I think you're on the right track with Mastodon. It will take time (a few years, probably) but I believe that gradually more and more journalists and people in general will travel a similar path. Owned platforms (whether by shareholders or one rich guy) are going to all fall into the same traps. In most of life we have to just put up with doing things the make-somebody-rich way, but with Mastodon and the fediverse as an option, we can have a free, global, social media platform that works the let's-all-share-important-news-and -fun-views-and-cat-pics way.
IMHO, your voice is clearest on X despite it being a hellscape. Sadly, it is the platform that provides you the largest audience.
Your countering voice will be greatly welcomed back by me & so many others. We need help to get truthful, trusted, & unbiased information out to the largest audience possible, especially regarding elections which are occurring around the globe. Your skills & worldly experiences are unique & irreplaceable.
I know it’s a terrible & difficult choice to make, however we are in a time when compromise is rare & much needed. You’re missed & I hope to see you there again soon. 😊💙
It’s such a strange time for news and information sharing, because reliable sources are often sidelined or completely drowned out, as you’ve been.
Twitter prior to Elon was already a little too nasty, but now, Elon’s control has converted the town square into something worse than the dank, dark corners of the inner city after the bars close.
I follow you on Mastodon (and now here on Substack too), and I always find your journalism helpful. Ultimately, I’d like to see social media democratized so people who’ve joined other platforms can connect with the Fediverse too, so SM is less walled garden, and more town square again, but for now…I guess we’re stuck with choosing one or two, and seeing where things end up.
I don’t have any great advice, but I don’t understand people who suggest staying on Twitter to “fight the good fight”…because there’s really nothing left to win.
I’m one of those people who left Twitter in November 2022, and haven’t looked back. I enjoy Mastodon for the engagement, but also because it allows me to control and design my own social media presence in ways no other environment I’ve been in does. But I’d be happy to connect with others who’ve chosen BlueSky or Threads or something else. Someday…
Seriously, I have no idea what to tell you. I was always surprised how Facebook and Twitter (X) kept going. Used to be that social media sites came-up, were popular shortly, then people moved onto the next popular site (e.g. MySpace)
That link brings me right back to the broken yahoo address. I have a new address with Google which is the only one I use as it's the only one that works
Guess I need to spend more time on Mastadon, then.
I think you're on the right track with Mastodon. It will take time (a few years, probably) but I believe that gradually more and more journalists and people in general will travel a similar path. Owned platforms (whether by shareholders or one rich guy) are going to all fall into the same traps. In most of life we have to just put up with doing things the make-somebody-rich way, but with Mastodon and the fediverse as an option, we can have a free, global, social media platform that works the let's-all-share-important-news-and -fun-views-and-cat-pics way.
IMHO, your voice is clearest on X despite it being a hellscape. Sadly, it is the platform that provides you the largest audience.
Your countering voice will be greatly welcomed back by me & so many others. We need help to get truthful, trusted, & unbiased information out to the largest audience possible, especially regarding elections which are occurring around the globe. Your skills & worldly experiences are unique & irreplaceable.
I know it’s a terrible & difficult choice to make, however we are in a time when compromise is rare & much needed. You’re missed & I hope to see you there again soon. 😊💙
I'm so grateful you're on the Fedi. <3
It’s such a strange time for news and information sharing, because reliable sources are often sidelined or completely drowned out, as you’ve been.
Twitter prior to Elon was already a little too nasty, but now, Elon’s control has converted the town square into something worse than the dank, dark corners of the inner city after the bars close.
I follow you on Mastodon (and now here on Substack too), and I always find your journalism helpful. Ultimately, I’d like to see social media democratized so people who’ve joined other platforms can connect with the Fediverse too, so SM is less walled garden, and more town square again, but for now…I guess we’re stuck with choosing one or two, and seeing where things end up.
I don’t have any great advice, but I don’t understand people who suggest staying on Twitter to “fight the good fight”…because there’s really nothing left to win.
I’m one of those people who left Twitter in November 2022, and haven’t looked back. I enjoy Mastodon for the engagement, but also because it allows me to control and design my own social media presence in ways no other environment I’ve been in does. But I’d be happy to connect with others who’ve chosen BlueSky or Threads or something else. Someday…
Transmit on a frequency adjacent to a Numbers Station... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_station
Seriously, I have no idea what to tell you. I was always surprised how Facebook and Twitter (X) kept going. Used to be that social media sites came-up, were popular shortly, then people moved onto the next popular site (e.g. MySpace)
I would love it if you came back to Twitter.
I would subscribe but the email address you have is out of date and no longer operable. However you form does not allow me to change it. Wot ni?
Not sure what the issue is. What e-mail is listed. Here's a subscription link: https://www.steveherman.press/subscribe?gift=true
That link brings me right back to the broken yahoo address. I have a new address with Google which is the only one I use as it's the only one that works
First, I enjoy and look forward to your posts in spite of the fact that you post about news I wish you didn't have to post about.
I follow you on Mastadon and Twitter but don't tweet or follow twitter much because of the issues with the platform.
I think you are going about it the right way with informed decisions and tailoring your activity to that data.
Thanks again!