I think there is one main difference between xmpp and activitypub. A chat protocol gets better the more users it has. So the users were the killer app. xmpp arguably wasn't much worse off after Google left than before it got there.

Mastodon is a bit like this, in that lots of users are probably looking for the same type of content from the same users as they got on Twitter.

kbin/lemmy are a lot less like that. I just need enough people to surface interesting content and have a meaningful conversation. And I've already (mostly) got that now. If meta brought all of their users to link sharing it would probably get worse with clout-chasing, organic marketing, and low effort crap.

"Bite my ossified, decrepit ass."

This is a really good point. I have a PlayStation, (disclaimer) so I'm relatively content with their success in the buying-studios-to-produce-console-exclusives game. But it's objectively bad for the industry. Gamers don't benefit because they can't play where they want (or can afford), developers don't benefit because they lose creative control and market share (with the trade off of some short term capital influx), and publisher's don't even really benefit because its a game of mutually assured destruction that all ends up on Steam discount list anyway.

Plus: if Sony does manage a definitive win in the console wars that will shut down billions of dollars of investment that Microsoft is currently putting into the industry. And not just on the console side. That's bad for everyone. Microsoft has been leading the way in accessibility and interoperability between platforms (Game Pass on mobile/console/pc). And that's to be applauded.

I read somewhere (forgive me for not having a link) that the games industry recently shrunk for the first time in a long time. I think it largely has to do with tiktok and other more instant gratification choices for free-time. But gaming entering into the hellscape of streaming fragmentation is not drawing outsiders to the hobby.

Agreed. But I wouldn't say it's overstated; it's misleading. It's largely a quote from the judge, who may be an idiot, but they said what they said. "Trump-appointed judge rules that Biden Administration went too Far in Preventing Medical Misinformation," is wonky but more accurate.

IANAL, but I imagine that being in the middle of the ocean would provide some immunity because the "crime" was jurisdictionless.

And mass migrations and political strife

This is terrible! I don't know anyone who likes beer who doesn't like Anchor Steam. I'm honestly shocked that none of the big boys have stepped up to buy the brand. Though, I guess maybe they're waiting for bargain basement prices in liquidation. Gutted.

I'm a vegetarian. Largely for animal cruelty reasons. But increasingly, and perhaps predominately, now, for ecological ones. I don't know how I feel about cultured meat. I've sat in a quiet room for the express purpose of thinking about this issue and I still don't know what I think. As a lifelong holder of very strong opinions, that's strange for me. Part of me thinks I should be asking vegetarians about this. But part of me thinks I should be asking people at large. Does anyone have a considered opinion about this?

This is so unsettling. Its grimly intriguing, but I also wish I'd never heard of it too!

I'm a vegetarian, so I'm...whatever. But I see no real difference between cow/horse. I saw the six downvotes and was, if I'm honest, hoping for a little drama in the comments. But it's not here. It seems like kbin/lemmy may have plateaued re user growth, at least for the time being. And I've been a bit bummed about it, generally. But this was a pleasant surprise.

Same with Relay... I checked it to see what the dead so would look like and all the genetic frontage posts loaded in... It'll be interesting to see what happens.

One way that I have used up/down votes, particularly on comments, is to surface the most valuable information. For example, if a post has valuable content, that is patently useful but it isn't the top comment I will down-vote the top comment(s) and upvote the valuable one.

For example, if someone posts a question and the top 3 comments are low-effort jokes, and the fourth comment is the answer, I would down-vote the top three and upvote the 4th. In an effort to surface the best information.

Now, I try not to do this unless I'm certain of post 4s quality. And usually not unless there are enough votes that a joke-commenters would feel personally picked on, or like their joke wasn't good.

Other examples of good comments (by my reckoning) are: transcriptions, useful links or context, proof, other examples of the same thing. Or somewhat verifiable reasons why the post is unhelpful or misleading.

The crowd isn't always right. But it can provide useful context and I try to be a part of that.

It's stupidly easy and works well with any sauce that you're happy to dip bread in.

It really is a charming game. I think this article does a good job describing some of is delights. What really struck me though is that the main mechanics are things that you'd find in a leechy freemium mobile game. But they're layered in complimentary loops that make the whole FAR more than the sum of it's parts.

Same. I figured she was saying it at least a little tongue in cheek. Though, hopefully Ahsoka HAS played the master role with her in a more direct way in the intervening years.

I can see why people would hate it. But I actually love magazines. Though "bins" for kbin makes a lot of sense too.

I bought X4 and it wouldn't start. So I refunded it and now I'm on the hunt again.

I played it on my PS5 and really enjoyed it. (To be fair I didn't pay for it) I've tried previous games and bounced off of them. But this one stuck. If it turns out to run okay. It may be worth it if you're interested.

Dunno. But they seem to be leaning quite heavily into the "I'm no Jedi," thing. All of the lightsabers none of the dogma? I think it's an interesting way to go considering how big the sick-of-jedi-sith contingency is these days.

I know it's not easy, but something that has helped me in a similar but not identical situation is to refuse to think about work outside of work. I was up last night worrying about work. So I know it's not a perfect strategy, but trying to lock your mind against it is helpful. Or has been to me. I try the "yes, this is a 'problem' but not a problem for right now. I deserve to only have to try and figure it out on the clock."

My subsidiary strategy is to try and have a fun mental game to play with myself. I'm a Star Wars guy so I try: If x was different how would Episode Y play out. Or what would my ideal zombie videogame look like. Essentially something that is "unimportant," that I like, that has a lot of factors to consider. #1 to enjoy thinking about, and #2 that is complex enough and detailed enough to supply me with an "endless" well of stuff to prevent the scaries from sneaking in.