This is a big problem for Mastodon.

Canadian journalist Erica Ifill just had her mastodon.online account suspended without explanation. She's been sharing stuff critical of Mastodon re: intersectional issues.

I get the decentralized structure and idea that each server has its own rules. But this Reddit-style moderation, where moderators with god-complexes make mysterious and arbitrary decisions, is going to cause people migrating to Mastodon to flee in droves.

https://www.presscheck.org/journalists/erica-ifill

A few thoughts on mastodon:

*Retoot often.* The mastodon network is sparse. Many folks are new, and finding each other is complicated. If you see something you like, retoot it. You are the suggestion algorithm. Everyone benefits.

*Follow liberally.* We’re accustomed to timelines crammed with ads and unwanted posts. Even if you followed the same number of people as elsewhere, you’d see much less content on mastodon. So follow liberally; everything is more with friends.

I really like the favorite/boost/bookmark distinctions. I also like the fact that here you have to go back to the original post to talk--my brain says lovechild of Twitter and Pillowfort. Also, accountability, woohoo!

So. In my view.

Favorite: HEY YOU this was a COOL THING.

Boost: HEY EVERYONE this was a COOL THING.

Bookmark: HEY ME don't forget about this COOL THING.

Reply: OMG WHAT A COOL THING can we TALK about it?

I've only been here 9 days, but I think Mastodon could use a decontamination chamber for some #Twitter migrants. There's been an uptick in aggression and angst here in recent days, which I guess is to be expected given the long-deteriorating culture of the birdsite. But isn't that what we're trying to leave behind?

Advice to newcomers: Take a moment (or two or three). Look around. Remember why you left the other place. And think about what you can do to make sure this is a far better one.