this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2023
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Fediverse

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The mastodon and lemmy content I’m seeing feels like 90% of it comes from people who are:

  • ~30 years old or older

  • tech enthusiasts/workers

  • linux users

There’s nothing wrong with that particular demographic or anything, but it doesn’t feel like a win to me if the entire fediverse is just one big monoculture.

I wonder what it is that is keeping more diverse users away? Is picking a server/federation too complicated? Or is it that they don’t see any content that they like?

Thoughts?

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[–] merryflag0655@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I think more average users have just never heard about lemmy. At least it's like that for most people in my social circle.

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[–] JustinAngel@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I just joined and I suspect that you're correct: there's an overall learning curve. No snarky tone intended, but explaining decentralization to those who would likely struggle with grasping the basic client/server model is going to be challenge.

Shoot, I've got 10 years pentesting and R&D under my belt and it took me a while to weigh the pros and cons of creating an account on a public instance or self-hosting. (Will self-host eventually...enjoying a test drive.)

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[–] t0m5k1@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As a 49 year old IT worker I think you guessed well lol.

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[–] MartinXYZ@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 year ago

Yup. That's me.

[–] Roggie@lemmy.zip 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I was like “NO!” And then I remembered that I’m 25 now so…. Kinda :/

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[–] Crow@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is why I’m single as a 24 year old woman.

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[–] Rhabuko@feddit.de 12 points 1 year ago
  • I'm under 30
  • I use my PC for 3D render art as a hobby but otherwise I'm not a tech enthusiast
  • I don't use Linux.

With that said, early adopters are often tech enthusiasts. As the user base grows, so will the content and diversify itself.

[–] Auli@lemmy.ca 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

So exactly what Digg and Reddit where to begin with. The tech people are first and then everyone else comes over. Only this time I think the everyone else are staying on Reddit.

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[–] grizzledgrizzly@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (6 children)

I am 46 and started my career in tech but now work in another industry. I think it’s people with inquisitive minds rather than an age demographic. If there is something new and cool to check out in tech and it’s easy enough for busy people to understand I am all over it.

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[–] FARTYSHARTBLAST@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 year ago

Hey, I'm not old!

Shit, wait, yes I am.

[–] UnicornKitty@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I mostly fit that description. While I understand what you're saying, we all have other interests on top of this. That's what makes it diverse.

Personally, I feel like a more mature audience is needed. I have never liked the feel of places like Facebook, tiktok, etc. Let me have one place where I can pretend the world isn't overrun with stupidity. There is actual conversation on topics to be had, and people aren't jerks to others for no reason.

The fediverse is somewhat complicated to understand. Maybe like usenet or other such places.

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[–] Dohnakun@lemmy.fmhy.ml 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That's why it's less toxic? No teens?

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[–] TiffyBelle@feddit.uk 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It feels very much the same type of people who were mostly hanging around the early Internet; BBS and IRC, etc. before "the general population" caught on and flooded the space.

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[–] A_Chilean_Cyborg@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

I'm 19 if that works for you, just following wherever people go.

[–] aidan@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago (4 children)
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[–] mawp@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I just passed into the 30 and older crowd yesterday, and created an account a few days before. Thanks... :(

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[–] BigMike@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

I think the federation system is quite a barricade for some people. I recently changed over to Lemmy from Reddit, and it was quite challenging to first understand how it worked. Also I am not sure that I even now understand how this works fully.

Also the smaller community on Lemmy might be a turn-off for some people.

[–] AirZone@lemm.ee 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Well.. I'm 36 yo physician, an orthopedic surgeon resident. But I do LOVE tech&gaming. I want to switch from reddit because my favorite app boost stopped working and the creator is developing a boost app for lemmy. Oh and the official reddit app is just shit. I do hope lemmy will get bigger.

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[–] code@lemmy.mayes.io 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

30 is just a baby. My son is 30. Im late 50’s.

I think older techies are just sick of all the bullshit regarding corporate aocial/web etc. A lot of us went to linux to escape windows hell for same reasons. Tech is abused to unfathomable levels so we do what we can to limit it.

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[–] deviantkhaaos@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Just so we are clear.. Reddit was the same, likely before your time. But sites like Digg and Reddit were for nerds but over time it brought in other 'communities' in a forum type style. Build it and they will come. (also you're likely too old for that reference too, but its all good) I like the less 'normy' experience.

[–] sour@lemm.ee 10 points 1 year ago

am teenager

[–] Under30NoLinuxNoTech@lemm.ee 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Before seeing this post, I didn't see a reason to make an account instead of just lurking, but now I made an account because I feel more special.

If this was your plan all along, you have my utmost respect.

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[–] jtskywalker@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Hey, I'm still in my 20s... for another 3 weeks. Also, Software Engineer for over 10 years...

For me, I really miss the old school internet forms where it was all just people nerding out about the same stuff and providing useful information because they cared about the interest and the community.

Reddit used to be like that but now it's like any other social media platform.

Everything is becoming algorithm driven endless scrolling packed with ads and promoted content with very little focus on the community and actual information. It is just an app you use when you want to turn off your brain.

I'm brand new to lemmy and stuff like it but I'm hoping to find something closer to the classic internet. Not sure if that's what I'll find here but reddit sure isn't that any more, and hasn't been for a while

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[–] CreeperODeath@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Nah I'm a 19 year old tech nerd With a pinch of Linux enthusiast lol

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[–] dragonflyteaparty@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

I mean, I'm 32, my husband is a software dev, and I've been curious about Linux, but not enough to make the move. 😅 So, one of of three.

But I agree with the others. It's probably partly due to the signup. I also think that the techy prime are the ones who understand what happened with Reddit better and are more likely to care.

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