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@evan

I mute 'RT @' posts by filter. I came here to leave there, and largely I have (as have you I believe?).

Mastodon feels friendlier and more pro-social yet also a little 'bunkered'. I'll be honest, I have not put a great deal of time into it. That's not a reflection of the protocol or even my experience.

I'm a Brit with an internationalist mindset who acts locally. After the Brexit wars and Trumpism I'm a bit wary of social media in general. Things are friendlier here, mistakes pointed out less than jumped on, and (by design - I'm told) less viral. I guess you would know?

I'm also dealing with unfortunate circumstances that make me want to spend more time locally with face to face than on computers.

The people squatting handles, the refugees who didn't see the picture;: merely grabbed for something shiny when they thought Elin would sink the other ship .. well, they'll get it or they won't.

It will happen or it won't, and if it doesn't it doesn't, that will tell us something. That may not be a nice something. People so brainwashed by mass media, steered be machine learning, and lacking critical thinking that decentralised, anarchic conversation eludes the mass of them?

I hope that's not where it gets to. The anarchic nature of Mastodon and Activity Pub is fundamentally better suited to the world I think we need to build. It requires self-reliance and an ability to envision or envisage something bigger growing from small connections, momentary interactions, a network of networks. It possibly requires a critical mass that has not yet been reached? Or tools not yet developed? Or maybe, maybe it's all here and it's only a matter of when and not if?

I was horrified to see on your timeline a poll asking when people would engage with the 2024 election. The US system is so broken and flawed. Billions spent over half the time a President serves, and FFS the last turd that landed in the punchbowl? Wow. I almost chose not to reply to your post.

You did good, I think, Evan. I have some optimism. But screaming about things not taking off is going to change about as much as an election ... and like that subject, put many off.

@drvolts (I think it was - and apologies if it was someone else David) demanded 'minute by minute' updates on the "Boebert situation" after the polls closed at the mid-terms. He took umbrage at my pointing out the absurdity of this, in something he could not change the outcome of. The die was cast. And electoral politics changes little in late-stage neoliberalism anyway.

The incremental nature of what has become achievable by politicians won't solve jack shit. Too much power handed to money, finance, and vested interests now since the Thatcher-Reagan reforms. The climate crises will not be solved by existing institutions. Even knowing that .. I'm here and not here. I have to put my house in order ... a Buddhist idea regarding proper priorities.

Have a nice day. You aren't shouting into the wind or a desert.