The hardest part in trying to write about #Threads is figuring out how to compassionately describe both sides of the divide.
On one hand, I’m rooted in the #Fediverse camp and you have all seen me making fun of the cringe and status-chasing on Threads.
On the other hand, I’m a marketer and a long-time lover of many mainstream web spaces. I don’t hate a lot of popular culture. And I missed so many of the people who only now migrated from #Twitter.
Yes, I want to make fun of those silly celebrity posts.
Yes, I want to criticize Meta as a large corporation and that the most popular Twitter alternative is owned by yet another weird billionaire.
Yes, I want to explain why I adore #Mastodon and the #Fedi and why dismissing us here is silly
But I don’t want to imply that any group here is bad, uncultured, inferior, or stupid. I’m on both. I’m planning to stick around on both. And I don’t want to feel pressured to deny any of the good
@mariyadelano I think there is a lack of understanding that some people are looking for the garbage #Threads is giving them. They want mindless celebrity posts and memes and sports and don’t want to hear about what Presidents and Prime Ministers are doing right now. It’s ok to check out of the hard stuff, many of us with PTSD need a break from constantly fretting about the state of the world and that’s ok.
@mariyadelano 🫂 Everyone will use the tools they are comfortable with, and which connect them to those they care about. There is very little "one is right, the other is wrong".
Practicality over purity.
Purity breeds contempt.
I won't 💩 on anyone over their choice. Friends are involved in communities w/ zero chance of migrating away from Meta. That inability to migrate isn't entirely on Meta, it isn't entirely on the users unable or unwilling to move.
Different ppl have different needs. Sometimes I feel frustrated with people still on Twitter, but I also know it’s not easy to leave any algorithm-driven social environment — they are designed to keep eyeballs on content as long as possible, collect data, & sell products. For some ppl, these platforms may be necessary until we create something better.
@Teri_Kanefield has a terrific blog post where she explains each different environment in plain language. It’s a superb summary.
@zoomar that’s been one of the main developments that I’ve paid attention to there. Wonder where it will end up because they did flock, then a bunch of them got booted off the platform… we have to wait and see.
Moderation is one of the biggest problems especially with a giant user base like Meta’s
@mariyadelano I can't see it as a problem. You can post on #Threads and still don't agree with Meta's policy. There's nothing bad about it.
You've posted some cringe, so what? It's not a Meta's problem, it's people's problem. I am sure you can find cringe anywhere if you keep looking.
I say, you make a decision and accept the consequences. As for me #Threads will not bring me any value in promotion. But if you understand why you need this new media, go for it.
@mariyadelano why do you think when you post something matters? I believe you post it when you feel like it. People will read it when they have time. If it's good, they'll read it anyway, if it's not—timing doesn't matter.
@mariyadelano@evgenylepekhin Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to create your own personalized algorithms to manage your feeds? Something along the lines of iOS shortcuts.
@mariyadelano how do you decide when it's the best time to publish something? You readers live in different time zones, how to be sure you get the max attention?
For example, I'm across the globe now, it's 12:50 pm, and in NY it's 4 am. But I am chatting with you and get your posts.
Also of others will follow the same logic, there'll be more posts on certain hours, and we'll get back where we started: we will ask for algorithms. That's how they appeared in the first place.
@mariyadelano I’m legitimately interested in hearing what are the positive experiences with Threads. There are friends of mine moving there and seem to enjoy it. I also see a lot of criticism here “like a shotgun blast of spam to the face”. I’m not interested in Threads myself but am interested in honest assessments.
@mariyadelano all platforms have there good points alongside there downsize. Each platform caters certain types of users. Really there is no need to debate about platforms. I don't hate any platform. Free will decisions determined to use a platform. Variety in social platform is the spice of life. No need to criticized other platforms. Use or not is in the hands of the user.
@mariyadelano “The medium is the message”, and raw numbers aren’t the only factor affecting promotion placement. Your brand(s) identity will inevitably be associated with the company they keep on social media. So, you have an audience size vs. brand identity choice to make for each possible channel.
It’s probably too early to tell for Threads, since numbers and profiles of active users, tuning of the timeline algorithm, and the app itself are all in flux. The decision has been made for Twitter - many big brands are deciding that they don’t want their brand associated with the channel. The fediverse is a smaller but IMO a more select audience, and one that has more control over what it sees, so getting a view there may outweigh many more in other channels.
So, time for a bit of brand identity thinking to figure out which channels will get seen by the customers you really want.
@mariyadelano If we think about social media platforms as public squares, who do you think should own a public square? I think the only right answer is "the public". Most people, however don't have time, energy or knowledge to work from principles, so they choose what is convenient. I don't think that most people who buy sneakers would say they support child slavery but they just don't factor that in when making purchases.
@mariyadelano If I were to ask you to write compassionately about both a factory farm and an animal sanctuary, what would you do? Whatever answer you pick is the same one you can use here.
@mariyadelano Back in my day, people used to follow a variety of sites and platforms. Just because I'm on fediverse doesn't mean I'm not active elsewhere. I have kbin and mastodon when I want to talk to my nerdy friends, Blue Sky for when I want to spend time in normy space, and reddit because I have an addiction, and I'm trying to ween myself rather than try and fail to go cold turkey.
@mariyadelano I've opted to just stay out of it for the most part. There are some legitimate concerns, a lot of FUD, and a vocal minority that wants the Fediverse to be a walled garden. But Threads is coming and ultimately nobody knows what it actually means. Other than maybe more corps & orgs will follow, either their or doing their own federated thang
@mariyadelano I find it easy being disinterested in using Threads for the many reasons outlined, but excited that a whole bunch of people that didn't take to Mastodon in November last year (and stayed on Twitter) will soon be accessible to me once more via ActivityHub. If they want to use Threads that's fine - I think it's shortsighted, but I can understand the appeal. At the end of the day the people are still important to me, so it's a positive development.
@mariyadelano I find that a lot of the newer platforms really need to burn in before making any evaluations. I create an account and observe for a year. Threads Bluesky and whatever else that’s spawned as an alternative to Twitter may have their uses better suited to different purposes. They may not be the alternative at all when their features are truly exercised.
@mariyadelano
I feel you. This place is where I learn, get inspired, and do things. Twitter was like that for me at one time.
Threads is where you go to blow off steam after work. At least for now. It will evolve into a stable form at some point, and then we'll see what it will be long term.
Both have their place.
I get it, and I have no particular interest in what celebrities have to say. Especially when it is ascribed value greater than any other person. If someone is engaging with me, I am interested. If they are broadcasting, I am not - do that on TV, a blog, or radio.
@mariyadelano Even reading through the replies you've gotten so far - still some folks want to offer negativity. Disappointing.
I think the only way to do it with kindness is to not center any debate on the content "quality" of various platforms. It is far too subjective. The content on #Threads isn't "garbage" because one doesn't like it. I think it's great content. The #Fediverse debate won't be settled over content because these camps want fundamentally different things. And that's ok.
@mariyadelano personally I like that there are more choices now. I have zero interest in anything Meta, but I get that some people want to try it, especially people selling stuff. My husband is an artist and is planning to check it out. I hope that even more options emerge. Elon bros can have Twitter, celebrities can have Instagram/Threads, I'm not sure who wants Facebook, and I hope more people come here. And hopefully there will be even more options soon for people who want something else.
@Jennifer_Pinkley@mariyadelano if the options include using ActivityPub it won't matter that much. Like if Flickr joins the party they can do their thang and interact with everyone else too.
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