Is #mastodon becoming an echo chamber? This post from @carnage4life has me questioning our community. The Mastodon team is finally getting some traction, the product improvements are increasing, The #UX is improving, yet people posting on multiple platforms are making comments like this. It's confusing.
I *know* people here don't want this to be a classic social media-clone but we'd *like* journalists to be here right? They aren't coming with examples like this!
@scottjenson yeah I had a pretty kneejerk reaction when I saw that comparison because it read like it was borderline racist to me.
I think that the fediverse should absolutely be better to minorities, especially Black communities, because we have had a pretty terrible track record in that regard. at the same time, a lot of people on here (and bluesky too!) are very tech-skeptic so of course posts about AI would be met with a negative response. I think there's some merit in trying to balance out supporting different and unique cultures but also understanding which topics might be considered taboo on here.
and then again, a lot of people have become very militant about the things that they don't like and should be a lot more accepting instead of immediately bringing out the pitchforks! I'll admit that I'm guilty of that too. everything is a huge delicate balance that I feel might be a good conversation if AI wasn't involved.
I'm just rambling at this point though
@eblu thanks for that thoughtful response.
What makes this such a complex topic is that people can think whatever they want! Hate AI? Fine! I'm not against anyone having those opinions.
My point was more 'why do we have to chase them away?'. I'm not endorsing AI by the way, I'm just using them as an example.
If we feel justified chasing AI bros away, we can chase others away. That doesn't feel like a good long term plan.
Scott Jenson
eblu