This move definitely puts a dent in my trust in Mastodon. Let's hope for the best, but I will also start looking for alternative implementations of #ActivityPub.
@jwildeboer you don't need to explain yourself, that is fine. I was trying to start a discussion about the specific correlation of having Biz Stone in the board with the dent of trust, but if that was a misrepresentation on my side, then I don't have any comments.
@jwildeboer if I would bet I would say not much will change in terms of operations. I am guessing this change is for mastodon software not, the mastodon.social instance, so I don't expect this to have any implications on data privacy and stuff. 1/
@jwildeboer the first one, is that after exhausting all avenues, and in need of more funding to continue supporting, maintaining and developing Mastodon at the pace the community requires it was necessary to open another avenue of funding in the US.
Another reason would be a pre-commitment from some entity (e.g.. Meta/Threads) to pledge some funding, and the necessity of having an US entity.
In both cases, a board is necessary to form, and it is not always easy to do it. 3/
@jwildeboer it could have been that some advisors suggested these names, or that it was required to find a profile like these people, in any case, there is only a few short-list that could get those seats.
In any case, it is good news to Mastodon to have more funding. Either for survival or for development, it is good news, I rather have that than a stalled or inexistent product.
The only question, would be, if there is extra funding, who will decide how to invest it?
@jwildeboer that is a case where the board plays a crucial role in.
Marketing, operations, development, etc. All of those require money. Is Mastodon going to decide in base to the US board or to the global team? Is the funding going to be managed separate? Is the US money going to fund US board suggestions?
@mapache but funding to non-profits comes with expectations that you will do specific things with it. And the people on your board to a lot to make introductions to people with money that are willing to donate, but also frames who you are introduced to, what interests they have and what conditions they place on the money they give you.
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