I spent quite a bit of time on BlueSky for several months and found that if you’re a nobody there is close to no engagement.

…It’s not just the interactions. It’s also the ambience and the pace. Just healthier

…There was a while in 2024 where I was frustrated that Mastodon didn’t have the breadth of politics that Twitter in its prime had, and thought that that was a bit unhealthy. I did enjoy the jostling with very different views.

So when BlueSky opened up I thought I’d have a look. But just as there are ideas we should embrace (e.g. degrowth) but our current culture *cannot* select, people who like to be among the ‘somebodies’ don’t want to be here. It’s just not for them.

Note that…

I spent quite a bit of time on BlueSky for several months and found that if you’re a nobody there is close to no engagement. If you’re a somebody, the platform laps it up.

But on Mastodon the conversation flows irrespective of who you are.

I know where I’d rather be https://fediscience.org/@kathhayhoe/116065653289142235

…I’m *not* saying that everyone on BlueSky is egotistical. I’m just saying that when someone is, it’s the kind of place that suits them, and, for the most part, Mastodon just doesn’t

…I’m *not* saying that everyone on BlueSky is egotistical. I’m just saying that when someone is, it’s the kind of place that suits them, and, for the most part, Mastodon just doesn’t

@patrick_h_lauke that’s a neat encapsulation of how it seemed to me

…I’m *not* saying that everyone on BlueSky is egotistical. I’m just saying that when someone is, it’s the kind of place that suits them, and, for the most part, Mastodon just doesn’t

@urlyman it provided a seamless transition for the number-go-up, ego-driven, "don't your realise who i am?", thought-leader, cuntrepreneur people on twitter ... and still mired in the same cult of personality / appeal to authority stuff we saw from twitter. it just feels...grubby to me these days

@urlyman it provided a seamless transition for the number-go-up, ego-driven, "don't your realise who i am?", thought-leader, cuntrepreneur people on twitter ... and still mired in the same cult of personality / appeal to authority stuff we saw from twitter. it just feels...grubby to me these days

I spent quite a bit of time on BlueSky for several months and found that if you’re a nobody there is close to no engagement. If you’re a somebody, the platform laps it up.

But on Mastodon the conversation flows irrespective of who you are.

I know where I’d rather be https://fediscience.org/@kathhayhoe/116065653289142235

@urlyman

Hypothesis:

One purpose of algorithm-driven social media is to create and reward clout, thus giving those sorts of people what they need so that they stick around.

@urlyman i still remember one of the "a-list" web design starlets at the time opining on how "the vibes are off" on masto and they decided to go all in on bluesky ... and it just felt more like "people aren't giving me enough deference/respect on masto! i was a STAR on twitter! respect my authority!"

@urlyman @srtcd424
I like how there are no #Mastodon influencers.

@urlyman

Looking back over the last 10 years of social media, I do have to say that 'authoritative voices' have not really helped all that much. I have found a lot more authority and knowledge and just plain wisdom from the 'nobodies', personally.

I guess when people were used to a professional clique on twitter and have to find a new one, it has to be frustrating. But isn't that what something like discord is for?

…Also, if memory serves me right, I have never encountered a conventionally climate sceptic person on here.

There are lots of green growthers but I’ve never had an exchange with someone who doubts basic climate science.

I mention this because I’m surprised that Katharine got the degree of push back on Mastodon that she graphed just over a year ago, but then I’m a man so I don’t have to put up with the many reply guys there are here

https://fediscience.org/@kathhayhoe/113787805278562159

@Remittancegirl agreed.

I know it’s probably an over-simplification but I think quite often about how indigenous cultures developed techniques for suppressing egotistical bullshit and lasted tens of thousands of years and how algorithmic media is the opposite

I spent quite a bit of time on BlueSky for several months and found that if you’re a nobody there is close to no engagement. If you’re a somebody, the platform laps it up.

But on Mastodon the conversation flows irrespective of who you are.

I know where I’d rather be https://fediscience.org/@kathhayhoe/116065653289142235

…I’m *not* saying that everyone on BlueSky is egotistical. I’m just saying that when someone is, it’s the kind of place that suits them, and, for the most part, Mastodon just doesn’t

@urlyman yeah I got that vibe too. BlueSky was more diverse, though, but god it sucked. Such a toxic platform. Basically 2019 Twitter.

@urlyman @KimSJ Mastodon is just chronological feeds which doesn't work for people used to going viral to pay their bills. It's kind of a privilege to be able to just chill on masto.