The mastodon stages:
1. new users flow in and are amazed and/or flummoxed by the UI and its affordances

2. some users stay, finding that they rather enjoy the aforementioned affordances, and the overall lack of twitter shenanigans

3. suddenly, you discover you have things to say on the nature of sexuality and interpersonal relationships that you never knew you were uncomfortable talking about until you came here

4. there will be hugs, for those who want or need them