Does it feel like the fediverse is exclusively used by older tech nerds?
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?
Tech nerds invent new technology/platform>nerds flock to new thing>the masses hear about it and start flooding it>money notices a large user base that isn't being complete wrung out for money>money destroys the new thing by making it unusable for profit>repeat
I have a feeling the concept of separate instances here on Lemmy with throw off a lot of non-techy people. When they can't figure out how to sign up or why they need to pick a server you've lost the huge majority of the population. Maybe it's a good thing.
If they can figure out email, they can figure out this. I think the problem is more that the average person isn't looking for alternative social media. Even if they are, they will probably ignore Lemmy because of its small userbase.
I think (at least part of) the problem is that whenever the media explain anything fediverse they start by saying "this is really complicated" and then give a ridiculous analogy. The average person switches off as soon as they're told its complicated and the supposed explanation provides nothing helpful.
I agree with you, if they figured out email they can figure this.