeb