Smolweb vs Smolnet, dropping Gopher

[solon_kitten]

Something I've been noticing as of late is the anti-web mentality that's been getting stronger within what I see on gopherspace and other smolnet protocols. Not just Corporate Web is Evil, but the whole idea of it all. It's kinda made me stop even looking there, and well, that's why I stopped really doing anything on gopherspace. So much of it has become politics, activism, or otherwise things that I intentionally avoid social media for that it kinda defeated the purpose of even checking things out. Even more so now that I'm dropping a lot of the tech world out of my life. I killed pygopherd for the last time on my VPS, and I don't think I'm going to be bringing it back.

Meanwhile, most of what I see among the smolweb/cozyweb/indieweb spheres of my interests is exactly the sort of chill vibes I want to be part of. People creating just to create, rather than as a middle finger to capitalism or something. Not everything has to be some sort of political statement or have such intents behind it. As they say, "Sometimes, a story is just a story. It doesn't need a deeper meaning behind it."

People are making 88x31 buttons, banners, DA-style stamps, blinkies, and pixel art, just because they love to. They're making Tracker music and MIDIs, writing stories in rich text, making interactive fiction and comics, and just generally interacting and creating things, mostly without looking down on other people for not being one of them.

It's something I've been noticing among the more tech-focused people in certain communities. Usenet, Gopher, Gemini, even among parts of the retro tech community on web forums. Linux has always had gatekeeping and toxicity issues, but they're just the most vocal of a large community, not a sizable chunk of it. I will forever respect the smolnet, but much of what's been happening there is making me uneasy, especially in a world where constant polarization and extremism take over from both sides thanks to how people act online.

Looking around the indieweb of creators has been such a nice change of pace. It's like when I left the Linux community, where a lot of stress and peer pressure just seemed to go away all at once. Likewise when I left social media. It's nice.

I've been updating my website with articles, and I think I'll continue doing so when I feel like it.

Comments

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>Something I've been noticing as of late is the anti-web mentality that's been getting stronger within what I see on gopherspace and other smolnet protocols.<<

That's discouraging.

>> Meanwhile, most of what I see among the smolweb/cozyweb/indieweb spheres of my interests is exactly the sort of chill vibes I want to be part of. <<

Yay!

>>People creating just to create, rather than as a middle finger to capitalism or something.<<

That's good to hear.

... admittedly I've been recommending historic crafts like spinning and woodcarving for people who are sick of mass-production and AI and megacorps.

>> Not everything has to be some sort of political statement or have such intents behind it. As they say, "Sometimes, a story is just a story. It doesn't need a deeper meaning behind it." <<

Agreed. Enertainment has value for fun and relaxation and whateverthehell. It doesn't all have to be "doing" something.

>> especially in a world where constant polarization and extremism take over from both sides thanks to how people act online.<<

Yyyyyeah. I'm an activist, but I have found storytelling far more effective than protesting or nagging. I just don't have the patience for the drama that other people find so engrossing.

>>I've been updating my website with articles, and I think I'll continue doing so when I feel like it.<<

That's cool. What kind of topics?

Re: Thoughts

[solon_kitten]

>> ... admittedly I've been recommending historic crafts like spinning and woodcarving for people who are sick of mass-production and AI and megacorps.

I'm trying to get into a few things, including kandi bead crafting (bracelets, masks, coasters, anything else I can think of), and maybe making therian masks, even if they're just for myself. My mates want to get into woodworking, and one mate and I want to get into making cosplay and fursuiting stuff.

>> Yyyyyeah. I'm an activist, but I have found storytelling far more effective than protesting or nagging. I just don't have the patience for the drama that other people find so engrossing.

Same, at least when it comes to topics that I'm passionate about. People are more willing to listen when you talk with them, rather than down to them.

>> That's cool. What kind of topics?

Latest articles are on me leaving social media, on me being therian, about making things for oneself, and some memories of the first three generations of Pokémon. Not entirely sure what I wanna talk about next, though it might be another gaming-related topic.

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I'm trying to get into a few things, including kandi bead crafting (bracelets, masks, coasters, anything else I can think of),<<

I had to look up kandi beads, and that sounds pretty cool.

>> and maybe making therian masks, even if they're just for myself. My mates want to get into woodworking, and one mate and I want to get into making cosplay and fursuiting stuff.<<

All excellent crafts!

I've made sparkly strands with beads or cord and crystal prisms. This year I'm playing with terraria.

>>People are more willing to listen when you talk with them, rather than down to them.<<

True.

>>Latest articles are on me leaving social media, on me being therian, about making things for oneself, and some memories of the first three generations of Pokémon.<<

I've noticed more people reducing or eliminating social media. There are a lot of therians on DW though.

>> Not entirely sure what I wanna talk about next, though it might be another gaming-related topic.<<

Recurring posts has some ideas.

The Blogging tag on goals_on_dw has several posts for lists of ideas and inspiration.

Re: Thoughts

[solon_kitten]

>> I've noticed more people reducing or eliminating social media. There are a lot of therians on DW though.

In my circles in the furry fandom, people are either moving to BlueSky, or pushing their Discord or Telegram groups. Outside of the furry fandom, yeah, lots of people dropping social media entirely. It's an odd dynamic.

>> Recurring posts has some ideas.
>>
>> The Blogging tag on [community profile] goals_on_dw has several posts for lists of ideas and inspiration.

Ooh! Thanks for the links. I'll give them a look through.

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> In my circles in the furry fandom, people are either moving to BlueSky, or pushing their Discord or Telegram groups. Outside of the furry fandom, yeah, lots of people dropping social media entirely. It's an odd dynamic.<<

Furry fandom has its perks, but it's more vulnerable to online upheavals because of discrimination and puritanical crusades against consenting adults. :/ I saw a lot of that in the collapse of Cohost, but I'm pleased that so many people took refuge here on DW.

>>Ooh! Thanks for the links. I'll give them a look through.<<

Keep an eye on goals_on_dw in November-December. Folks will be adding new resources during the year-end flurry of articles about setting goals and lists of prompts for challenges. There will also be signup posts for activities like Fannish 50.

Re: Thoughts

[solon_kitten]

Furry fandom has its perks, but it's more vulnerable to online upheavals because of discrimination and puritanical crusades against consenting adults. :/ I saw a lot of that in the collapse of Cohost, but I'm pleased that so many people took refuge here on DW.

Oh I know. I was around for the "Burned Furs" crusades during my early days with the fandom. It's a cycle that just never seems to stop.

Keep an eye on goals_on_dw in November-December. Folks will be adding new resources during the year-end flurry of articles about setting goals and lists of prompts for challenges. There will also be signup posts for activities like Fannish 50.

And added to my RSS feeds so I make sure not to miss them. Thank you.

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Oh I know. I was around for the "Burned Furs" crusades during my early days with the fandom. It's a cycle that just never seems to stop. <<

Yeah, it's sad.

>>And added to my RSS feeds so I make sure not to miss them. Thank you.<<

I'm happy I could help!