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1. Embed this notice
   Eugen Rochko (gargron@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 09:51:44 JST Eugen Rochko

   • かき@GNUsocialJP

   Mastodon is financed by crowdfunding instead of venture capital not because we don't know that venture capital exists, not because we don't have bills to pay, and not because venture capital isn't willing to give money to new social media platforms. VCs don't want a sustainable business, they want a big exit. Every VC-backed business is on a timer to deliver or die.

   • Haelwenn /элвэн/ :triskell:, clacke and piuvas :pc_chummy: :v_anarc: like this.
   • Kevin Beaumont and nebu repeated this.
   • Embed this notice
     Wayne Myers (conniptions@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 10:00:51 JST Wayne Myers

     in reply to

     @Gargron To deliver *money*, and *not* the actual thing it was supposed to deliver. They should call it 'PC', not 'VC'. Poisoned Chalice.

   • Embed this notice
     Lazarou Monkey Terror 🚀💙🌈 (lazarou@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 10:10:13 JST Lazarou Monkey Terror 🚀💙🌈

     in reply to

     @Gargron I'm tired of the Capitalism, I'm staying here on Mastodon with the Humans, for all their faults.

   • Embed this notice
     Jon Lindemann (mrdiamondj@mrdiamondj.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 10:24:49 JST Jon Lindemann

     in reply to

     @Gargron BlueSky was cool for a minute. Then I saw the venture capital announcement and was like, welp, so much for that. VC capital always has a price. They want their return.

   • Embed this notice
     Amrita (amr1ta@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 10:31:56 JST Amrita

     in reply to

     @Gargron who! Wondering what prompted this line of defence?

   • Embed this notice
     Wysteria (wysteriary@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 11:02:05 JST Wysteria

     in reply to

     @Gargron The Matrix ecosystem is still doing pretty well for itself despite Element being a VC-funded organization. I think you'd be surprised.

   • Embed this notice
     Mister Wanko (misterwanko@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 11:07:51 JST Mister Wanko

     in reply to

     @Gargron Let's choose death for them!

   • Embed this notice
     Asamour Pure love (loveenergy@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 12:06:52 JST Asamour Pure love

     in reply to

     @Gargron if you are willing to convert mastodon project in pure pure pure common law , we could offer opportunity to get all the funds you need to boost mastodon at speed you never expected by pure pure pure common law that permits new high-speed developent

   • Embed this notice
     Jon Lindemann (mrdiamondj@mrdiamondj.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 13:38:46 JST Jon Lindemann

     in reply to

     • Axomamma

     @Axomamma Sometimes I like to pretend that things will turn out okay

   • Embed this notice
     Axomamma (axomamma@mastodon.online)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 13:38:47 JST Axomamma

     in reply to

     • Jon Lindemann

     @mrdiamondj How did you not see it coming given who founded it?

   • Embed this notice
     Kneworldodor (kneworldodor@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 14:13:59 JST Kneworldodor

     in reply to

     @Gargron
     I have a Mr Robot condition.
     You write Venture
     I see Vulture

   • Embed this notice
     Miracles2 (miracles2@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 14:32:54 JST Miracles2

     in reply to

     @Gargron ok, entonces debemos irnos ?

   • Embed this notice
     Eugen Rochko (gargron@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 15:00:42 JST Eugen Rochko

     in reply to

     • かき@GNUsocialJP
     • The Yangsi Michael Dillon
     • Social Web Foundation

     @anantagd We support the @swf, we're not "in" it (and neither is Meta).

   • Embed this notice
     The Yangsi Michael Dillon (anantagd@ieji.de)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 15:00:44 JST The Yangsi Michael Dillon

     in reply to

     @Gargron Yup like getting into a "foundation" with Meta. Got it.

   • Embed this notice
     Eugen Rochko (gargron@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 15:03:11 JST Eugen Rochko

     in reply to

     • かき@GNUsocialJP
     • The Yangsi Michael Dillon
     • Social Web Foundation

     @anantagd @swf You're welcome!

   • Embed this notice
     The Yangsi Michael Dillon (anantagd@ieji.de)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 15:03:12 JST The Yangsi Michael Dillon

     in reply to

     • Social Web Foundation

     @Gargron @swf whatever. thanks for replying. Obviously an important point that had to be made.

   • Embed this notice
     Patrick Leavy (patrickleavy@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 15:03:25 JST Patrick Leavy

     in reply to

     @Gargron more precisely "to deliver and then enshittify"

   • Embed this notice
     Simon 🥧 man 🥥🌴 🇺🇸 (enmodo@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 16:06:58 JST Simon 🥧 man 🥥🌴 🇺🇸

     in reply to

     @Gargron so true - I worked at a VC funded startup and they let it go for two years with no interest in us making revenue. I was told by the founder this was common and gives VCs more leverage later. If you've created something good then you'll need more money to stay in business and they get more equity for continued funding because you're desperate. And if you're mediocre you're never going to be a great exit so they cut their losses and move on.

   • Embed this notice
     OpenSoul ✅ (opensoul@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 18:07:35 JST OpenSoul ✅

     in reply to

     @Gargron so true

   • Embed this notice
     Jay :iwate: (jasohill@famichiki.jp)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 18:36:03 JST Jay :iwate:

     in reply to

     @Gargron Let's keep it this way. I want Mastodon still standing when all the other social media sites have enshittified themselves to high hell.

     piuvas :pc_chummy: :v_anarc: likes this.
   • Embed this notice
     piuvas :pc_chummy: :v_anarc: (piuvas@capivarinha.club)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 18:37:07 JST piuvas :pc_chummy: :v_anarc:

     in reply to

     @Gargron@mastodon.social based

   • Embed this notice
     Sherlock Hawk (sherlockhawk@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 19:11:10 JST Sherlock Hawk

     in reply to

     @Gargron Sorry to bother, but are you planning to release the annual report for 2023. Love the work, keep it up.

   • Embed this notice
     Eugen Rochko (gargron@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 19:46:21 JST Eugen Rochko

     in reply to

     • かき@GNUsocialJP

     Side note, if you'd like us to help pay our bills for the 5 full-time employees and a number of freelancers we currently have working on developing Mastodon and bringing you new features, and potentially grow the team to do so even faster, there is a number of ways you can do so outlined on this page: https://joinmastodon.org/sponsors

   • Embed this notice
     Emma A. Hein (emmaahein@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 20:04:26 JST Emma A. Hein

     in reply to

     @Gargron Enter to Win a FREE $750 Walmart Gift Card!

     Walmart is giving away $750 gift cards in their. Plus 5 will win a $1,000 gift card. You can enter daily to win.
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     Check here to get all the offers at once:
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   • Embed this notice
     B00BIES (boobiesshopping@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 20:05:55 JST B00BIES

     in reply to

     @Gargron FREE 1000$ 💵
     Signup now💸~ https://tpi.li/ljr0GBB5

   • Embed this notice
     aquarius1842 (aquarius1842@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 20:12:26 JST aquarius1842

     in reply to

     @Gargron

     - Every VC-backed business is on a timer to deliver or die

   • Embed this notice
     Dr. Nancy Wayne ✅ (nancylwayne@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 20:12:38 JST Dr. Nancy Wayne ✅

     in reply to

     @Gargron Just made a donation, on top of my monthly Patreon contribution. Keep up the great work!

   • Embed this notice
     Greg Johnson (pteranodo@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 20:12:58 JST Greg Johnson

     in reply to

     @Gargron hi, glad for this service. What is the average cost per user? (Want to check I was at least doing that.)

   • Embed this notice
     passbolt (passbolt@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 20:22:57 JST passbolt

     in reply to

     @Gargron we just made a donation on github! 🫶

   • Embed this notice
     notbencarter (notbencarter@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 21:09:43 JST notbencarter

     in reply to

     @Gargron I took the next step this morning and started a (small) monthly donation to support Mastodon’s maintenance and development. Hope progressive nonprofits and candidates will devote even a small portion of their comms budgets to invest in this fundamental, small-d democratic work.

     🙏🤓🙌

     https://bluegrassroots.ninja/home/nonprofits-must-build-social-media-ecosystem-with-their-values

   • Embed this notice
     martin lentink 🇪🇺 🍋 (martinlentink@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 22:26:27 JST martin lentink 🇪🇺 🍋

     in reply to

     @Gargron Which is why I'm a Patreon, and y'all should be too.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 22:44:32 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger @Gargron

     I want to quote the section about financial viability for you, to make sure it's clear.

     "We want the Fediverse to be financially viable
     The Fediverse cannot thrive without people building clients or running providers. And to do those things, they need money. Whether that’s advertising supported, or funded by charities and non-profits, or based on paid-for services, or affiliate revenue, we are working to find ways that companies can do well in the Fediverse."

   • Embed this notice
     katzenberger (katzenberger@mastodon.de)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 22:44:34 JST katzenberger

     in reply to

     @Gargron

     Stop pretending it's about "#crowdfunding", for you. You are expressly working on bringing #advertising to the #Fediverse, and the Mastodon instance that you run.

     https://socialwebfoundation.org/mission/

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 22:45:49 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger @Gargron I am on a co-op server, cosocial.ca. I think that's an awesome model. I also like SaaS services like masto.host.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 22:48:30 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger @Gargron the goal of the Social Web Foundation is not to bring advertising to the Fediverse. That already exists; there are already fediverse-enabled services that use ads, and there are fediverse accounts that use the sponsored hashtag.

     SWF want to help grow the Fediverse and improve the experience, including user safety and privacy, for everyone.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 22:49:17 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger @Gargron let me know if you have any other questions about the SWF mission, projects, or team.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 23:13:28 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger @Gargron I do have a question!

     Have you thought about starting a competing org that is also working to grow the Fediverse, but doesn't have the faults you see in the Social Web Foundation or Mastodon GmbH?

     There's one in Austria but not one in Germany afaik.

     https://fediverse.foundation/

   • Embed this notice
     katzenberger (katzenberger@mastodon.de)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 23:13:29 JST katzenberger

     in reply to

     • Evan Prodromou

     @evan

     Thanks for quoting this in full, I believe it highlights my point better than I could do it myself.

     I also believe that you are aware how the #Fediverse is already thriving without your attempts at commercialization, and your hosting of malicious actors like Meta as advisors of your foundation.

     Let me know if you have any other questions about my assessment of the #SWF, e.g. of its attempt to increase "safety and privacy" (your words) by embracing the makers of #Facebook.

     #fedipact

     @Gargron

   • Embed this notice
     Cash app$ (diya2334@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 23:28:21 JST Cash app$

     in reply to

     @Gargron Cash app💲 only US- new account Sing-up bonus $750 receive your wallet this offer limited so harry up.see more👇👇
     https://tinyurl.com/bddbeb93

   • Embed this notice
     Oliver Konow 🇪🇺🇮🇳 (okonow@mastodon.social)'s status on Friday, 25-Oct-2024 23:54:29 JST Oliver Konow 🇪🇺🇮🇳

     in reply to

     @Gargron Done, have a nice weekend and greetings from India!

   • Embed this notice
     Mister Shade (mister_shade02x2@mastodon.social)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 01:43:24 JST Mister Shade

     in reply to

     @Gargron Good to see this place apparently saw Ello was little more than a speed bump and isn’t repeating history.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 02:12:34 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger criticism is definitely welcome; not my intent.

     But I also think there's a lot of work to do on the Fediverse, and a lot of different approaches.

     I'd love to have more orgs to refer people to.

   • Embed this notice
     katzenberger (katzenberger@mastodon.de)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 02:12:35 JST katzenberger

     in reply to

     • Evan Prodromou

     @evan

     I would certainly consider starting a competing org if somebody inside those orgs would, let's say, imply that criticism is a form of lèse-majesté, and imply that I should rather shut up and start my own org instead.

     Gladly, there seems to be no way this is ever going to happen.

     @Gargron

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 02:15:32 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger I have a last question to ask, which is: you said that Gargron was trying to bring advertising to the Fediverse, and pointed to the SWF mission page, implying that that's what we're trying to and that by being a supporter, that's what Mastodon wants, also.

     I've told you that it's *not* our purpose. Will you keep saying that, regardless? And if so, what would it take for you to believe that it's not the case?

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 02:37:00 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger so, why are you skipping over those other ways that Fediverse servers can be supported?

   • Embed this notice
     katzenberger (katzenberger@mastodon.de)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 02:37:02 JST katzenberger

     in reply to

     • Evan Prodromou

     @evan

     Yes, you have told me that was not your purpose.

     Hence, let me re-quote what you have already quoted, from the web page where your foundation expressly states their "Mission". I'm going to highlight some parts, for your convenience:

     »Whether that’s advertising supported, or funded by charities and non-profits, or based on paid-for services, or affiliate revenue, we are working to find ways that companies can do well in the Fediverse.«

     I do not even have the number of legs that you obviously seem to be trying to pull here. 🤷♂️

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 02:42:41 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger I want to check: do you know that there are ad-supported Mastodon servers, and that there are ad-supported accounts?

     Would it make you more comfortable if we didn't acknowledge ads as a way that Fediverse services are supported?

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 02:44:32 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger OK. Good luck in your work, and don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to talk further.

   • Embed this notice
     katzenberger (katzenberger@mastodon.de)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 02:44:33 JST katzenberger

     in reply to

     • Evan Prodromou

     @evan

     Now that I have confronted you with a quote that expressly contradicts the claim you had made only minutes before, you're trying to deflect?

     Sorry, this discussion is a waste of time. Have a good day.

   • Embed this notice
     The Floprax (florprax@mastodon.social)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 04:21:02 JST The Floprax

     in reply to

     @Gargron Appreciated thank you.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 21:19:49 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger what do you think my agenda is? Based on what you know of me?

   • Embed this notice
     katzenberger (katzenberger@mastodon.de)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 21:19:50 JST katzenberger

     in reply to

     • Evan Prodromou

     @evan

     I'd like to see people stewarding a standard abstaining from openly instrumentalizing the standardization process for their own agenda.

     But then, I also see people posting things like "I’m going to continue doing the work I’ve done for the W3C and other ActivityPub projects: protocol refinement, documentation, meetings, speaking engagements, reports. But from here, I’ll be doing it with my SWF hat on."

     And when people openly say what they are going to do, I believe them.

     Which means, essentially, that I neither trust you, nor the foundation, and particularly not the "advisors" that foundation has chosen.

     [2024-10-26 Update: I have been asked to link to the source for the quote, it is https://write.as/evanp/announcing-the-social-web-foundation]

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 21:35:12 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger oh, and: I updated our mission page to better reflect what we're working on. Here's the new version of the paragraph that you objected to:

     "We want the Fediverse to be sustainable

     The Fediverse cannot thrive without those who build and maintain infrastructure like clients or servers, and social infrastructure like moderation. We want the people and organizations who provide those services to have the financial and mental health support they need for the long haul."

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Saturday, 26-Oct-2024 22:09:26 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • katzenberger

     @katzenberger We're doing strategic planning right now among the founders, and we've been discussing a change from "financially viable" to "sustainable" for a while, so I just did it. We'll make more changes to the Web site over the next few months, too. Please feel free to let me or the other team members know if there's something on the Web site that is giving you pause.

   • Embed this notice
     GNU/r000t (r000t@ligma.pro)'s status on Sunday, 27-Oct-2024 14:49:28 JST GNU/r000t

     in reply to

     @Gargron
     You won't see this message because the people who pull your strings, as an investor would, have told you to silence me.

     They control you, they control your software, and you don't even get the benefits of VC-backing

     Big winner right here.

     翠星石 likes this.
   • Embed this notice
     翠星石 (suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com)'s status on Sunday, 27-Oct-2024 14:51:10 JST 翠星石

     in reply to

     • shellsharks
     @shellsharks I suggest Pleroma or GNU social to join the free Fediverse, free of antifeatures like a very low character limit.
   • Embed this notice
     shellsharks (shellsharks@shellsharks.social)'s status on Sunday, 27-Oct-2024 14:51:11 JST shellsharks

     in reply to

     @Gargron What I want most most most is just the ability to post more than 500 chars at a time. Just make this something customizable by an admin! Pweeeez! I am too verbose for only 500 chars most of the time! 😅

     Edit: I'm aware of glitch-soc. I'm on a managed, vanilla-masto instance 😭