Fediverse

We've had this exact conversation in this community two months ago already, in case you want to back read the comments from back then. Nothing significant has changed

To paraphrase my opinion from back then:

• Easier onboarding, and a familiar, easier UX
• customizable feeds you can subscribe to + starterpacks instantly give you full timelines and people to follow (and followers, if you're in many starter packs)
• better discoverability, and therefore higher engagement
• stacking moderation and excellent security features (e.g. detachable quote boosts, "the nuclear block")
• many users who tried Mastodon first had bad experiences with "HOA"-like behavior and over-enthusiastic mods

I've got an idea as to why.

I went to mastodon.social and see a Linux meme, some heavy political commentary, and a bunch of posts about mastodon being better than Twitter.

I then went to bluesky.app and see some political riffing, cute animals, a comic, some jokes, a company, and even Don Lemon.

The average person checking them both out for the first time, mastodon is nerd shit and Bluesky is normal shit.

Every platform and app I've seen does a piss poor job of explaining what federation is and how to sign up. "Wtf is mastodon.social?, Why is this one in German?, Why can't I login after signing up?" New users just get confused and give up.

I never post, but I do follow a couple of channels on bluesky and mastodon. Bluesky always just works. Mastodon breaks all the freaking time.

because bsky actually listened to their users and implemented features they asked for unlike mastodon who attacked migrators during the first twitter migration.

bsky also had a bunch of marginalised people - including trans people - as early adopters that helped shape their views on moderation.

install mastodon

Pick an instance

Hit up all

giant penis

That's why. That's the reason.

but you could review the instance beforehand...

Is Jimbo Normalman going to review the instance beforehand? Lmao.

Bluesky allows me to use my domain as my identity and make my own moderation decisions without having to run my own instance.

it's been better marketed, and people struggle with the concept of federation and picking a server. and I guess the invite-only, artificial exclusivity strat has actually paid off for them initially, unlike for Google+.

also, a matter of culture. I've seen many newcomers complain about how some long time users act as HOA, reminding everyone to act according to the long-standing rules. many people of colour have experience many forms of racist behaviour, too, which has driven some communities away.

oh, and the federation/defederation business sometimes gets way too messy, which [cynic mode on] makes it difficult for people who want their Personal Brand™ to gain as many followers as possible over the entire network.