With the current situation with Tiktok, it's time for the Fediverse to rise.
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It's open source and decentralized.
I haven't really used it, since I'm not interested in that format, but I know tiktok is where the youngster are and I believe many of them are not as stuck-up as people of my generation.
Is it? That got my interest, but I can't find mention of it on their site or FAQ
(I know Loops is, maybe I wasn't clear but I was meaning to ask about the other one.)
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Given the situation with TikTok—marked by censorship and the app's recent control by MAGA-aligned interests—I checked Reddit to see what TikTok users are saying. It turns out many are asking for alternatives. Most replies suggest other proprietary apps, and I haven’t seen any recommendations for decentralized platforms like LOOPS and others from the Fediverse.
In my opinion, we now have a small but critical window of opportunity to introduce people to the Fediverse. We need to go where young people are—Reddit, Instagram, or whatever platforms they use—and explain the basics of decentralization and why choosing another proprietary app will only lead to the same outcome. LOOPS is easy to join and feels exactly like Tiktok.
I had the chance to discuss this topic with my college students just last semester. Young people are not the “imbeciles” mainstream media often portrays them to be. They see what’s happening and want to participate in change. I am firmly convinced that they are a key component of the social revolution we need, and that with their help, we could dismantle the GAFAM economy in just a few weeks.
So I believe we have to seize this moment: share, explain, and promote the Fediverse wherever you can—especially in the coming days—because every invitation is a step toward a truly free and user-owned internet.
Oh, yeah. Loops recently started doing a recommended algorithm and I haven't opened it up for a while to see how that's going. Cuz my two main issues with it has been a lack of variety in content due to the low user count, and the complete inability to find anything I might actually like.
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I think they've really dropped the ball not having Loops do some kind of soft re-launch this week. We've known the changeover was coming, there probably won't be a better moment than this to tell anyone "Hey, Loops is an alternative if you're leaving".
Not having a ready to download app in any store, even F-Droid, is such a shame. IMO, short form video makes more sense on worse platforms like a mobile phone. (I'm observing, not complaining too much - it's not like I rolled up my sleeves and contributed.)
For anyone that wants to make videos, every category is wide open. If you're making anything compelling (outside maybe Linux and politics), there's not much competition. Claim your spotlights now.
If anyone that makes videos on Loops reads this: I'm begging you, please put captions on your videos. Most of my 'doomscrolling on the phone' time doesn't happen in situations where turning the volume up is convenient/appropriate.
That's the problem, since open source projects have no stable income and no profit incentive, there's no one person to make tactical, executive decisions for the good of the project like these. I'm saying this because if open source ever wants to become a serious, competitive alternative (ie. have people turn to it out of convenience (90% of ppl) and not ideology or foresight (10% of ppl)), this is a weakness it's going to have to engineer a solution to. I genuinely think you have to play the game to beat the game.
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Truth is, fediverse's more fragile than people wanna Admit, that's my opinion from using it for a week. Firstly, everything works on grants and donations, there's no for profit model that's running these servers. That's bad because running social media is expensive.
Second fediverse's still utility first, user experience second priority. there's no recommendation algorithm on mastodon or most other fediverse servers.
Third, this is coming from a security stand point, fediverse is vulnerable to both centralised architecture, and decentralised architecture attacks.
Also it's just, for 90% of people, if they want to have a website like tiktok, they will just go to tiktok. Especially in case of tiktok. Very few people want to try stuff that's not as fully baked as corporate owned social media
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Is it? That got my interest, but I can't find mention of it on their site or FAQ
(I know Loops is, maybe I wasn't clear but I was meaning to ask about the other one.)
Oh, I was talking about Loops, I have no clue about upscroll...
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Why isn't the fediverse more popular? At futurology.today we have the benefit of also moderating r/futurology on reddit, which has 21.6 million subscribers. Out of the tens of thousands of people who've read our posts about the fediverse site, only a few hundred have signed up. Most of our subscribers are from elsewhere in the fediverse.
Regarding the Threadiverse in general, it seems that (1) many people find having to choose an instance first to be very confusing (not applicable to your situation I guess), (2) upon arrival these primarily Western people immediately see content proposing the murder of Westerners and demolition of the entire Western culture, whereupon they nope right back out (can you blame them?) and then complain bitterly about their toxic experiences here on other platforms, including Reddit and Bluesky and X.
Most of us forget how extensive our blocklists here have grown to be over time, and how much effort we put into Linux levels of tinkering to discover communities we like while blocking content we do not.
If I am wrong then please ignore me, but it's a thought to consider.
Of course mostly it's a network effect, so I am speaking about issues that we might actually be able to do something about.
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I know it can be challenging to convince people to migrate, but it’s crucial that we keep spreading awareness. I recently tried posting about decentralized alternatives on r/tiktok, but it seems the post was suppressed. I ended up sharing the same message as comments in relevant discussions instead.
Even small actions matter. If each of us can introduce just three people to the Fediverse—and they do the same—we can create a ripple effect that drives real growth.
Personally, alongside talking with my students, I’ve started running free workshops in Montreal on “deGAFAMing” your digital life. The first sessions had only 5–6 attendees, but the online version I’m hosting in February already has 30 registrations. I’ve even helped a small organization transition from Google Workspace to Nextcloud.
No matter how small your action may seem, every effort counts. Keep sharing, keep inviting, keep building. The future of the internet depends on it.
Here is a message aimed at tiktok users you could share around:
*If we leave TikTok for another proprietary app, we're just moving from one walled garden to another. Sooner or later, the same issues—censorship, political control, or corporate takeover—will follow us there.
That’s why we should try Loops instead. https://loops.video/
Loops is a decentralized alternative. No single company, political group, or billionaire can buy it or control what you see. You own your space. You shape your feed. You keep your voice.
Yes, Loops is smaller right now—and it might take a little time to adjust. But with your help, it will grow into the vibrant, free, and people-powered platform we deserve
Here's a short video introduction the Fediverse and decentralized social media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRJHIJy5Nno *
Every single person that I've told about Lemmy has outright scolded me for having mentioned it to them. I may have lost a couple of acquaintance connections even as a result.
When people Google search for "Lemmy" or otherwise get taken to lemmy.ml (didn't someone say that the so-called "random" instance picker chose either it or hexbear like 90% of the time?), see the content calling for murder of Westerners and the demise of Western civilization, is it any wonder that they choose not to come here, or if they create an account, to not remain?
Their preferences matter - to themselves at the very least, even if not to our instance admins that do not want to block it out so that potential new joiners won't have to see it presented with zero warning or any distinction at all that it may differ from any of the other content in this place.
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Truth is, fediverse's more fragile than people wanna Admit, that's my opinion from using it for a week. Firstly, everything works on grants and donations, there's no for profit model that's running these servers. That's bad because running social media is expensive.
Second fediverse's still utility first, user experience second priority. there's no recommendation algorithm on mastodon or most other fediverse servers.
Third, this is coming from a security stand point, fediverse is vulnerable to both centralised architecture, and decentralised architecture attacks.
Also it's just, for 90% of people, if they want to have a website like tiktok, they will just go to tiktok. Especially in case of tiktok. Very few people want to try stuff that's not as fully baked as corporate owned social media
Everything you said was spot on, and all of it is by design. The engineers and operators of the fediverse intentionally built their systems to be community-funded, algorithm-free, oriented around the tech-savvy, and otherwise deliberately eschewing the design principles behind corpo social media. None of that was an accident, it was the whole point.
So for people asking "when is the fediverse gonna create a competitor to tik tok" the answer is "never" because it was never its intent to do that. The friction is a feature, not a bug.
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Given the situation with TikTok—marked by censorship and the app's recent control by MAGA-aligned interests—I checked Reddit to see what TikTok users are saying. It turns out many are asking for alternatives. Most replies suggest other proprietary apps, and I haven’t seen any recommendations for decentralized platforms like LOOPS and others from the Fediverse.
In my opinion, we now have a small but critical window of opportunity to introduce people to the Fediverse. We need to go where young people are—Reddit, Instagram, or whatever platforms they use—and explain the basics of decentralization and why choosing another proprietary app will only lead to the same outcome. LOOPS is easy to join and feels exactly like Tiktok.
I had the chance to discuss this topic with my college students just last semester. Young people are not the “imbeciles” mainstream media often portrays them to be. They see what’s happening and want to participate in change. I am firmly convinced that they are a key component of the social revolution we need, and that with their help, we could dismantle the GAFAM economy in just a few weeks.
So I believe we have to seize this moment: share, explain, and promote the Fediverse wherever you can—especially in the coming days—because every invitation is a step toward a truly free and user-owned internet.
To the moon!
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Regarding the Threadiverse in general, it seems that (1) many people find having to choose an instance first to be very confusing (not applicable to your situation I guess), (2) upon arrival these primarily Western people immediately see content proposing the murder of Westerners and demolition of the entire Western culture, whereupon they nope right back out (can you blame them?) and then complain bitterly about their toxic experiences here on other platforms, including Reddit and Bluesky and X.
Most of us forget how extensive our blocklists here have grown to be over time, and how much effort we put into Linux levels of tinkering to discover communities we like while blocking content we do not.
If I am wrong then please ignore me, but it's a thought to consider.
Of course mostly it's a network effect, so I am speaking about issues that we might actually be able to do something about.
Just checked my blocklist to remind myself and... yep. Yeah that's a big blindspot for us, the pruning and curating of the space has to be done by hand. New users, and especially younger users, are often used to that being done for them by the platform itself.
The fediverse is like a massive yet untamed garden filled with various species, some beautiful, many poisonous. They don't see gloves and shears and see opportunity, they see a chore.
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Yeah, without a recommendation engine, or a for profit model, fediverse is destined to stay an enthusiast space.
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Yeah, without a recommendation engine, or a for profit model, fediverse is destined to stay an enthusiast space.
Which to be honest? Is totally fine with me. Re-diversifying the Internet is a good thing.
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I mean, I too prefer being on lemmy over reddit. I was just wondering about the EUs current push for open source alternatives, if they can ever succeed in their pursuit.
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I heard briefly about this on Loops actually, lol. I wonder what's the story with it? Is it some big tech company's new product, a stand-alone startup? American or some other origin? Decentralized? Open source or proprietary?
Not deadset on any of these as deal breakers, but would be nice if some aspects inspired confidence.
Here is the FAQ you're looking for I believe: https://upscrolled.com/en/faq/
They mention that are based on Australia
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Given the situation with TikTok—marked by censorship and the app's recent control by MAGA-aligned interests—I checked Reddit to see what TikTok users are saying. It turns out many are asking for alternatives. Most replies suggest other proprietary apps, and I haven’t seen any recommendations for decentralized platforms like LOOPS and others from the Fediverse.
In my opinion, we now have a small but critical window of opportunity to introduce people to the Fediverse. We need to go where young people are—Reddit, Instagram, or whatever platforms they use—and explain the basics of decentralization and why choosing another proprietary app will only lead to the same outcome. LOOPS is easy to join and feels exactly like Tiktok.
I had the chance to discuss this topic with my college students just last semester. Young people are not the “imbeciles” mainstream media often portrays them to be. They see what’s happening and want to participate in change. I am firmly convinced that they are a key component of the social revolution we need, and that with their help, we could dismantle the GAFAM economy in just a few weeks.
So I believe we have to seize this moment: share, explain, and promote the Fediverse wherever you can—especially in the coming days—because every invitation is a step toward a truly free and user-owned internet.
it was already known it was going to happen, tiktok was bought to stop any anti-israeli protests, and anti-conservative movement, since they originally were licking trumps arse.
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Given the situation with TikTok—marked by censorship and the app's recent control by MAGA-aligned interests—I checked Reddit to see what TikTok users are saying. It turns out many are asking for alternatives. Most replies suggest other proprietary apps, and I haven’t seen any recommendations for decentralized platforms like LOOPS and others from the Fediverse.
In my opinion, we now have a small but critical window of opportunity to introduce people to the Fediverse. We need to go where young people are—Reddit, Instagram, or whatever platforms they use—and explain the basics of decentralization and why choosing another proprietary app will only lead to the same outcome. LOOPS is easy to join and feels exactly like Tiktok.
I had the chance to discuss this topic with my college students just last semester. Young people are not the “imbeciles” mainstream media often portrays them to be. They see what’s happening and want to participate in change. I am firmly convinced that they are a key component of the social revolution we need, and that with their help, we could dismantle the GAFAM economy in just a few weeks.
So I believe we have to seize this moment: share, explain, and promote the Fediverse wherever you can—especially in the coming days—because every invitation is a step toward a truly free and user-owned internet.
Oh so NOW the insane censorship and fake news spreading on TikTok are an issue? In my opinion nothing changed. No matter if it‘s OG TikTok or US TikTok. They stand for the same authoritarian ideas. I guess it just hits closer to home for Americans now but it‘s essentially the same rotten thing it always was.
Which of course is not to say you shouldn‘t get off TikTok no matter where you are. Please do and believe me you won‘t even need replacement for doom scrolling brainrot. You can live perfectly without it.
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Agreed.
It does not help that moderation reports do not federate among Lemmy instances. They do in PieFed, I don't know about Mbin, but between Lemmy instances they do not, making the level of effort placed upon moderators really high by limiting the available pool to those on the same instance as the community.
It also does not help when instance admins protect those doing the bullying, such as hexbear admins that have even been caught lying to the admins of other instances, and refuse to police (i.e. ban) their own account holders as they constantly violate the rules on other instances. At that point, defederation becomes the only option left, except that many instances including yours are so high averse to defederations that instead the behaviors in question are essentially given carte blanche to continue without any means at all to stop it.
A fact that new visitors very much see - even if we old hands do not anymore, after having set up personal blocks aka blacklisting or otherwise view only Subscribed content aka exclude such via our whitelisting procedure. And new users that see what we have chosen to forget exists here go back and tell others about how unfriendly this place was to them.
So long as we leave the vast majority of the moderation burden on the individual user themselves, the Threadiverse is not going to grow and instead will continue to shrink. i.e. all the weeds are choking the garden.
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Agreed.
It does not help that moderation reports do not federate among Lemmy instances. They do in PieFed, I don't know about Mbin, but between Lemmy instances they do not, making the level of effort placed upon moderators really high by limiting the available pool to those on the same instance as the community.
It also does not help when instance admins protect those doing the bullying, such as hexbear admins that have even been caught lying to the admins of other instances, and refuse to police (i.e. ban) their own account holders as they constantly violate the rules on other instances. At that point, defederation becomes the only option left, except that many instances including yours are so high averse to defederations that instead the behaviors in question are essentially given carte blanche to continue without any means at all to stop it.
A fact that new visitors very much see - even if we old hands do not anymore, after having set up personal blocks aka blacklisting or otherwise view only Subscribed content aka exclude such via our whitelisting procedure. And new users that see what we have chosen to forget exists here go back and tell others about how unfriendly this place was to them.
So long as we leave the vast majority of the moderation burden on the individual user themselves, the Threadiverse is not going to grow and instead will continue to shrink. i.e. all the weeds are choking the garden.
Does defederating from hexbear also require defederating from other instances thar federate with hexbear?
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I know it can be challenging to convince people to migrate, but it’s crucial that we keep spreading awareness. I recently tried posting about decentralized alternatives on r/tiktok, but it seems the post was suppressed. I ended up sharing the same message as comments in relevant discussions instead.
Even small actions matter. If each of us can introduce just three people to the Fediverse—and they do the same—we can create a ripple effect that drives real growth.
Personally, alongside talking with my students, I’ve started running free workshops in Montreal on “deGAFAMing” your digital life. The first sessions had only 5–6 attendees, but the online version I’m hosting in February already has 30 registrations. I’ve even helped a small organization transition from Google Workspace to Nextcloud.
No matter how small your action may seem, every effort counts. Keep sharing, keep inviting, keep building. The future of the internet depends on it.
Here is a message aimed at tiktok users you could share around:
*If we leave TikTok for another proprietary app, we're just moving from one walled garden to another. Sooner or later, the same issues—censorship, political control, or corporate takeover—will follow us there.
That’s why we should try Loops instead. https://loops.video/
Loops is a decentralized alternative. No single company, political group, or billionaire can buy it or control what you see. You own your space. You shape your feed. You keep your voice.
Yes, Loops is smaller right now—and it might take a little time to adjust. But with your help, it will grow into the vibrant, free, and people-powered platform we deserve
Here's a short video introduction the Fediverse and decentralized social media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRJHIJy5Nno *
Out of curiosity, have you got a link or something for these workshops (and are they done in English or French)? I'm out in Ottawa, seems like a useful thing to have in my pocket to share with folks since there's a lot of movement between the two cities (and if online geography isn't a barrier).
If not, no worries and keep up the good fight.
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Oh so NOW the insane censorship and fake news spreading on TikTok are an issue? In my opinion nothing changed. No matter if it‘s OG TikTok or US TikTok. They stand for the same authoritarian ideas. I guess it just hits closer to home for Americans now but it‘s essentially the same rotten thing it always was.
Which of course is not to say you shouldn‘t get off TikTok no matter where you are. Please do and believe me you won‘t even need replacement for doom scrolling brainrot. You can live perfectly without it.
This has always been an issue. I’m just saying that now there's an opportunity to bring people to the Fediverse.
One thing, though: I’m getting tired of the negative comments about it. I’m trying to educate people in whatever small ways I can, hoping to make a modest positive impact in this dystopian world.
