#occultist — Public Fediverse posts

@cloudskater wrote:

Some instances are run by bad people. Hell, a few projects like Lemmy and Matrix are DEVELOPED by assholes, but the FLOSS and federated nature of these platforms allows us to bypass/fork them and create healthy spaces outside their reach.

Nope, that is actually what is killing the fediverse. I just explained here:

The issue is the divergence in semantic interpretation that emerges at the interpretation layer. ActivityPub standardizes message delivery and defines common activity types. However, it leaves extension semantics and application-layer policy decisions to individual implementations. Servers may introduce custom JSON-LD namespaces and enforce local behaviors, such as reply restrictions, while remaining protocol-compliant. But, the noise created by divergences are problematic, because it creates unexpected, unintended, and unpredictable behavior.

Divergence appears when implementations rely on non-normative metadata and assume reciprocal handling to preserve a consistent user experience. Behavioral alignment then varies. Syntactic exchange succeeds, but behavioral consistency is not guaranteed. Though instances continue to federate at the transport level, policy semantics and processing logic differ across deployments. Those differences produce inconsistent experiences and results between implementations.

That leads to fragmentation, specifically semantic or behavioral fragmentation and an inconsistent user experiences. ActivityPub ensures syntactic interoperability, but semantic interoperability (everyone interprets and enforces rules the same way) varies. This creates a system that is federated at the transport level yet fragmented in behavior and expectations across implementations. It is funny how the thing that the fediverse touted has made the entire thing very brittle. ActivityPub technically federates correctly, but semantically falls apart once servers start adding their own behavioral rules.

https://neon-blue-demon-wyrm.x10.network/archives/16932

FYI, I’m not doing culture wars or political debates. I’m just saying this idea of “forking away” from them is literally breaking the fediverse’s distributed network and creating all kinds of issues with semantic interoperability. Yes, federation is still happening at the delivery level, but the semantic issues are out of fucking control. You are a federation by the very sheer skin of your teeth.

The reason why developers are leaving the fediverse is because you folks don’t take criticism. You respond to criticism with — I’m being so serious right now — political manifestos and harassing developers. ActivityPub developers and authors oversold you folks on the capabilities of ActivityStreams. They flat-out lied to y’all.

↬bark.lgbt/@cloudskater/116080965694723006

ActivityPub Server’s Custom Reply‑Control Extensions Undermine Federation

It seems like Activitbypub developers are extending ActivityPub with optional metadata to fix a lot of its issues, but that is still problematic. Trying to add moderation tools and user control to threads seems to be the ongoing battle. I am fascinated by dumpster fires, so I’ve started looking at the ActivityPub protocol in detail. I tend to become fascinated with things that are going down in flames.

As a brief recap of the problem:

So, one of the very popular features on Bluesky—also popular on Twitter—is the ability to select who can reply to a post. A major issue in the Fediverse is the inability to decide who can reply, and once you block someone, their harassing reply is still there. I honestly thought it was simply a case of them choosing not to add or address it for cultural reasons. What is clear from that thread is that they were always aware that the ActivityPub protocol and most Fediverse implementations don’t provide a universal way to control reply visibility or enforce blocks across instances.

An ActivityPub server that has reply control is GoToSocial. ActivityPub, as defined by the W3C specification, standardizes how servers federate activities. It defines actors, inboxes, outboxes, and activity types (Create, Follow, Like, Announce, etc.) expressed using ActivityStreams 2.0. It also specifies delivery mechanics (including how a Create activity reaches another server’s inbox) and how collections behave.

The specification does not include interaction policy semantics such as “only followers may reply” or “replies require manual approval.” There is no field in the normative vocabulary requiring conforming servers to enforce reply permissions. That category of rule is outside the protocol’s defined contract.

GoToSocial implements reply controls through what it calls interaction policies. These appear as additional properties on ActivityStreams objects using a custom JSON-LD namespace controlled by the GoToSocial project.

JSON-LD permits additional namespaced terms. This means the document remains structurally valid ActivityStreams and federates normally. The meaning of those custom fields, however, comes from GoToSocial’s own documentation and implementation. Other servers can ignore them without violating ActivityPub because they are not part of the interoperable core vocabulary.

Enforcement occurs locally. When a remote server sends a reply—a Create activity whose object references another via inReplyTo—ActivityPub governs delivery, not acceptance criteria. Whether the receiving server checks a reply policy, rejects the activity, queues it, or displays it is determined in the server’s inbox-processing code. The decision to accept, display, or require approval happens after successful protocol-level delivery. This behavior belongs to the application layer.

These are server-side features layered on top of ActivityPub’s transport and data model that are not actually part of ActivityPub. The protocol ensures standardized delivery of activities; however, the server implementation defines additional constraints and user-facing behavior. Two GoToSocial instances may both recognize and act on the same extension fields. However, a different implementation, such as Mastodon, has no obligation under the specification to interpret or enforce GoToSocial’s interactionPolicy properties. These fields function as extension metadata rather than protocol requirements.

The semantics of GoToSocial are not part of the specification’s defined vocabulary and processing rules for ActivityPub. They no longer operate purely at the protocol layer; it has become an application-layer contract implemented by specific servers.

Let’s use the AT Protocol as an example. Bluesky’s direct messages (DMs) are not currently part of the AT Protocol (ATProto). The AT Protocol has nothing that specifies anything for DMs, so DMs are not part of the AT Protocol. The AT Protocol was designed to handle public social interactions, but it does not define private or encrypted messaging. Bluesky implemented DMs at the application level, outside of the core protocol. DMs are centralized and stored on Bluesky’s servers. What is happening with servers like GoToSocial is sort of like that. The difference is that the AT Protocol was designed for different app views; ActivityPub was not.

The issue is the divergence in semantic interpretation that emerges at the interpretation layer. ActivityPub standardizes message delivery and defines common activity types. However, it leaves extension semantics and application-layer policy decisions to individual implementations. Servers may introduce custom JSON-LD namespaces and enforce local behaviors, such as reply restrictions, while remaining protocol-compliant. But, the noise created by divergences are problematic, because it creates unexpected, unintended, and unpredictable behavior.

Divergence appears when implementations rely on non-normative metadata and assume reciprocal handling to preserve a consistent user experience. Behavioral alignment then varies. Syntactic exchange succeeds, but behavioral consistency is not guaranteed. Though instances continue to federate at the transport level, policy semantics and processing logic differ across deployments. Those differences produce inconsistent experiences and results between implementations.

That leads to fragmentation, specifically semantic or behavioral fragmentation and an inconsistent user experiences. ActivityPub ensures syntactic interoperability, but semantic interoperability (everyone interprets and enforces rules the same way) varies. This creates a system that is federated at the transport level yet fragmented in behavior and expectations across implementations. It is funny how the thing that the fediverse touted has made the entire thing very brittle. ActivityPub technically federates correctly, but semantically falls apart once servers start adding their own behavioral rules.

Nags quick start reading list for the #secular #occultist

I'm Nagaram and I'm an #Atheist Occultist. I believe there is power in all sorts of magic, but its more practical than super natural.

Magic, gods, and the occult is a good psychological tool to help us navigate life both in a material and mental way.

The basis for my understanding of Secular Occultism is with

"Atomic Habits" -James Clear

This is the foundational text in my pseudo religion because it explains the psychological aspect of habit building and how this let's us slowly build to a better self. Importantly I'm tying the concept of affirmations to the magical conception of it and even intentions. I'm also looking at Habit Catalysts as Magic Rituals in that ritual magic helps us stay on task with our grander plans by being an easy habit we can build into a proper habit stack that ultimately culminates in our magic working.

From here I see the reading list as a choose your own adventure. So long as you understand that nearly all magic you will ever learn about is simply an affirmation with an aesthetic, there really isn't a wrong choice.

But for me I know what influenced me down this path.

"Pathways to Bliss" -The Joseph Campbell foundation

Another secular read. This book was about myth and legends as tools for self help. Characters to emulate and foils to avoid. It helps me maintain the mindset that truth in myth is less important than moral lessons. We can still use these stories from ancient oral traditions to the new testament, to the flying spaghetti monster as our new gods. As long as they symbolize something important to you then you can and should use them in your practice.

"Grimoire for the apprentice wizard" -Oberon Zell-Ravenheart

Oberon is a character, but important. I said earlier that secular occultism is affirmations with an aesthetic. Oberon is a wealth of aesthetic and easily approachable rituals with which you should try (other than the invisibility spell. I'm pretty sure he says you can use that to be naked in public and I don't recommend that.)

I'm liking my feed so far but ngl I need more occult/esoteric/witchy accounts to follow. Feel free to give me @ suggestions in the replies or boost if you post stuff like that!

#occult #occultism #occultist #esoteric #esotericsm #witch #witchcraft #witchy #magic #magick #druid #druids #spells #mystic #mysticism #astrology #astrologycommunity #tarot #TarotCards #TarotReading #oracle #oraclecards #medium #mediumship #spirit #spirituality #spiritual #spirits #spiritualgrowth #spiritualawakening #occulture #modernwitch

Hail Freya! Here's my 89th #FridayPaganPoll!

I consider there to be 4 broad categories of Pagans:

*Witch- Eclectic, Wicca, Wheel of the Year, folk magick, god-worship is optional.
*Polytheist- Devotional, religious studies, deity and pantheon worship, prayers and offerings, magick is optional.
*Occultist- Thelema, alchemy, ceremonial magick, trances, summonings, experiments.
*Animist- Nature-worship, seasonal celebration, meditation, spending time outdoors, minimal magick or god-worship.

For this poll, I'm asking, which do you lean most towards? I know, I know, it's difficult, but if you had to pick just one?

#Pagan #Witch #Polytheist #Occultist #Animist

redoing my #introduction, spring cleaning my profile

i am a total shitposter. i work in infosec (blue team), but don't follow me for good infosec information. just don't.

i like weird people... the communists and anarchists. the black sheep. the loners, outcasts, wallflowers, bizarros, rejects, outsiders, odd ducks, and the eccentric ones.

the broken. the lost. the lonely. the people who look in the mirror and can't see a beautiful person looking back.

the freaks, geeks, weirdos, goths, emos, punks, lovers with aching hearts, poets who don't know it, the elder gods/goddesses/others/cubes, nerds who love assembly, nerds who love obscure CSS, people who used to be carnies, people who want to be carnies, clown school dropouts, quiet librarians, midnight philosophers, chaotic good bartenders, D&D forever-DMs, speedrunners of life, cursed doll collectors, people who unironically love dial-up sounds, cassette tape hoarders, writers of unsent letters, DIY necromancers, time travelers stuck in the wrong timeline, indie game devs with imposter syndrome, hopeless romantics with a cynical streak, travelers of the astral plane, meme historians, collectors of lost media, aesthetic hoarders, souls lost in liminal spaces, thrift store treasure hunters, broken synthesizer enthusiasts, conspiracy theorists who know too much, introverts who overshare online, VHS romantics, late-night train station wanderers, noise music aficionados, digital ghost hunters, hopeless maximalists, cursed artifact restorers, wandering bards, and rogue rouge enthusiasts (people who dabble in makeup with chaotic flair, applying blush with the reckless abandon of a true artist).

And not least, the people who never quite fit in anywhere, but somehow fit in everywhere.

...you know, my people. 🖤

i'm looking for people that are cool with sharing misery most of the time, but do rarely dabble in the dark art of being fun. follow me if that's the case, or you know, don't.

you do you.

i do usually follow active accounts back, but if you don't post original posts... i don't typically follow. give me content plz.

#InfoSec #Nerd 🕵 (SIEM-SOAR-IR-RE)
#AnCom :ancom:
#Luciferian / #Satanist zealot (Not CoS or TST) 🜏
#LeftHandPath #ChaosWitch #Occultist ⛧
#HRT DIYer (EEn) 💉
#BDSM freak :blacker_heart_outline:​
#LGBT 🏳️‍🌈 / #Trans militant 🏳️‍⚧️
#BLM always ✊🏿
#Accessibility is key ​♿
#Manjaro fanatic :manjaro:
#KDE nut :kde:
#Python lover :python:
#Piracy hoarder 🏴‍☠️​
#Cyberpunk crank :lain: :heart_cyber:​
#Music of many stripes, mostly #Techno and #HeavyMetal 🎶

re-re-doing my #introduction, for..... uh... reasons

i am a total shitposter, i work in #infosec, and am generally family focused when i'm not working or online.

i blue team, i love the SIEM space, love the automation space, and deal with the IR space.

don't follow me for good infosec information. just don't. my socmedia is more to blow off steam, scream at the cloud, and be chill.

i am a good listener, deeply atheistic #satanist (then contradicting myself as a #ChaosWitch), a dirtbag anarcho #socialist, gun nut who can't own guns (curious kids), and fanatically #LGBTQIA+

looking for people that are cool with sharing misery most of the time, but sometimes (rarely) i dabble in the dark art of being fun.

follow me if that's the case, or you know, don't. you do you.

i do usually follow active accounts back, but if you don't post original posts... i don't typically follow. give me content ;)

#InfoSec #Nerd 🕵 (SIEM-SOAR-IR-RE)
#AnCom :ancom:
#Luciferian / #Satanist zealot (Not CoS or TST) 🜏
#LeftHandPath #ChaosWitch #Occultist ⛧
#HRT DIYer (EEn) 💉
#BDSM freak :blacker_heart_outline:​
#LGBT 🏳️‍🌈 / #Trans militant 🏳️‍⚧️
#BLM always ✊🏿
#Accessibility is key ​♿
#Manjaro fanatic :manjaro:
#KDE nut :kde:
#Python lover :python:
#Piracy hoarder 🏴‍☠️​
#Cyberpunk crank :lain: :heart_cyber:​
#Music of many stripes, mostly #Techno and #HeavyMetal 🎶

I’m seeking an expert in geomancy, ley lines, and occult practices involving the land to speak at an online event on 15 June. Anyone you’d suggest? Can be skeptic or believer, as long as they can explain the concept! It’s a paid gig, and the audience is mainly writers.

It's for my next Writing the Occult, which is about connections to the land - so if you have other suggestions that fit that theme, I’d also love to hear them.

#occult #folklore #occultpractices #occultist #leylines #geomancy

Beneath the earth, we venture,
Not knowing what we may find.
Will the dungeon lead us to hell,
Where angels fear to dwell?
And therein lies a maiden;
Her lips are ruby red.
Her eyelids flutter open,
Even though she is quite dead.

THE DEAD GAME SERIES
by Susanne Leist

#bookrecommendationsplease #darkfantasybooks #booksworthreading #bookstagrams #readinglist #romanticsuspensebooks #paranormalactivity #horrorfans #thrillerbooks #ebookstagram #occultist

if you come to me acting like #someone who is a #brainwashed & #occultist #cultist, #you deserve this:
:antifa_100: :af:

Portraits by Austin Osman Spare (1886 – 1956) English artist and occultist

#austinosmanspare #ukartist #art #artist #portrait #portraits #portraitartist #kunst #künstler #artworld #pastels #britishartist #artists #drawings #faces #worldofart #occultist

if you're an #occultist and read #SFF, and you haven't read @maxgladstone 's CRAFT SEQUENCE (and subsequent books in the same setting), i VERY strongly recommend. possibly especially if you work in tech and/or law.

The Victorian #Occultist Accused of Killing Men With Her Mind

Pioneering #feminist and #AnimalRights campaigner Anna Kingsford was one of the 19th century's most remarkable women. Then she was charged with using black magic to murder 2 vivisectionists

by Dee Cunning, 2018

Crowley said that Kingsford “did more in the religious world than any other person had done for generations." Tarot author Mary Greer "called her the mother of the #GoldenDawn"

https://www.vice.com/en/article/mbp7pb/the-victorian-occultist-accused-of-killing-men-with-her-mind
#OccultHistory

A fixture of the London occult scene, Rollo Ahmed counted among his friends #occultist Aleister Crowley. Ahmed also wrote about racism he encountered in London in his autobiography: "Ahmed relays his life of negative racial encounters in 1930’s London. Situations such as, landlords refusing to rent him rooms and apartment, even just a room for shelter on a cold night, harassed by the police Ahmed was jailed several times for fraud."
#Racism #BlackHistory #OccultHistory

Rollo Ahmed, Black #Occultist
by James Goodridge

"Born in 1899 to an Egyptian father & Guyanese mother, Abdul Said Ahmed aka Rollo Ahmed had a considerable presence in the occult community of London during the 1930’s"

Ahmed's book "The Black Arts" was published in 1936. According to article author, it was the "definitive text on the occult world." Topics include: Egyptian, Greek and Roman #magic, as well as "#witchcraft and vampirism".
#BlackHistory #OccultHistory

https://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/2019/02/04/black-horror-history-black-occultist-rollo-ahmed/

More about Paschal Beverly Randolph (October 8, 1825 – July 29, 1875):

"You may not know his name. You may not know what he did, but if you’re a black #occultist? If you enjoy esoteric wisdom? You should. Paschal Beverly Randolph, was a #spiritualist, occultist, sex magician and the founder of the first (accepted history) Rosicrucian order in North America."

#BlackHistory #OccultHistory

https://www.terriebrookins.com/black-occultist-history/

I should be able to watch a football game with my family without being recruited to join a deadly mind-control #cult.

#Scientology was created by #occultist con man and shitty #scifi author L. Ron Hubbard. It is a #freemason-like “secret society” combined with an #MLM pyramid scheme combined with mind-control techniques he learned from his Satanist friends.

It has ruined the lives of millions of people and should be shut down not pushed into my CHILDREN’S BRAINS ON THANKSGIVING. 😡

Preamble:
Gen X #occultist with roots in #thelema and #wicca #oto initiate and #egc ordained #priestess
Writes #poetry and has no less than five #novels going in her Scrivener.
Politically #radical #anarchosyndicalist and #feminist also #queer and #poly
Works with #agile #coaching #transformation and #servantleadership
In what ever spare time she has, she enjoys #cats #scifi #ttrpg #lrp and is a bonafide #historynerd

You still here? Welcome to the party that is me!

i am mal & this is an #introduction i suppose?
pronouns = she/they

i am:
- likely #neurodivergent in addition to being #depressed #anxious & terribly #awkward
- a #cataloging #librarian
- writing fanfiction for #dnd & #ffxiv (since 2020 after a 15 year hiatus)
- a practicing #polytheist #heathen, #seiðkona, & #occultist
- a dabbler in many things besides #writing, #magic, & #gaming including but not limited to: #herbalism #tarot #beadwork #embroidery #criticalrole #anime #pkm & #programming

full-steam space machine back onto social media, #introduction / #reintroduction time: 25yo Leo #witch bitch, #London #squatter, hobby #occultist and amateur #mystic, pretty good at #astrology and #tattooing with a budding interest in #alchemy; found a life path of contributing to the magical realist #cyberpunk future we all deserve; working on #glitterbombing the hell out of this capitalist hellscape (which has a surprising amount of humanity and creativity stashed away in its hidden corners)