this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2023
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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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[–] theKalash@feddit.ch 3 points 2 years ago

Older? It seems the general lemmy population is in their early 20s.

[–] Thorny_Thicket@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 years ago

Not exactly but I feel like those are my people nevertheless

[–] FinalBoy1975@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

I'm almost 48. My profession: foreign languages and literature. I have had a computer since I was 7 years old. I know how to use Linux and I have played video games all my life. I know a little code. I'm good with computers. A lot of people my age in my profession are not all that good with computers. They think they are because they can make a PowerPoint presentation or took a class on how to use a spread sheet as a grade book. So, I don't know, I don't think everyone on here are older tech nerds, so it's not exclusive to them. They could be the majority, though. Am I a nerd? Yes. But a different type of nerd. I speak three languages and read six. I can diagram a sentence and correct peoples' grammar and vocabulary in my sleep. I know all about literature from the 16th and 17th centuries. I play video games and I like technology enough, but it does not consume my life. Are there lots of people on here like me? I don't know. I DO know that I've interacted with a lot of younger people on here. To understand how to use this new type of social media you have to understand technology pretty well. It isn't for people who just want to tap or click on stuff that "just works." You need a basic understanding of how decentralized social networks function to be able to navigate it and you have to have patience with things that might slow down or do strange things every once in a while. There are lots of people my age that would not have the patience to learn how to use this space on the internet. In a lot of ways, they are very similar to the stereotypes of "average twenty-somethings" I've seen mentioned in this thread. No worries about privacy. In some cases, perfectly happy with their privacy being invaded because they want to see ads related to products they would buy. I also enjoy shopping. It's fun. I don't like ads, though.

[–] lukewarm_tauntaun@feddit.de 3 points 2 years ago

Yes, and I'm loving it.

[–] Lifetrip@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago

I fit those ... You must be right.

[–] randomdude567@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Yes. Especially on Mastodon, a poll showed nearly half of the site was above 40 and 3 percent were under 18. Most of the content is people talking about the site itself, especially on lemmy. I've felt pretty isolated as a minor on the sites.

[–] neu@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Signing up and commenting on Lem should be made stupid simple so that masses can flock here instead. ANY friction in between will result in no action taken. Also more Google searche algos with Lemmy will greatly help.

[–] ugh@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago

I was ready to argue that we're not all older, but apparently I'm in that category. I'm not very tech literate or use Linux, though.

I think someone else got it right. Younger people didn't live through dial-up and the old internet. They grew up with polished apps and fast loading websites. They're used to convenience.

It can be intimidating to join the fediverse. I was intimidated and still a bit confused. It's not something I'm familiar with in the slightest. I'm not scared of challenging myself to learn something new in tech, though, because of the generation I was born into. We grew up experimenting with the crunchy internet and awkward technology.

[–] vd1n@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I fit the description. I like it, the regular social media life drains me.

Eli5...How can I get into mastadon? I just signed up for Lemmy. Can I download any mastadon app and just log in and use it?

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[–] Kaleunt17@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

I do not think that it is complicated to join or use.

But many do not care about privacy and centralization and hence will not leave mainstream platforms. Also the network effect is strong.

[–] Sandakada@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Reddit began in a similar fashion, so its a positive trait for sure

[–] KuroJ@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Hey! I'm all three of those 🤓

[–] xavier666@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (7 children)
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[–] yogo@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago

Yep that’s me

[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

It's also used by loads of tankies

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[–] within_epsilon@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

You caught me. I'm old, write software and regularly use Linux.

[–] Guster@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Im below 30 guess im young then 😅

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