#alternativesocialmedia — Public Fediverse posts

We are now on #twtxt

https://b0nfire.xyz/twtxt.txt

"a few years late, eh?"

It's at a friend's behest, and it doesn't cost me anything but a text file and a little care.

Smaller, incremental updates and planning posts will be made there, there's even a photo there that isn't here. 😲

wowzers! Check out twtxt: https://github.com/buckket/twtxt

#alternativesocialmedia #smallweb #indiewebsocial #indieweb

We are now on #twtxt

https://b0nfire.xyz/twtxt.txt

"a few years late, eh?"

It's at a friend's behest, and it doesn't cost me anything but a text file and a little care.

Smaller, incremental updates and planning posts will be made there, there's even a photo there that isn't here. 😲

wowzers! Check out twtxt: https://github.com/buckket/twtxt

#alternativesocialmedia #smallweb #indiewebsocial #indieweb

We are now on #twtxt

https://b0nfire.xyz/twtxt.txt

"a few years late, eh?"

It's at a friend's behest, and it doesn't cost me anything but a text file and a little care.

Smaller, incremental updates and planning posts will be made there, there's even a photo there that isn't here. 😲

wowzers! Check out twtxt: https://github.com/buckket/twtxt

#alternativesocialmedia #smallweb #indiewebsocial #indieweb

Wie viele Europäische Start-ups für eine Alternative zu den Big-Tech Plattformen wie Meta und TikTok gibt es bereits?

Mir fällt wedium ein. Lass mal sammeln. Mich interessiert, was sie anders machen wollen.

#alternativesocialmedia #eusociamedia #digitalact

Tumblr has changed how interactions with posts work and people are PISSED.

https://www.tumblr.com/changes/811285635102130176/its-very-clear-that-you-all-have-strong-feelings

Basically, they've gone from a distinctive "everything is a chain and you see _all_ of the downstream activity from your post/reblog" approach to a Twitter/Bluesky/Mastodon-style "you reblog and the OP sees interactions (probably) or you quote-post and the OP sees nothing more".

Which… yeah, sure, great for Likes, because now you get to like _specific_ posts within the chain of half-a-dozen rather than having "you've liked one post in this chain therefore you liked the whole chain".

But it's DREADFUL for small creatives who get reblogged by a big account that adds a comment saying "You should check this out ☝" because that breaks the chain and the OP doesn't see future interactions including replies. Which is a bit shit on the "small creatives and niche fandoms" site 😐

(People can _choose_ to click the reply on the OP and reply directly… but that requires a change of behaviour, and how many users are ACTUALLY going to change behaviour like that?! 🙄)

#Tumblr #AlternativeSocialMedia

I don't speak French, but I do speak "local, autonomous media that is not dominated by US big tech"

https://site.qlub.social/petition-gouvernement-du-quebec/

#Quebec #alternativeSocialMedia

Our latest blogpost is "Blacksky: Exemplary Alternative Social Media":

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2026/03/08/blacksky.html

A short note about #Blacksky as a social and technical achievement -- a fascinating form of alternative social media.

#alternativeSocialMedia

Sometimes, folks ask me why I've been advocating for #alternativeSocialMedia for over a decade now:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/technology/dhs-anti-ice-social-media.html

We just held another Alternative Social Media Reading Group meeting, this time discussing Hwang et al's fantastic paper, "Governing Together: Toward Infrastructure for Community-Run Social Media."

https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.19653

Looking forward to adding this to our library!

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/bib.html

#alternativeSocialMedia #governance #fediverse

Finally here, now reading: Move slowly and build bridges - Mastodon, the Fediverse, and the Struggle for Democratic Social Media by Robert W. Gehl @rwg

https://www.moveslowlybuildbridges.com/

#mastodon #fediverse #bookstodon #AlternativeSocialMedia #MoveSlowlyAndBuildBridges

The first post of 2026 on the Alternative Social Media Researchers Blog is live! It's by @jjsylvia and it presents a syllabus of a course in social media ethics. The course uses a classroom instance of Mastodon to work through ethical issues in digital media.
https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2026/01/12/teaching-mastodon.html
Replies to this post will appear as comments on the blog.
#Mastodon #pedagogy #alternativeSocialMedia

The first post of 2026 on the Alternative Social Media Researchers Blog is live! It's by @jjsylvia and it presents a syllabus of a course in social media ethics. The course uses a classroom instance of Mastodon to work through ethical issues in digital media.
https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2026/01/12/teaching-mastodon.html
Are you also teaching using Mastodon or other alternative social media? Reach out to us!

#alternativeSocialMedia #pedagogy

#DigitalPrivacy #Decentralization #Fediverse #ActivityPub #Mastodon #PeerTube #Matrix #Element #PrivacyForAll #YourDataYourRules #OpenSource #TechForGood #DeGoogle #DigitalFreedom #AlternativeSocialMedia #Web3 #FutureOfTech #Infographic #ComicStrip #TechEducation #DataSovereignty #SelfHosting #NoMoreBigTech #ProtectYourData #Security #CensorshipResistance #IndependentMedia #DecentralizedWeb #PrivacyTips #OnlineSafety #GrandpaApproved

#DigitalPrivacy #Decentralization #Fediverse #ActivityPub #Mastodon #PeerTube #Matrix #Element #PrivacyForAll #YourDataYourRules #OpenSource #TechForGood #DeGoogle #DigitalFreedom #AlternativeSocialMedia #Web3 #FutureOfTech #Infographic #ComicStrip #TechEducation #DataSovereignty #SelfHosting #NoMoreBigTech #ProtectYourData #Security #CensorshipResistance #IndependentMedia #DecentralizedWeb #PrivacyTips #OnlineSafety #GrandpaApproved

#DigitalPrivacy #Decentralization #Fediverse #ActivityPub #Mastodon #PeerTube #Matrix #Element #PrivacyForAll #YourDataYourRules #OpenSource #TechForGood #DeGoogle #DigitalFreedom #AlternativeSocialMedia #Web3 #FutureOfTech #Infographic #ComicStrip #TechEducation #DataSovereignty #SelfHosting #NoMoreBigTech #ProtectYourData #Security #CensorshipResistance #IndependentMedia #DecentralizedWeb #PrivacyTips #OnlineSafety #GrandpaApproved

#DigitalPrivacy #Decentralization #Fediverse #ActivityPub #Mastodon #PeerTube #Matrix #Element #PrivacyForAll #YourDataYourRules #OpenSource #TechForGood #DeGoogle #DigitalFreedom #AlternativeSocialMedia #Web3 #FutureOfTech #Infographic #ComicStrip #TechEducation #DataSovereignty #SelfHosting #NoMoreBigTech #ProtectYourData #Security #CensorshipResistance #IndependentMedia #DecentralizedWeb #PrivacyTips #OnlineSafety #GrandpaApproved

#DigitalPrivacy #Decentralization #Fediverse #ActivityPub #Mastodon #PeerTube #Matrix #Element #PrivacyForAll #YourDataYourRules #OpenSource #TechForGood #DeGoogle #DigitalFreedom #AlternativeSocialMedia #Web3 #FutureOfTech #Infographic #ComicStrip #TechEducation #DataSovereignty #SelfHosting #NoMoreBigTech #ProtectYourData #Security #CensorshipResistance #IndependentMedia #DecentralizedWeb #PrivacyTips #OnlineSafety #GrandpaApproved

@rra That presentation (co-authored with Roel) can now be found here:

https://robertwgehl.org/presentations/AOIR_ASM.html

and the 'script' is here:

https://robertwgehl.org/presentations/AOIR_ASMText.html

#alternativeSocialMedia #AoIR2025

Tomorrow I will present a paper co-authored with @rra, "What is 'alternative' about 'alternative social media'?"

If that title alone doesn't entice you, come for the shout-out to a really cool alternative social media system that began right here in #Brazil!

Then stick around for a 'Birds of a Feather' Alternative Social Media meetup!

https://www.conftool.org/aoir2025/index.php?page=browseSessions&form_session=642#paperID346

#alternativeSocialMedia #AoIR2025

A new post up on the Alternative Social Media Researchers blog! This one is making a strong claim: PeerSon was the first alternative social media system.

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2025/10/10/peerson.html

The post is based on a research collaboration between @rra and @rwg.

#alternativeSocialMedia

Hey! If you're new to the fediverse and curious about it, may I humbly suggest my new book, Move Slowly and Build Bridges?

https://moveslowlybuildbridges.com/

It offers a history of Mastodon and discusses the highs and lows of content moderation and governance on the fediverse. This is a complex space, but... it's *our* space. We can make it what we want.

#fediverse #mastodon #alternativeSocialMedia

This kind of came a bit unexpectedly today, but I have a new article out:

https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/1556

It focuses on those most controversial moderation tools on the #fediverse: #blocklists. I consider the philosophy and practice of listing to argue that those who run blocklist services work hard to mitigate their problems.

I also make a case that we simply need more scholarship on content moderation on #noncentralized, noncommercial social media.

#alternativeSocialMedia

Are you a #Canadian who wants to get a graduate degree in #ScienceAndTechnologyStudies (or #STS for short)?

Then you are in luck! York U's grad program in STS is accepting applications!

I'm on the faculty, so let me know if you have questions. And yes, you can study #alternativeSocialMedia in the program! I do!

International students can apply, too (though we have some reserved spots for Canadian students that have to be filled).

yorku/ca/gradstudies/sts

boosts welcome

Looking forward to workshop with @rra next Thu 6th April 2023 on “Infrastructuring alternatives: Mastodon, the Fediverse and beyond” at @kingsdh. If you're around in London there are still a few places left: https://jonathangray.org/2023/03/14/infrastructuring-alternatives

cc @siusoon @anthropologist @__nate__ @jamessmithies @ayliu @dv #london #infrastructure #infrastructurestudies #mastodon #fediverse #socialmedia #fediverse #feministsts #infrastructuring #commodon #newmediastudies #newmedia #mediastudies #federation #interoperability #alternativesocialmedia

Looking forward to workshop with @rra next Thu 6th April 2023 on “Infrastructuring alternatives: Mastodon, the Fediverse and beyond” at @kingsdh. If you're around in London there are still a few places left: https://jonathangray.org/2023/03/14/infrastructuring-alternatives

cc @siusoon @anthropologist @__nate__ @jamessmithies @ayliu @dv #london #infrastructure #infrastructurestudies #mastodon #fediverse #socialmedia #fediverse #feministsts #infrastructuring #commodon #newmediastudies #newmedia #mediastudies #federation #interoperability #alternativesocialmedia

Looking forward to workshop with @rra next Thu 6th April 2023 on “Infrastructuring alternatives: Mastodon, the Fediverse and beyond” at @kingsdh. If you're around in London there are still a few places left: https://jonathangray.org/2023/03/14/infrastructuring-alternatives

cc @siusoon @anthropologist @__nate__ @jamessmithies @ayliu @dv #london #infrastructure #infrastructurestudies #mastodon #fediverse #socialmedia #fediverse #feministsts #infrastructuring #commodon #newmediastudies #newmedia #mediastudies #federation #interoperability #alternativesocialmedia

Looking forward to workshop with @rra next Thu 6th April 2023 on “Infrastructuring alternatives: Mastodon, the Fediverse and beyond” at @kingsdh. If you're around in London there are still a few places left: https://jonathangray.org/2023/03/14/infrastructuring-alternatives

cc @siusoon @anthropologist @__nate__ @jamessmithies @ayliu @dv #london #infrastructure #infrastructurestudies #mastodon #fediverse #socialmedia #fediverse #feministsts #infrastructuring #commodon #newmediastudies #newmedia #mediastudies #federation #interoperability #alternativesocialmedia

Looking forward to workshop with @rra next Thu 6th April 2023 on “Infrastructuring alternatives: Mastodon, the Fediverse and beyond” at @kingsdh. If you're around in London there are still a few places left: https://jonathangray.org/2023/03/14/infrastructuring-alternatives

cc @siusoon @anthropologist @__nate__ @jamessmithies @ayliu @dv #london #infrastructure #infrastructurestudies #mastodon #fediverse #socialmedia #fediverse #feministsts #infrastructuring #commodon #newmediastudies #newmedia #mediastudies #federation #interoperability #alternativesocialmedia

I finished splicing my #neon #QR #code today and IT WORKS! Admittedly it isn't instant and I think I will try straightening up some of the doublebacks to get the lines closer together. My splices have also improved in accuracy and fanciness so I might touch up a few lines to make the #scan more #instantaneous when pumped with #argon gas.

#urbancraft #sculpture #lightart #advertisement #craft #glass #glassart #neonart #blacklight #alternativesocialmedia #brooklyn #nyc #itworks! #practice #weld

Guerrilla postering…. #SocialBC

(printable posters for postering in your public spaces are in my pinned posts)
#BCTransit #alternativeSocialMedia #twittermigration #mastodon #twitter #alliteration

Guerrilla postering…. #SocialBC

(printable posters for postering in your public spaces are in my pinned posts)
#BCTransit #alternativeSocialMedia #twittermigration #mastodon #twitter #alliteration

Guerrilla postering…. #SocialBC

(printable posters for postering in your public spaces are in my pinned posts)
#BCTransit #alternativeSocialMedia #twittermigration #mastodon #twitter #alliteration

Guerrilla postering…. #SocialBC

(printable posters for postering in your public spaces are in my pinned posts)
#BCTransit #alternativeSocialMedia #twittermigration #mastodon #twitter #alliteration

Guerrilla postering…. #SocialBC

(printable posters for postering in your public spaces are in my pinned posts)
#BCTransit #alternativeSocialMedia #twittermigration #mastodon #twitter #alliteration

Latest FOSS Academic: Introducing the Network of Alternative Social Media Researchers!

https://fossacademic.tech/2025/02/01/asmNet.html

This is a new hub for academic researchers who study alternative social media.

Pretty apropos for Global Switch Day!

#FOSSAcademic #AlternativeSocialMedia
#GlobalSwitchDay

Latest FOSS Academic post: libraries! Libraries everywhere!

https://fossacademic.tech/2024/11/29/libraries.html

In which I share links to two alternative social media/fediverse libraries. More scholarship! Bring it to me!

[Replies to this post will appear as comments on my blog unless privacy is set to followers-only or DM. CWs will work, as will deletions]

#FOSSAcademic #alternativeSocialMedia

My latest #FOSSAcademic post is live. This one focuses on #alternativeSocialMedia research, with some new articles about #Mastodon. fossacademic.tech/2024/11/22/A... Also, I am actively building a listserv for academics who study alternative social media (broadly conceived). See the post for more

ASM Update: New Research Editi...

The latest FOSSAcademic post is about new research in alternative social media:

https://fossacademic.tech/2024/11/22/ASMupdateResearch.html

I've posted titles and abstracts of three new research papers, all focusing on Mastodon and the fediverse.

[replies to this will appear as comments on my blog, unless you set the privacy to followers only or DM]

#FOSSAcademic #Mastodon #research #AlternativeSocialMedia

1/2

Probably a silly day to post to FOSS Academic, but I wanted to share a blogified version of a presentation I gave to York alumni about the fediverse in Canada:

https://fossacademic.tech/2024/11/05/yorkcirclelecture.html

I touch on #Canadian #alternativeSocialMedia, #criticalReverseEngineering and more!

[replies to this post will appear as comments on my blog, unless you set privacy to followers-only or DM. CWs will work]

#FOSSAcademic

The Alternative Social Media researchers blog has a new post! This one's from @jat23, and it is a reflection on ideas from #HOPE16 and how they apply to alternative social media research.

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2025/09/01/hope-and-asm.html

#alternativeSocialMedia #academicchatter

[Replies to this post will appear as comments on the blog]

"Traditional social media companies like Facebook and Instagram have been successful because they can lock in users and control the entire experience. But Bluesky is designed to give users control and power, something that makes monetization less straightforward."

Or... hear me out... you could not seek to monetize social media.

People have been engaged in social media for EIGHT years (and more) without selling data.

https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/05/bluesky-ceo-jay-graber-is-reshaping-social-media-but-advertising-isnt-off-the-table/

#nonCapitalist #alternativeSocialMedia

There's a new Researcher Interview at the Alternative Social Media blog!

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2025/10/02/tkacz.html

In this interview, Nate Tkacz talks with Blake Hallinan about a new paper, "Eventful migration: Rethinking social media migration with help from Elon Musk’s sink," which is about the movement away from Twitter towards Mastodon in late 2022/early 2023.

#interviews #academicChatter #alternativeSocialMedia

Along with @__nate__, I have a new article out, called "After Twitter":

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20563051251366907

The article is #openAccess and is our analysis of the fragmentation, polarization, and protective connections we're seeing across a major portion of social media. We also consider toxic nostalgia for the old Twitter versus critical reflection on the past that gives rise to better #alternativeSocialMedia.

#academicChatter #publications

The latest blog posts from the Network of Alternative Social Media Researchers is live! It's a rundown of some of the newest items we've added to our academic bibliography:

https://socialmediaalternatives.org/2025/08/01/new-bib-items.html

The items include analyses of alt-tech and a study of the incomplete Twitter/Mastodon migration.

#alternativeSocialMedia #academicChatter

There's a new Alternative Social Media researcher interview! This time it's with @kfrostarnold, who is philosopher studying social epistemology.

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2025/07/14/frost-arnold.html

#alternativeSocialMedia #academicchatter #research

And now another, this time from @jjsylvia, arguing for relational ethics in alternative social media research:

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2025/05/07/asm-research-ethics.html#sylvia

This forum is really shaping up to be quite an examination of #ethics in ASM #research.

#alternativeSocialMedia

I just got done being part of a panel about federated social media with @couldrynick and @eilah_tan. We talked about 'big tech,' the fediverse, and a bit about Bluesky. There were really great questions!

The talk (which was hosted by LSE) was recorded, but in the meantime, my slides are here:

https://robertwgehl.org/presentations/LSE_RWG_presentation.html

and the text of my presentation is here:

https://robertwgehl.org/presentations/LSE_RWG_presentationText.html

#academicChatter #alternativeSocialMedia

The forum now has a second entry, from Marc Damie. Marc calls for an opt-in research API for the fediverse, where instances could consent to have aggregated data be available for researchers:

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2025/05/07/asm-research-ethics.html#damie

#researchEthics #fediverse #alternativeSocialMedia

We've all seen the unethical Reddit "change my view" experiment by now. The question the scholars in the Network of Alternative Social Media Researchers are asking is: what can we learn from the experiment about ethical approaches to research on alternative social media?

We're starting a forum-style blog post on this. The first entry is live:

https://www.socialmediaalternatives.org/2025/05/07/asm-research-ethics.html

#alternativeSocialMedia #researchEthics #academicChatter