# Mastodon: A New Era for Social Media?
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Chapter 1: The Great Migration
With major tech platforms like Meta and Twitter facing significant challenges, many users are considering a shift towards decentralized alternatives. This movement, often dubbed "The Great Twitter Migration," reflects an unprecedented transition from one micro-blogging platform to another. The decline of established platforms, compounded by the controversial acquisition and management changes at Twitter by billionaire Elon Musk, has prompted users to seek new digital homes.
Navigating change can be daunting, especially for those who prefer familiar environments. As someone who identifies as an introvert, the prospect of shifting from one platform to another feels increasingly exhausting. There’s a fear of becoming socially "homeless" if this trend continues.
In times of upheaval, many instinctively follow the crowd when a leader emerges. For many, that leader has been Mastodon—a platform that, while not entirely new, has gained traction amidst the turmoil. However, it appears that only a fraction of social media users are truly making the leap to this new space.
Sometimes, exploration involves a bit of trial and error, and that has certainly been my experience.
Welcome to the Fediverse
The term "Fediverse" combines "Federation" and "Universe," describing a network of interconnected servers primarily used for micro-blogging. Each server, or "instance," operates independently yet can communicate through the open-source software known as ActivityPub.
For those who recall the early days of the internet, this setup resembles the original decentralized nature of online communication. It's essential to understand that one doesn’t need to be a tech expert to appreciate how this framework enables interaction across various networks.
If the Fediverse represents a universe, its smaller systems include networks like Pleroma (2016), Friendica (2010), and the most widely recognized, Mastodon (2016). These networks consist of even smaller units known as servers or instances, often categorized by shared interests, geography, or language. Some serve a large user base, while others might host only a handful of individuals. For instance, my server, newsie.social, caters specifically to journalists and news enthusiasts.
Each server is managed by an individual or collective responsible for its funding and upkeep. Users select a server that aligns with their interests, granting them access to the broader Fediverse. Generally, the smaller the server, the better, as size can be more of a hindrance than a benefit in this ecosystem.
Given the open-source nature of the network, various readers can be utilized to navigate it. Each allows users to post short messages, images, GIFs, and videos while also viewing others' updates. Unlike Twitter, which began with a 140-character limit and later expanded to 280, Mastodon typically allows for posts up to 500 characters.
Mastodon: A New Beginning
Launched in October 2016 by Eugen Rochko, a 29-year-old German engineer and CEO of the nonprofit Mastodon gGmbH, Mastodon arose from Rochko's disenchantment with Twitter. He envisioned a platform where sharing brief messages wasn't monopolized by a single corporation.
You might already be familiar with Mastodon, even if you think it’s a recent discovery. Notably, the former U.S. president has a social media platform called "Truth Social," which operates on a Mastodon server but remains separate from the wider Fediverse. As of now, Truth Social has about half a million daily users.
By October, Mastodon boasted 4.5 million user accounts—quite modest compared to Twitter's reported 400 million. However, following Musk's Twitter acquisition and the subsequent layoffs, Mastodon gained over 500,000 new users, reaching over a million active daily users. While this growth is noteworthy, it pales in comparison to Facebook's two billion daily active users and Twitter's 200 million. Nonetheless, a shift in content dynamics could occur if influential figures, including journalists and celebrities, decide to join Mastodon.
Could a small group catalyze a mass exodus?
Healthy Communities and Limitations
Reflecting on my upbringing in an evangelical church that experienced rapid growth, I recall how the founders believed that spiritual health depended on nurturing smaller groups. As the church expanded, it would send out new pastors to create offshoots, fostering healthy, manageable communities.
This principle likely applies to various organizations, where scalability can lead to inefficiency or, at worst, collapse. The potential for decentralized networks of independent servers, utilizing open-source protocols, is immense. Before profit-driven silos became the norm, this was the very foundation of the internet.
A Clash of Cultures
Currently, there’s a cultural clash brewing between long-time users of the Fediverse, who sought refuge from corporate social media, and a wave of newcomers fleeing Twitter. The existing users view this influx as an invasion rather than an enhancement to their community.
Many established users feel overwhelmed by the sudden change, often responding with demands for newcomers to conform to their norms. My encounters with the "Old Guard" have been challenging; they seem resistant to change and resentful of new arrivals, likening their situation to an indigenous population facing colonization.
This dynamic can be reminiscent of fragile subcultures that prioritize sensitivity to avoid offending anyone. While it’s essential to protect individual rights, the focus here seems to shift from safeguarding freedoms to appeasing sensitivities.
Content warnings (CWs) have become a contentious issue. While they can be helpful for hiding distressing material, some users argue that even political discussions should be shielded from view. This approach contradicts the fundamental principles of social media, where open dialogue is paramount.
The New Game Looks A Lot Like the Old One
If you were online in the 90s, using the internet today feels reminiscent of that era—more intimate and interactive, lacking the performance-oriented nature of modern platforms. There are no algorithms dictating visibility; posts are displayed chronologically. Users can like, boost, or respond to posts, with tools available to filter content according to personal preference.
One of Mastodon’s strengths lies in the ability of smaller communities to manage their content effectively. In cases of harassment or inappropriate behavior, users can quickly report issues to human moderators rather than relying on automated systems.
Upon joining, I was struck by the intimate atmosphere, reminiscent of the first day at summer camp, where everyone was new, exploring, and introducing themselves.
The Future of Social Media
Mastodon is not alone in its mission; it’s one of many platforms striving to redefine social media. While it has its challenges, the concept of a community-driven, self-hosted environment composed of diverse groups holds promise.
Social media may always face challenges, given human nature and technological limitations, but this could represent our best opportunity for a fresh start. Striking a balance between freedom and structure may pave the way for a meaningful and lasting digital community.
As we grow older, skepticism towards new ideas often sets in, but maintaining an open and humble approach is crucial. Nevertheless, the pursuit of a better online experience is worth the effort.
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The first video, "Mastodon and the Future of Social Media" by Susannah, discusses the potential of Mastodon and decentralized platforms in the evolving landscape of social media.
The second video, "The Future of Decentralized Social Media," explores the implications and possibilities of platforms like Mastodon in a rapidly changing digital world.