Mastodon – A Calmer, Algorithm-Free Social Platform
Mastodon is one of my favourite social media platforms. The vibe is completely different there compared to anywhere else that I’ve used.
Four key areas make Mastodon especially appealing as an alternative to mainstream social media.
It’s decentralised
It’s open source
It’s not for sale
It’s interoperable (part of the Fediverse)
This means it’s free to use, independent, doesn’t show ads (massive bonus), connects with other platforms via ActivityPub, and, possibly best of all, there’s no algorithm.
All of the above is becoming increasingly rare these days, which is what makes the platform so special.
The people
I started my account sharing WordPress and SEO related content, and have since switched to mainly posting my personal photography projects.
In both instances, I’ve been able to connect with some truly genuine, like-minded people. In addition to all of the above benefits, it’s the community that makes Mastodon such a joy to use.
The folks here are calm, quiet (as in not shouty), respectful, and thoughtful. On the odd occasion that I’ve asked for help or advice across my social channels, it’s nearly always Mastodon users who provide the solution. Hats off to you!
The pace
Mastodon flows at a slower pace than pretty much any other social media platform. While it may initially seem a little too quiet for some, you can fully tailor your experience based on the number of accounts and hashtags you follow.
I don’t personally follow many hashtags, as these will quickly fill up your feed. I much prefer to see my connection’s posts, then head to a hashtag when I’m in the mood for some additional black and white photography, or anything similar.
For creatives
Lastly, there’s a really nice creative community on Mastodon. It’s small, yet thriving. This makes it much easier to connect, keep up to date and avoid overwhelm.
The photography community is especially abundant, with some incredible talent on display. Also, Mastodon seems to be one of the only platforms that doesn’t completely trash the image quality in the preview.
In a world where everything seems to be changing and developing at a frightening pace, Mastodon refuses to conform to trends or normalities.
Instead, it plods along, providing a refreshing alternative to mainstream everything. I love it. If you’re reading this and we’re connected there, I just wanted to say thank you for your inspiration and consistently positive vibes.
