Disabled and chronically ill people have long used Twitter/X for community, fundraising, companionship and support. With folks leaving in droves - where will we go and how can we stick together?
I have a friend who raves about Mastodon, but I also hear it's hard to pick up. As someone who has never gotten along well with technology and generally avoids the social medias, can I just install it and have people help me navigate it? Is it basically like another Twitter but more difficult because it has more features?
Absolutely! You can install their app (mastodon) or look for a third party app like Ivory, Tusky or Metatext. Then you just have to pick a server and username and you will be up and running!
I have someone from Zeroes.ca who has volunteered to help sherpa anyone who feels a bit lost - so if anyone is interested let me know and I will put you in touch.
It's quite similar to twitter once you're on the server and start following people (and hashtags)
Oh I love that, that’s the server I am on and I enjoy it. The moderation is super fair I get reported fairly often by people who like Trump, they usually blow those off because they are not legitimate.
I think the reason people are intimidated by it is because you have to choose a server, but you can hop on whatever server it suggests when you set it up and then switch later. I don’t know how to migrate to a new server so I just started a second account once I figured out how it works.
And it doesn’t feed you suggestions on who to follow so that makes it harder than Twitter or you have to seek people out there’s no feed until you make one.
Yeah I think you’re right those are probably the two biggest hurdles. For me I just followed a TON of hashtags at the beginning which helped me find people to follow.
A lot of the Covid twitter accounts didn’t use social media prior to 2020 - so they never really learned the hashtag way I guess.
That’s why I plugged zeroes in my article - I figured I would take the guess work out of it and just point people towards a server I know to be a good one. The mods will even help you move OFF it if that’s what you want to do.
Thanks for this. I have similar concerns about people having a hard time finding community so I also wrote an article. You covered some good stuff I missed.
Oh thank you for sharing! I will read it this evening. Are we connected on Bluesky? (Sorry my brain is completely done right now). If we aren’t can you give me your handle?
Very well written and informative ! I also hate instagram and facebook like text based apps with conversations and communities that’s why I was so upset when musk took over my fave platform ! But Bluesky is a delight ! I will be using both I had threads but uninstalled it as it was boring
Same here - I was crushed when he took it over. Twitter was always my baby and I spent little time on any other socials. Thrilled that bluesky seems poised to do well - and I also have fun on Mastodon. It's similar to early twitter once you get past the server sign-up hurdle.
I just made a Blue Sky account and followed you there. I doubt I will be on it much as I wasn't on X very much lately, but we shall see. I kept the same handle, @2HeartCore4U.
I finally divorced myself from X yesterday. I’m mostly on Bluesky and here now. I couldn’t take it anymore.
I’ve threatened to leave before but my communities weren’t moving. Yet. This time feels very different.
I do have Mastadon but find it less intuitive. For one thing, I can’t figure out how to change/join other servers. Some day even my brain is functioning better…
You can only be on one server at a time - but if you want to change servers (ie if you want to try the Covid cautious one) I’ve got a lovely person who’s volunteered to help guide others through it. Let me know!
Oh yeah I couldn’t figure that out either so I made a second account on a different server. And it’s kind of cool because I could toggle between the two. I use the Ice Cubes app so I don’t know how it looks for anyone else but I can choose to bounce back-and-forth between the two accounts on the two different servers. I’m sure that’s not how it’s supposed to work, you’re supposed to be able to migrate to the new server, I just couldn’t figure that out with my brain fog.
And there is a way To see multiple feeds from multiple servers with multiple accounts, I just don’t know how to do that. There are instructions on mastodon if you follow fedi tips (or something like that) But my brain couldn’t handle it so I just made two accounts and go back-and-forth if I feel the need. Usually I just stay on the zeros server though
Thank you for these starter packs! I got on Bluesky during the last Twitter exodus, but it finally feels like a place with enough momentum to sustain engagement.
The vibe there is really different this go around. I was an early adopter (I think I was the 3.7 millionth member) and it was always pretty quiet until the last few weeks. More and more people joining in every day!
Glad you found the starter packs helpful as well :)
Just followed you on Bluesky (MsMiller). Mastodon is lovely, and I met a lot of lovely F1 fans (do not judge me; I judge myself), but it was a bit too tricky. Threads has a good disability/chronic illness community (I'm SassyLittlePod and TheHappyistOfficial there and Insta). I've not had issues with posting/seeing posts, but they are going to add ads in January, and it's Meta so...¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I've ignored Bluesky, but will have to make the effort. I looked into which apps post where. I used to love TweetDeck and Hootsuite, but then they got greedy and no. So I might try this: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-manage-bluesky-mastodon-and-threads-all-from-one-free-app/
Hang in there. Folks should start posting where they are going while his eyes are elsewhere because soon those posts will likely be blocked. If they aren't already. xo
Found and followed you! I don’t use meta anymore - especially because in Canada they block ALL news. So it’s effectively non functional for me sadly (all I ever see is ‘content not available).
Am on bluesky and Mastodon and will remain on twitter a bit longer to help usher people off there (if they want to leave).
It’s sad that people have to worry about being throttled or shadowbanned just for saying where they’re going - so I’m glad they can at least safely put their handles here if they want to stay in touch with me!
I can’t believe they do that in Canada! I am no fan of Zuck. At. All. I remember what a nice neighborhood Twitter was back in 2008, the lovely community we had. Then Ashton Kutcher came in and ruined it. RUINED IT! I will forever blame him for the downward spiral that followed.
Thanks for connecting with me on Bluesky. If I get active again on Mastodon, I’ll stalk you there. 😉 xo
Yeah it’s ridiculous and in my opinion basically renders the platform unusable. So on one I can’t get any news - on the other I can get news but I’m constantly harassed and threatened. Fun times. It’s one of the reasons I’m so sad by the uptick in trolling here. I’m tired.
Thankfully bluesky and mastodon seem much more civil.
It’s exhausting. Block early and often; it’s my new favorite thing. And the one thing I do love about Threads is removing the comment for all to see. And I do do that. I believe in free speech, I’m just over asshats. See you on Bluesky, sis. xo
You can remove comments here too! I’m doing it all the time right now. Turns out if you discuss abortion or women’s rights…. Hoo boy watch out. Same with masks. They really come out of the woodwork!
And it’s always people with like 40 followers and no avatar. LOL. It’s like, “Go out and make friends! And, if you can’t make friends, work on yourself, dimwit.” I’m not having it with the intentionally ignorant and angry. Not giving them the benefit of the doubt or a proverbial inch. xo
I vote for Mastodon first and foremost. Bluesky has corporate overlords like X/Twitter. Madtodon is truly people-powered, and therefore cannot be reshaped as X has been, and Bluesky could be one day. Just join any big server - I use @Mastodon.Online - Easy to change later to a different server if you wish. Love it there¡
I’m on there too! I love mastodon - it’s just been a struggle to get people to join (I don’t know why - I think it’s the servers and the lack of algo - you really have to put in some work to get connected to people as your feed is totally empty when you start.
As someone who doesn't watch the news and rarely uses social media, I found your article very informative. You also inadvertently introduced me to spoon theory, which I hadn't heard of before. Above all I appreciated the message of love in this post. The increasing amount of conflict in the world is a reminder to all of us to be peaceful with one another and make peace with our minds and bodies. A timely message, thank you.
Hey Robert - I’m so glad I could introduce you to spoon theory! I’m kinda kicking myself for not including information on it in the post - I incorrectly assumed everyone reading would know.
The spoon theory has been great for me as a way of explaining my energy deficit to others.
A tremendous read, thanks for your relentless work. New subscriber here & follow you on the dark side but re-developing my safe covid ⭕️ on 🩵🦋You’ve become one of my go-to’s. I’m @peacefulheart (CD) on 🩵(slight change from previous handle on x (“hart” instead of “heart”) I find it helps to connect a face with a handle. Be well, appreciate you so much 🙏🏻
See, I've always disliked Twitter *because* I prefer text. 280 characters (formerly 140) isn't enough space to say very much, so Twitter encourages people to rely on images (without alt text!) or video to say what they can't say in the character limit.
Hey! I mostly write threads on twitter for that exact reason. I’ve never been terribly pithy lol. But I adore the 5000 character limit on my mastodon server!
I am almost positive I found you on Mastodon, but maybe it was this newsletter first. Idk I don’t remember being connected to you on twitter, but I was mostly there for covid info.
I guess I just don’t understand how people feel OK staying on Twitter after he gave nazis Peter Hotez’ location so they could go harass him. I also don’t trust blue sky, especially now that the rich people have control of the government. That man is morally corrupt just like the others.
I’m pretty sure we connected on Mastodon before I launched the newsletter - I’ve found people from Mastodon to be the MOST supportive of my doing this (which is lovely).
I really like it there and just wish I could convince more people to give it a shot.
Quick lesson to control the algorithm. BLOCK ALL ADS. Block ALL TROLLS AND BOTS. Dismiss accounts/posts that you're not interested in. That option exists use it. Interact with accounts and tweets/posts you want to see more of and set notifications for them. I'm curating my lists on Blue Sky in a similar manner.
Yes good tips! It can be hard when you have a large volume of notifications to catch them all - but I try and clean up my followers as much as possible.
Also good to check what lists you’re on - if you’re on any negative ones they can encourage trolling.
Oh yeah I tried that when I was on Twitter unfortunately there were 500 Accounts made with those rainbow colors to sell Junk. Someone made a whole entire Twitter account just to follow all those junk accounts so people could block everyone on the follow list. I was also blocking ads I was blocking blue checkmarks that belong to Nazis. It didn’t matter I could blocks all day and the next day I was blocking ads all day again. I did this from the time Melon bought it until I left And every day it was AI ads for drop ship garbage.
The ads are a problem😕 But other than that I don't see much right wing shit at all 🤷♀️ When I do I either block or decide if I want to play with them😈
I have a friend who raves about Mastodon, but I also hear it's hard to pick up. As someone who has never gotten along well with technology and generally avoids the social medias, can I just install it and have people help me navigate it? Is it basically like another Twitter but more difficult because it has more features?
Absolutely! You can install their app (mastodon) or look for a third party app like Ivory, Tusky or Metatext. Then you just have to pick a server and username and you will be up and running!
I have someone from Zeroes.ca who has volunteered to help sherpa anyone who feels a bit lost - so if anyone is interested let me know and I will put you in touch.
It's quite similar to twitter once you're on the server and start following people (and hashtags)
Oh I love that, that’s the server I am on and I enjoy it. The moderation is super fair I get reported fairly often by people who like Trump, they usually blow those off because they are not legitimate.
Thanks for the help, both of you. I'm definitely going to check that out.
Aww so glad you’re on zeroes too! One of the mods there is awesome and is prepared to Sherpa anyone who wants to make the move.
I think the reason people are intimidated by it is because you have to choose a server, but you can hop on whatever server it suggests when you set it up and then switch later. I don’t know how to migrate to a new server so I just started a second account once I figured out how it works.
And it doesn’t feed you suggestions on who to follow so that makes it harder than Twitter or you have to seek people out there’s no feed until you make one.
Yeah I think you’re right those are probably the two biggest hurdles. For me I just followed a TON of hashtags at the beginning which helped me find people to follow.
A lot of the Covid twitter accounts didn’t use social media prior to 2020 - so they never really learned the hashtag way I guess.
That’s why I plugged zeroes in my article - I figured I would take the guess work out of it and just point people towards a server I know to be a good one. The mods will even help you move OFF it if that’s what you want to do.
Thanks for this. I have similar concerns about people having a hard time finding community so I also wrote an article. You covered some good stuff I missed.
https://colleensteckelmeiccinfo.substack.com/p/connecting-via-bluesky
Oh thank you for sharing! I will read it this evening. Are we connected on Bluesky? (Sorry my brain is completely done right now). If we aren’t can you give me your handle?
Thx 🌹🌻🌸💐💚💛💜❤️🌼😍🥰
Thank you for reading.
Very well written and informative ! I also hate instagram and facebook like text based apps with conversations and communities that’s why I was so upset when musk took over my fave platform ! But Bluesky is a delight ! I will be using both I had threads but uninstalled it as it was boring
Same here - I was crushed when he took it over. Twitter was always my baby and I spent little time on any other socials. Thrilled that bluesky seems poised to do well - and I also have fun on Mastodon. It's similar to early twitter once you get past the server sign-up hurdle.
I just made a Blue Sky account and followed you there. I doubt I will be on it much as I wasn't on X very much lately, but we shall see. I kept the same handle, @2HeartCore4U.
See you over there.
Found and followed you! I've also got a few starter packs on my profile with great people to follow if you want to have a look :)
Found and followed you on Blue Sky😊
Sorry I left the other comment before I saw this! I will go look for you now!
I finally divorced myself from X yesterday. I’m mostly on Bluesky and here now. I couldn’t take it anymore.
I’ve threatened to leave before but my communities weren’t moving. Yet. This time feels very different.
I do have Mastadon but find it less intuitive. For one thing, I can’t figure out how to change/join other servers. Some day even my brain is functioning better…
See you on the other side!
You can only be on one server at a time - but if you want to change servers (ie if you want to try the Covid cautious one) I’ve got a lovely person who’s volunteered to help guide others through it. Let me know!
Oh yeah I couldn’t figure that out either so I made a second account on a different server. And it’s kind of cool because I could toggle between the two. I use the Ice Cubes app so I don’t know how it looks for anyone else but I can choose to bounce back-and-forth between the two accounts on the two different servers. I’m sure that’s not how it’s supposed to work, you’re supposed to be able to migrate to the new server, I just couldn’t figure that out with my brain fog.
And there is a way To see multiple feeds from multiple servers with multiple accounts, I just don’t know how to do that. There are instructions on mastodon if you follow fedi tips (or something like that) But my brain couldn’t handle it so I just made two accounts and go back-and-forth if I feel the need. Usually I just stay on the zeros server though
Thank you for these starter packs! I got on Bluesky during the last Twitter exodus, but it finally feels like a place with enough momentum to sustain engagement.
The vibe there is really different this go around. I was an early adopter (I think I was the 3.7 millionth member) and it was always pretty quiet until the last few weeks. More and more people joining in every day!
Glad you found the starter packs helpful as well :)
Totally agree!
Thanks for the informative, enlightening and timely message - Blue skies ahead for me!
As always, Bob
I shall see you where the skies are blue!
You really should check out Spoutible.com the most features, no trolls, no abuse and a great community too
Hey Greg - I've had a few people recommend it - so I'm glad to hear that folks are enjoying it and finding it to be a good alternative.
Right now I'm completely maxed out and can't fathom another site - but I will keep it in mind if/when I'm able to add another!
Just followed you on Bluesky (MsMiller). Mastodon is lovely, and I met a lot of lovely F1 fans (do not judge me; I judge myself), but it was a bit too tricky. Threads has a good disability/chronic illness community (I'm SassyLittlePod and TheHappyistOfficial there and Insta). I've not had issues with posting/seeing posts, but they are going to add ads in January, and it's Meta so...¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I've ignored Bluesky, but will have to make the effort. I looked into which apps post where. I used to love TweetDeck and Hootsuite, but then they got greedy and no. So I might try this: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-manage-bluesky-mastodon-and-threads-all-from-one-free-app/
Hang in there. Folks should start posting where they are going while his eyes are elsewhere because soon those posts will likely be blocked. If they aren't already. xo
Found and followed you! I don’t use meta anymore - especially because in Canada they block ALL news. So it’s effectively non functional for me sadly (all I ever see is ‘content not available).
Am on bluesky and Mastodon and will remain on twitter a bit longer to help usher people off there (if they want to leave).
It’s sad that people have to worry about being throttled or shadowbanned just for saying where they’re going - so I’m glad they can at least safely put their handles here if they want to stay in touch with me!
I can’t believe they do that in Canada! I am no fan of Zuck. At. All. I remember what a nice neighborhood Twitter was back in 2008, the lovely community we had. Then Ashton Kutcher came in and ruined it. RUINED IT! I will forever blame him for the downward spiral that followed.
Thanks for connecting with me on Bluesky. If I get active again on Mastodon, I’ll stalk you there. 😉 xo
Yeah it’s ridiculous and in my opinion basically renders the platform unusable. So on one I can’t get any news - on the other I can get news but I’m constantly harassed and threatened. Fun times. It’s one of the reasons I’m so sad by the uptick in trolling here. I’m tired.
Thankfully bluesky and mastodon seem much more civil.
It’s exhausting. Block early and often; it’s my new favorite thing. And the one thing I do love about Threads is removing the comment for all to see. And I do do that. I believe in free speech, I’m just over asshats. See you on Bluesky, sis. xo
You can remove comments here too! I’m doing it all the time right now. Turns out if you discuss abortion or women’s rights…. Hoo boy watch out. Same with masks. They really come out of the woodwork!
And it’s always people with like 40 followers and no avatar. LOL. It’s like, “Go out and make friends! And, if you can’t make friends, work on yourself, dimwit.” I’m not having it with the intentionally ignorant and angry. Not giving them the benefit of the doubt or a proverbial inch. xo
I vote for Mastodon first and foremost. Bluesky has corporate overlords like X/Twitter. Madtodon is truly people-powered, and therefore cannot be reshaped as X has been, and Bluesky could be one day. Just join any big server - I use @Mastodon.Online - Easy to change later to a different server if you wish. Love it there¡
I’m on there too! I love mastodon - it’s just been a struggle to get people to join (I don’t know why - I think it’s the servers and the lack of algo - you really have to put in some work to get connected to people as your feed is totally empty when you start.
As someone who doesn't watch the news and rarely uses social media, I found your article very informative. You also inadvertently introduced me to spoon theory, which I hadn't heard of before. Above all I appreciated the message of love in this post. The increasing amount of conflict in the world is a reminder to all of us to be peaceful with one another and make peace with our minds and bodies. A timely message, thank you.
Hey Robert - I’m so glad I could introduce you to spoon theory! I’m kinda kicking myself for not including information on it in the post - I incorrectly assumed everyone reading would know.
The spoon theory has been great for me as a way of explaining my energy deficit to others.
A tremendous read, thanks for your relentless work. New subscriber here & follow you on the dark side but re-developing my safe covid ⭕️ on 🩵🦋You’ve become one of my go-to’s. I’m @peacefulheart (CD) on 🩵(slight change from previous handle on x (“hart” instead of “heart”) I find it helps to connect a face with a handle. Be well, appreciate you so much 🙏🏻
Thank you for dropping your handle - I will go find you! It’s nice to know I’m considered a “go to” person - you really made me smile.
See, I've always disliked Twitter *because* I prefer text. 280 characters (formerly 140) isn't enough space to say very much, so Twitter encourages people to rely on images (without alt text!) or video to say what they can't say in the character limit.
I'm glad to have you on the fediverse.
Hey! I mostly write threads on twitter for that exact reason. I’ve never been terribly pithy lol. But I adore the 5000 character limit on my mastodon server!
I am almost positive I found you on Mastodon, but maybe it was this newsletter first. Idk I don’t remember being connected to you on twitter, but I was mostly there for covid info.
I guess I just don’t understand how people feel OK staying on Twitter after he gave nazis Peter Hotez’ location so they could go harass him. I also don’t trust blue sky, especially now that the rich people have control of the government. That man is morally corrupt just like the others.
I’m pretty sure we connected on Mastodon before I launched the newsletter - I’ve found people from Mastodon to be the MOST supportive of my doing this (which is lovely).
I really like it there and just wish I could convince more people to give it a shot.
Quick lesson to control the algorithm. BLOCK ALL ADS. Block ALL TROLLS AND BOTS. Dismiss accounts/posts that you're not interested in. That option exists use it. Interact with accounts and tweets/posts you want to see more of and set notifications for them. I'm curating my lists on Blue Sky in a similar manner.
Yes good tips! It can be hard when you have a large volume of notifications to catch them all - but I try and clean up my followers as much as possible.
Also good to check what lists you’re on - if you’re on any negative ones they can encourage trolling.
Oh yeah I tried that when I was on Twitter unfortunately there were 500 Accounts made with those rainbow colors to sell Junk. Someone made a whole entire Twitter account just to follow all those junk accounts so people could block everyone on the follow list. I was also blocking ads I was blocking blue checkmarks that belong to Nazis. It didn’t matter I could blocks all day and the next day I was blocking ads all day again. I did this from the time Melon bought it until I left And every day it was AI ads for drop ship garbage.
The ads are a problem😕 But other than that I don't see much right wing shit at all 🤷♀️ When I do I either block or decide if I want to play with them😈
Maybe it’s different now I left Twitter a couple months after he bought it, and it was really gross.