Eternal November (Fediverse)

by

Usenet

Usenet is an early Internet social-network with origins in the 1980s.

(Usenet was actually a copy of parts of an even earlier online social-network on a pre-Internet online system called BBS.)

In 1993 Usenet experienced what some called — Eternal September.

What was Eternal-September‽ —

Eternal September

Usenet's Eternal September was when — in 1993 a overwhelming number of new users joined Usenet within a relatively short period of time and —

These newcomers to Usenet changed the social-norms — they changed the culture of Usenet against the will of many (maybe most) earlier users of Usenet.

While many early Usenet users were welcoming to the newcomers — there was social conflict.

They battled —

The people of Usenet's Eternal September — the overwhelming number of new users who joined Usenet — battled with the earlier users of Usenet

They battled about what the culture & social-norms of Usenet would be going forward.

The early users of Usenet lost the battle!!!

The social-norms & culture of Usenet were permanently changed.

I think something like this happened to the Fediverse and Mastodon

Eternal November

Around November, 2022 an overwhelming number of new users have joined the FediverseMastodon within a relatively short period of time — mostly as part of the Twitter migration.

The newcomes to the Fediverse & Mastodon have largely been welcomed by the earlier users of the Fediverse.

But there is conflict —

Some of the Twitter migration newcomers are battling with earlier users of the Fediverse & Mastodon over what the culture & social-norms will be going forward.

I think some of the culture and social-norms of the Fediverse & Mastodon have already started to change, as a result of this.

How far it will go — only time will tell. But —

I think — just like Usenet had its Eternal September — for better or worse, the Fediverse and Mastodon are having their own Eternal November.