You need to learn how to divide your text into sections. Here, I did it for you:
Some context: I used to be /u/Blackstar9000 on Reddit, particularly active in /r/TheoryOfReddit. However, I abandoned my Reddit account several years ago. For the past six years, I’ve been on the Fediverse, primarily using Mastodon. Last October, I deactivated my Twitter account. Having experienced various social media platforms, I’ve noticed certain patterns, which I want to discuss in this post.
Many of you are exploring Lemmy or Kbin due to recent events on Reddit (welcome to the Fediverse!). However, it’s likely that some of you will return to Reddit once things settle down. You might not think you’re one of those people, or you may be unsure of where you stand. I’m not here to dictate your actions; I just want to help you make an informed decision. The goal is to make a conscious choice instead of letting inertia guide you.
Several factors come into play here. First, you’re accustomed to Reddit. Despite not liking recent developments there, the platform feels familiar and comfortable, like a well-worn pair of sneakers. Any difficulties you encounter on the Fediverse will pull you back towards Reddit.
Second, the Fediverse is different. While Lemmy and Kbin aim to achieve similar functionality as Reddit, Digg, and other link-aggregating social sites, the federated nature of the Fediverse introduces unavoidable complications. Additionally, intentional design differences, not related to federation, may influence your experience. Some people adapt quickly, while others may dislike it altogether. In any case, there’s a learning curve, resulting in friction.
Third, Lemmy and Kbin are still evolving. These independent, open-source services are in the process of maturing into what they will become. Mastodon went through similar challenges, causing many users to give up on it during the early years when the user interface was rough and the feature set incomplete. People’s perception of Mastodon changed more slowly than the platform itself. It wasn’t until Twitter’s decline that adoption rates surged again. Mastodon may never become exactly like Twitter, but it now feels more polished and professional. We’re essentially building the airplane we’re flying on. Every Fediverse service that survives will undergo a similar process. If you’re not patient and realistic about this, it may push you away.
Fourth, the social aspect plays a role. If you’ve been on Reddit for a while, you likely have a mental map of your relationships on that platform. You may reconnect with some familiar faces here and even recreate some of the communities you were part of on Reddit. However, you can’t transplant your entire social network. To truly embrace this new environment, you’ll need to forge new relationships, which might include certain individuals from your past. This, too, adds friction.
All of these sources of friction accumulate, and the only remedy is determination. During this blackout period, you’ll hang out here while experiencing friction on both sides. A small minority will immediately take to the Fediverse and shift most of their activity away from Reddit. But this will only apply to a small fraction of users. Some will enjoy the Fediverse but divide their time between here and Reddit. However, for the majority, the pull of their history with Reddit will prevail relatively quickly. No hard feelings. We’re glad to have those who choose to stay. However, if you decide to return, make it a deliberate choice and not just muscle memory taking over. I’ve seen it happen time and time again: People try the Fediverse, only to drift back to the corporate platforms. Then, months or even years later, something new arises that alienates users, and some of them search through their emails to find their forgotten Fediverse account and login information (trust me, keep that info somewhere accessible). Returning is a valid decision! I simply want you to make that choice consciously instead of relying on muscle memory. If you do go back, set a limit for yourself. Determine what action would make you delete your account, so that if that action occurs, you follow through with your decision.
