@Onlineadviser @mike There have been fits and starts followed by recovery over the last 15 years, but over a sliding window of about two years the Fediverse has been always growing. I see no reason for concern for the network's future existence.
Too much growth with no calm period for recovery might even be harmful to the health of the existing community and the values that current people hold dear. There's a lot to figure out regarding how to handle a sudden tenfold or more increase in people.