Matthew Merkovich
Honest question: Why do YOU think people want Mastodon's user base to get bigger? You may even be one of those people, and if so, why do YOU want Mastodon's user base to grow?
Full disclosure: I don't really want or care for Mastodon to get bigger. But I also get why some people may want larger audiences for their art, or their observations about a topic, or any number of reasons.
I'm simply curious why larger social network platform size is viewed so broadly as being good or desirable.
Quinn Norton
@MattMerk it's a bit too much of an echo chamber, and size would help that. I would like to see it grow for a few other reasons as well, including normalizing distributed networks for normal non-tech people, fighting echo chamber effects and political relevance, given that social media is political now whether it likes it or not. Engaging with that and diversity would be good, and that means a bigger user base.
mekka okereke :verified:
Honest question: Why do YOU think people want more people on Titanic lifeboats? You may even be one of those people, and if so, why do YOU want the number of people on lifeboats to grow?
Full disclosure: I don't really want or care if more people get on these boats. But I get why some people don't want to tread water amongst sea ice in the North Atlantic. Particularly 3rd class passengers and crew.
I'm simply curious why more people in boats is desirable? I mean, I'm safe and warm!
Matthew Merkovich
@quinn I think the value of having a good echo chamber is underrated, but I also think that no one should remain solely and only in that echo chamber. I just wish there were more non-social network groups out there on the internet for said echo-chambering. Problem is, those groups get sucked into whatever is the latest social network hotness. And I have no idea what to personally do about that.
More IRL friends and acquaintances might be a good start for me. 😆
Quinn Norton
@MattMerk an echo chamber is not a supportive network, so i'd say no, echo chambers aren't good things. Echo chambers by definition don't help you think critically or understand when you're wrong.
Encouragement is an excellent thing! But it should be thoughtful and contextual and community based and not just GO OUR SIDE, OUR SIDE GOOD THEIR SIDE BAD which is basically most of social media right now.
Quinn Norton
@MattMerk but yeah, go make IRL friends. that might be the bigger crisis around the world right now.
mekka okereke :verified:
Silliness aside, this question is easy to answer if you shift your thinking from:
"How does more people on the Fediverse help *me*?"
To
"How does more people on the Fediverse help *them*?"
Paul Sutton
If people don't know about fedi, they won't have that choice to join and give it a go, I am here for conversation, not collecting likes or boosts.
A larger user base on here, could bring other parties such as mental health and other organisations, which could help people in need to reach out. That can't be a bad thing.
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