Social media veteran Josh Barro published this back in June:
The problem with a “bubble” is that it prevents the people inside from accessing the information on the outside. But the core functionality of Bluesky is not that it keeps information out; it’s that it keeps information in. Like the containment dome over a nuclear reactor, Bluesky serves the important safety purpose of ensuring that whatever meltdowns occur within produce minimal fallout. So while I’m not on Bluesky, I value the platform, and I encourage its users to continue screaming at each other about how much the rest of us all suck. Please do not leave.
I do not have a Bluesky account, nor X, nor Twitter. While my initial objection was that their limited format did not really permit nuanced arguments, it’s become apparent over the years that they encourage echo chambers where birds of a feather can flock together and resolutely not listen to outside voices.
When I ran a social media platform, I absolutely valued the multiplicity of opinions that came with cases made and unmade. While I am not personally witnessing any of these platforms, the noise that leaks out is not at all encouraging – and why I do not join and only occasionally visit.
I should probably visit Mastodon.
