this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2023
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Fediverse

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The mastodon and lemmy content I’m seeing feels like 90% of it comes from people who are:

  • ~30 years old or older

  • tech enthusiasts/workers

  • linux users

There’s nothing wrong with that particular demographic or anything, but it doesn’t feel like a win to me if the entire fediverse is just one big monoculture.

I wonder what it is that is keeping more diverse users away? Is picking a server/federation too complicated? Or is it that they don’t see any content that they like?

Thoughts?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago

I wonder what it is that is keeping more diverse users away?

The more diverse users are the ones that aren't realistically worried about their online privacy and are too used and comfortable with what the big names offer. They're more likely to be the ones that would only move once "everyone they know" moves.

Also, consider that the "advertising", the message and reason for joining the fediverse, It's like [Twitter/Reddit/Instagram] when they were good, minus the corporate meddling and greed and algorithmic shit shoveling!, only really catches the attention of a few types of people.

Average Joe and Jane won't move out, "there's nobody there (that they care about)". Internet famous Joes and Janes won't move either, because they will lose a significant portion of followers.

People are willing to put up with A LOT of shit to avoid moving out of places like Instagram, Twitter, Reddit or Tiktok, since the time spent there makes them feel like it's a place where they belong to.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Gosh I feel like this guy called me out.

But then I saw the user name.

Hmmm.....

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

This is also me: I'm a 39 year old Ubuntu user who has been excited about the Internet since the day I first learned what a modem does, in maybe like, 1990?

So far I think Lemmy's a bit too technical for regular people to get started with the Fediverse and to figure out how to find the right communities to join in order to have content show up in their feed comparable to what they're already getting at a commercial service, which takes no effort at all to continue to scroll. Why would a normal person want to use alpha release software? We're still in the early days, we're the early adopters.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Probably so. But then why are Android and Android Apps struggling for engagement? But more randoms, casuals, just a wider overall demographic will be needed for niche communities to become viable.

The communities I mainly communicated in on Reddit either don't exist, or have paltry engagement here.

This is why I am keeping my Reddit account active to make posts in these forums to invite others over here to build engagement.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

"You must be new here"

We're always the first adopters.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Picking a server is complicated... And I still don't get how to get content from other servers into my main feed.

But the other thing is monitization. If you build up a decent filling on TikTock for example, they pay you. My kids friends are all chasing that.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Working aged zoomer here, it's amazing how much my generation doesn't know about computers in some aspects and how much they know in others. It seems I was born in a sweet spot when things still difficult but not completely dumbed down.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Hah, I fit the description perfectly. Not too sure how to take that. ☹️

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

we are the kind to early adopt new stuff

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm normier than the listed demographics and find the Fediverse and it's associated jargon to be inline with 4 dimensional crochet in terms of ease of use

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

To make myself clear I'd rather be confused about lemmy servers than ever, ever use Discord as a wiki

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Most people are older than 30.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Reddit began in a similar fashion, so its a positive trait for sure

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

You just described the demographics of the average early tech adopter.

Old enough to understand the importance of privacy and to care about the federation aspect of the fediverse, tech savvy and nerdy enough to not be discouraged by an unfamiliar interface and still developing environment. And apparently we like Linux too.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

I fit the profile

[–] thelsim 8 points 2 years ago

Bah, I'm three raccoons in an overcoat.
Who.. have a steady IT job.. dang it.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago

I don't mind a monoculture if it keeps morons away, that's a price worth paying. The reason I started using Reddit in 2009 was to escape the comment section of YouTube. Erik from Internet Comment Etiquette has been doing sterling work educating the Mongol Hoardes but they're still not ready.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago

There are a many people over the age of 30 on Reddit as under. People like us make up 50% of reddit users.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (6 children)

I'm a 20 year old. I may be the only one in this thread unable to drink legally lol

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (3 children)

24 yr old tech worker / Linux user checking in! I'm not old yet but I've got the spirit!

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

2* y.o. Linux user & sysadmin/sre/devops/younameit checking in.

I am still gonna use reddit for porn only, using patched Reddit app (by Revanced manager). 😂

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I spent most of my time on Reddit in the learn programming subs, so I'm glad at least that demographic has moved here. I'm almost 34, don't work in tech but want to, don't use Linux but want to (and if the rumors of windows adding ads to the OS are true I will switch to Linux full time except for gaming). I wasn't really that invested in the reddit API changes but I liked reddit when it was more under ground and wild west. I used to spend a lot of time on rcsources (those days are behind me regardless, though). So I wanted to see if there was still room on the internet for the outlaw tech cowboy shtick, and Lemmy stepped up to the plate.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago

I'm 3 out of 3. Sorry I don't have a good answer for you.

My unfounded guess is that this demographic has seen the internet at it's beginings and is more willing to put up with the lack of bling and willing to discover/ build things from the ground up, just like the Forums of the Old in the mythological era were done. No corporations, no low effort rewards, no likes/ karma/ whatever. You have to actually get involved for lemmy to live.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (5 children)

I feel it's complicated for the non-tech users but interestingly I have started to see some folks coming to Lemmy because I (a tech friend) started using it and advertising to them. I think it's these early adopters who play a major role in bringing the non-tech folks and people from other diverse culture.

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