It doesn't need to provide value to everyone. That would be nice, but I don't mind it just being a smaller amount of enthusiasts. I've been having some really good discussions here lately. That's the value I see at least.
This is a great start. I think a first goal should not be to replace big tech, but the create thriving alternatives. You should not have to feel that you are missing out by not using facebook, twitter, instagram, reddit etc. And with Mastodon/Lemmy/kbin we are getting there even if it is very very early still.
I got rid of Twitter back in November when shtf a bit. I have had some fantastic conversations on Mastodon, and I expect to have some fantastic conversations here, as well!
Right? I can post something on Mastodon and get real people responding on the regular. Never had that on Twitter. It's like posting to ChatGPT, but responses are slower and by actual people.
On what metric did Mastodon fail? It has a vibrant community and lively conversations. I have seen what counts as "succsses" by corporate standards - a site that is ad infested to the point of unusability, and where users are kept in a state od agitation by the algorhythm for maximum retention and exploitation. I hope that Mastodon, and Kbin/Lemmy never become a "succsses" by corpo silo standards.