Oddbean

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 @66087130 but that doesn't explain a choice between Mastodon and BlueSky because those variables are exactly the same for both platforms.

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 @b870d4c8 I have not tried Bluesky yet, because I don't have an invite code. But my understanding is that they have algorithmic timelines as well.

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 @66087130 no, it's a chronological there.

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 @b870d4c8 They have a bunch of other timelines like “What’s Hot” and “Popular With Friends”. And then you can also create custom algorithms to fit your preferences.
My point is that right out of the box you get an impression that there is a lot going on. I see Phillips O’Brien just left X, and he is ecstatic that his first post on Bluesky got 600 likes. That rapid success just doesn't happen on Mastodon.

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 @66087130 yes, the threshold to use and enjoy BlueSky is lower, but I don't think it's because of any algorithm. Mastodon also has explore tabs that show you popular posts. The problem is mostly that there aren't people who are popular on Mastodon, not that they are being hidden.

I'm sure if you look at George Takei's first posts on Mastodon you'll also see hundreds of likes. People followed Philips O'Brien over from twitter precisely because he made a credible promise to leave and invest.

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 @b870d4c8 The problem with Mastodon's explore tab is that it is server-wide. It is not tailored *for you*. That means that for most people it is at best mildly interesting to look at.

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 @66087130 I joined BlueSky about a week ago and followed about 200 people. Currently the 'for you' and 'popular with friends' tabs along the top are basically identical to my chronological timeline, so I don't see those tools as game changers or as explaining why public figures are currently flocking to BlueSky.

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 @b870d4c8 @66087130 Public figures are flocking to bsky? This is news to me, like who?

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 @16555d14 @66087130 journalists, academics, politicians.

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 @b870d4c8 @66087130 was hoping for at least a bit more specific. It is worth noting bluesky is still a quite small audience even compared to just mastodon.

You can see they are only about 1.4 million total users and the active user number is always a lot lower:  https://vqv.app/stats/chart

Mastodon has over 14 million users and 1.7 million active.

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 @16555d14 sorry I don't have energy to compile a list

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 @b870d4c8 I think @1fa29b3f has a point here. Anyways, from my colleagues in academia I constantly hear the same two complaints about Mastodon: It's complicated and there is no activity, so I won't even bother trying it. It's quite frustrating to be up against.
https://ruhr.social/@t_mkdf/111175934116953431

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 @66087130 @1fa29b3f I think Mastodon is too complicated and needs to be made more simple, but the "lack of activity" complaint doesn't stand up, unless it's code for lack of activity among certain influential people. (Which I think it is)

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 @66087130 @b870d4c8 @1fa29b3f "German bureaucracy" 😂

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 @c9a2a3ba @66087130 @1fa29b3f if it was really German bureaucracy you'd have to apply to join a server by faxing your signature to them.