Notices by Mastodon Migration (mastodonmigration@mastodon.online)

@MediaActivist

There are reports that Bluesky too is 'quieter'. Think we are just going through a lull in the news cycle.

What happens when you combine AI and the 'manosphere'? If you think it's got to be really bad, you'd be absolutely right.

"Hardmaxxing is NECESSARY. Softmaxxing alone will NEVER mog you into viability..."

Highly recommend checking out @molly0xfff's latest reporting on :

https://hachyderm.io/@molly0xfff/114604385971547700

@aral @Npars01

Did you see the video?

Video: Scott Pelly | The Meaning of You - Wake Forest University Commencement Speech 2025

In this inspiring speech, Pelley reflects on the power of truth, the importance of courage, and the role of education in shaping a better future... This address celebrates resilience, hope, and the enduring impact of service and integrity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9CCgmvq9O4

"Why attack universities? Why attack journalism? Because ignorance works for power..."

@ieeespectrum

☝️ This is, as they say, HUGE!

Folks, please welcome IEEE Spectrum to Mastodon!

IEEE Spectrum (https://spectrum.ieee.org/), since 1964 the flagship publication of the IEEE (https://www.ieee.org), is one of the world’s most trusted and authoritative sources of news and information about new and emerging high-impact technologies.

And now they are here on Mastodon!

Hope everyone realizes that whatever else they think about this new #Bluesky blue check stuff, that a centralized validation authority is not a characteristic of a decentralized platform.

@quillmatiq

Yes sure, but not talking about arcane ATProtocol stuff. 99.9% of Bluesky users now have one verification regime that they must appeal to. The authority is centralized with Bluesky PBC.

@quillmatiq

Again, you keep pivoting to the decentralizable conversation.

@quillmatiq

Absolutely not. The distinction has always between decentralized and decentralizable.

Whenever Bluesky says they are decentralized they actually mean they are potentially decentralizable. It's the difference between future potential and current reality. It is always more attractive to sell unrealized futures.

Whenever called out on their vaporware marketing it is always, 'we have this or that technical feature in AT Protocol, so what we are selling is potentially feasible.'

@quillmatiq

Understand your frustration. You see all the cool things going on and are excited about the potential for the AT Protocol. However, right now 99% of the users are concentrated on Bluesky PBC, so it is not, in reality, decentralized. Maybe someday, but a lot would have to happen, in addition to technical feasibility for the platform to be truly socially decentralized.

@wjmaggos @quillmatiq

Why do we care about decentralization?

Found the discussion today with @aral very instructive.

https://mastodon.ar.al/@aral/114562595151697750

He points out that the degree of real centralization in a network reflects the power distribution. Think this is a brilliant way of framing the issue.

Bluesky has a censorship problem.

In the last few weeks some Turkish and Gaza users have been blocked due to government pressure or to avoid future pressures. Right now there is an appeal signed by hundreds to Bluesky moderation: https://mastodon.online/@mastodonmigration/114564513570490377

Let's be clear. It is not really Bluesky's fault. It's a centralized platform controlled by a US corporation and has no choice but to accede to political pressures.

Truly decentralized, public social media is the only defensible solution.

Bluesky Censoring Gaza Accounts

A situation seems to be developing with Bluesky's large scale moderation of accounts from Gaza.

#Bluesky user Alex Winter recently posted the screenshot below.

Here is a link to the referenced letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_ycgklimHHszjCItkk8y0CFu306kNgST3mpRNT4jV3g

Would like to point out that because of the centralized nature of the Bluesky platform this type of appeal is the only recourse. In the Fediverse/Mastodon blocked users have the option to relocate to a different server.

@aral

Love your perspectives on this. In particular, that decentralization or more accurately the degree of centralization is about power, not purely technological feasibility. And further, that the technology can serve to facilitate real user decentralization or not. In this context the default .social is an anti-decentralization technological implementation, and @stux recommendation of a short list is a decentralization enabler. Or course that means willfully distributing power.

@aral

No argument. Have been writing about this a lot within the context of Bluesky's claims about being decentralized. There are two aspects to 'decentralization', one the technical structure of the network, and second the actual user distribution and commensurate power differentials. A decentralizable network where users are all consolidated on one node, is not decentralized at all. Or, as you point out, in the case of Mastodon (and email), only imperfectly decentralized.

@aral

Well, in the sense that it is 'only' 30%, it is indeed decentralized. But you make a great case for mastodon.social folks (or mastodon.online for that matter) moving to smaller independent instances, or as you have done creating their own. Pretty cool to have the option to do so.

So, it's a really bad idea to send Bluesky a picture of your official government ID!

Folks, while on the subject of #Bluesky privacy practices (https://mastodon.online/@mastodonmigration/114559301810012438), it is entirely up to you, but if you get locked out of your Bluesky account and they ask you to send an image of your passport, highly recommend that you don't do it.

h/t @batist3 https://mastodon.social/@batist3/114559352437142467

@Em0nM4stodon

Been wondering if the verification information you provide to Bluesky using the required Google form is data you really want to be sharing with a corporate entity.

https://bsky.social/about/blog/04-21-2025-verification

@AAKL

Apparently the form asks for a picture of your official government ID.

Folks, don't send Bluesky a photo of your official government ID.

h/t

'Noteable' account verification on Bluesky uses Google Forms.

So, get this. To receive one of these blue check things on #Bluesky you need a Google account and must submit your personal information using a Google Form.

Kinda feel like asking millions of people to send you personal info over Google Forms may not be the most privacy aware or well thought out way to go.

h/t @AAKL https://infosec.exchange/@AAKL/114557737856374789