There is a huge emphasis I see on just growing community size and creating an alternative to reddit.

Back in the day we used to hang out in irc chats with 5-10 active users or forums with few thousand users max. I made friends there I visted across countries. Years after Id log in and people would ask how you’ve been.

I had a reddit account for over 10 years and I dont think a single person would recognize my username. Its always felt like people aren’t talking to you but trying to appeal to the whole audience for points. Reddit exploits our psychology for attention but nothing humane is gained there. The super massive “community” ends up as a void where 99% of posts go completely unseen and any discussions suffer heavily from mod mentalities.

If this a place where even just ten people call home but feel good doing so, that is more good than a million being miserable. Maybe the best alternative is not to be reddit altogether.

Besides, good things have a natural tendency to spread, we don’t need to focus on it.

  • oranges@lemmy.mlEnglish
    11·
    2 years ago

    Completely agree… I see so many posts with “I would like this feature from Reddit etc.” But honestly, it’s quite refreshing to have something different.

    The API changes were just the straw that broke the camel for me as after 13 years plus on the platform, it didn’t even resemble what I initially signed up for.

    I legit hope Lemmy doesn’t turn in to a Reddit 2.0 where every reply to question is someone trying to be a smart ass and where not conforming to the ideology of the masses gets you nuked.

    I too remember the days of IRC and I remember sitting in certain channels where we would all take turns in staying silent and allowing someone on the chat to hit the record voice and play a Jazz song they loved. I would sit there all night listening to and sharing music with people from all over the world drinking beers and chatting among ourselves.

    Man, the early days of work arounds and early internet I miss. Every night of surfing was seriously exciting as you never knew what you would stumble on or find. Now it’s the same dozen websites over and over rinse and repeat.

    Anyhow, nostalgia and gripe over… I agree 100%.

    I’m really enjoying Lemmy as is and don’t want to be wishing it away any time soon !