Complete this sentence:

@fwtl

Note btw, that for the most part algorithms are not causing the issue of bad integrations between apps. These are due to the pragmatic nature in which our current app-centric fediverse evolves, i.e. by means of post-facto interoperability. Here app developers focus on getting app features on the wire, and whomever first succeeds in making their new custom protocol extension to become popular, becomes the de-facto standard for that feature. And everyone else should "follow the leader" or push themselves out of mainstream fediverse adoption, into their own app niche.

This is not a sustainable path, and I am among years-long advocates that we should do better in how we collectively evolve the fedi, so that it can truly become the social networking of the future. See also my posts from last week, like:

https://social.coop/@smallcircles/116109447243110037

#SX #SocialCoding #ActivityPub

@fwtl @smallcircles there’s a third path to avoid empty timelines vs ‘build your own’ and ‘algorithm’ - packs, which is what the Mastodon team are focussing on .. https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2025/10/our-ideas-about-packs/.

Because I saw your post and thought ‘oh but my timeline isn’t quiet’.. but rather than you having to find those 100s of accounts to follow to make it interesting, a pack supports different lists of accounts based on different interests. If they get it right (as they’ve got quotes right imho) then it could be really nice, and still no algo.

@smallcircles

For me, it is bustling! Loads of interesting people, with lots of clever, funny, curious etc. things to say.

Best of all, the lack of content promotion / selection algorithms, and instead a simple, chronological, algorithm coupled with filters, means I mainly see stuff of interest to me.

Genuinely, the best social media experience that I've had in a long, long time!

@smallcircles @fwtl

> I'm quite positively surprised at all the good social experiences people have.

Really?! This surprises me, but then perhaps I am biased precisely because I am one of those people.

@smallcircles

If anyone's Fediverse timeline is too empty, I've tried to do a list of all the ways to discover accounts and posts here: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-find-accounts-to-follow-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-how-do-i-find-my-friends

I've also done a list of all the ways to make your own account and posts more discoverable here: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-get-more-followers-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse

@smallcircles a quaint town

@smallcircles cozy village when I interact with my server or closer servers, more or less a small group of people, bustling city when I explore all the rest

@smallcircles "I experience the Fediverse as the original promise of the internet" : genuine human connections without the interference of corporate interests (or algorithmic manipulation)

@smallcircles
city, but quiet weekend city time

@smallcircles A big village with highly motivated and sometimes obsessive communities with specialist interests but plenty of shared fun.

@neil @fwtl

Don't get me wrong. I am one of those people too. My social experience is a cozy village, and I love to be on the microblogs, roam the timelines.

But there is also an ugly underbelly to our onlline cultures that is not properly acknowledged and discussed, let alone deep reflection on how to bring improvements. The fediverse is first of all a technosphere. Tech is created, rolled out, and culture must adapt accordingly. Externalities and unwanted side-effects are to be dealt with later, which is not easy in an app-centric fediverse where individual devs are in the lead of making feature decisions.

As an aside see this toot: https://social.coop/@smallcircles/116109447243110037

Just below the warm and fluffy surface of the cozy fedi culture there are parasocial tendencies and behavioral anti-patterns that make fedi a de-facto unsafe environment. If you don't know the mine fields and eggshells to walk on in certain areas, you may face harsh unexpected consequences, fedidrama.

We can do much better.

@smallcircles it's a manageable distraction

@_elena I totally agree with you.

Though I perceive existential threats that I have been posting heavily about the last 2 weeks. These exist for many years and are well-known, but are getting pretty urgent now. They hold risks we have not dealt with properly. Allow me to cross-ref to what I just posted in reply to @neil ..

https://social.coop/@smallcircles/116159137251812698

The current fediverse is a marvel. What will the future fediverse be? That is the question.

@smallcircles Growing town in a country that could do with better public transport options (i.e. more natural links between the different applications).

@brad yes, I agree. In particular the natural and organic aspect. Revolution by evolution. Thank you.

@scottrochester that made me laugh. Thanks.

@smallcircles @RolloTreadway
https://lankum.bandcamp.com/album/ghost-town

@smallcircles I had to think for a moment but I think I'd call it a space station. A place kinda out if this world ( as it's in direct violation of the corporate model of profit above all else). Where all kinds of fabulous aliens can exchange tips, ideas and convers on many different subjects in a mostly calm and civil manner while they wait to refuel

@smallcircles people obsessed with US politics when they don't even live there. That's how I experience it.

@smallcircles
Cozy Arkham Asylum.