With Bluesky, the social media echo chamber is back in vogue
Bluesky is attracting users dissatisfied with X's divisive environment, especially among progressives, leading to concerns about echo chambers and a significant decline in X's active user base.
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The rise of Bluesky, a social media platform founded by Twitter's co-founder Jack Dorsey, has led to a notable migration of users from X (formerly Twitter), particularly among progressive individuals. This shift has been driven by dissatisfaction with the current direction of X under Elon Musk, who has been criticized for fostering a divisive environment. As users leave X, they are gravitating towards Bluesky and Meta's Threads, with Bluesky emerging as a favored space for media professionals and academics. However, this trend raises concerns about the formation of echo chambers, as users tend to share similar viewpoints, creating a less diverse discourse. The decline in political engagement on X, especially among progressives, has been significant, with a drop in active users from 8 million to 5.6 million in the UK over the past year. While some users appreciate the cozy, like-minded atmosphere of Bluesky, critics argue that such environments hinder meaningful dialogue and understanding. The situation highlights the irony of Musk's earlier warnings about social media splintering into polarized factions, as his ownership of X has arguably contributed to this reality.
- Bluesky is gaining popularity among users dissatisfied with X's current environment.
- The platform is particularly favored by media types and academics, creating a potential echo chamber.
- X has seen a significant decline in active users, particularly among progressives.
- Critics argue that echo chambers hinder meaningful dialogue and understanding.
- Musk's ownership of X has contributed to the polarization he previously warned against.
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With Bluesky, the social media echo chamber is back in vogue
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5 commentsEDIT: I was wrong! It is mostly comprised of progressive refugees from X.
I started on Mastodon around the time the Reddit protests happened and would say it has a lot of highly negative left wing nuts. I used to be bothered by "gender activists" who I've been able to keep at bay with blocks and filters but now the people I find obnoxious are the ones who have built their identity around having a "disability" and how it makes them morally better than "abled" people. (Blessedly I don't need to deal with right-wing nuts on Mastodon, but I meet some in real life)
I have to deal with emotional negativity sometimes from people I care about but strangers no. I immediately unfollow people who boost emotionally negative stuff and mute liberally.
I post a similar stream of content to Mastodon like what I post to HN
I am very interested in political science and politics outside the US, if I want to read about the Presidental election though I will go to The Economist and 538 and maybe Google News if there is breaking news (e.g. more shots fired at Trump) I will unfollow anyone who posts Kamala Harris memes (won't help her win.)
I absolutely need an API for posting on any site I join because I get a little help from my friend YOShInOn (look it up in the HN search) I have thought about Bluesky, Instagram and Threads in that order. For whatever reason Instagram won't let me create an account even though I think my photos would do well there. (I never did anything obnoxious on a Meta property, honest!) That rules out Threads but I have to admit that if I ran a social network it would look like Threads in that I'd de-prioritize polarized politics.
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With Bluesky, the social media echo chamber is back in vogue
Bluesky is gaining traction as users leave X, particularly progressives in the UK. However, it faces criticism for fostering echo chambers, raising concerns about the viability of inclusive digital discourse.