I’m just curious if it is on the table at some point. I only see a small slice of beehaw when I’m logged in but the active participation feels like it is on a downward trend. Like, there appears to be ~700 on here right now. I know numbers aren’t everything, but overall engagement is important. I’m on several instances with different accounts. I’ve been gravitating towards my .world account because it is so active. I get a grouchy or rude reply still from time to time, but it seems like most of the trolls have gone or been removed. That instance seems to be maturing fast and growing some personality all its own. The server seems constantly stressed, but Ruud is holding it together. The moderation seems much more in check now too. That’s just my perspective. I’d like to see everyone come together again, but I am just one user.
I think federation is overrated. How difficult is it to have multiple accounts these days?
It will be very hard to vet users from other instances properly in the Fediverse. Even if tools exist to do better validation (like, for instance, allowing an instance to validate that the subscriber from another instance has a valid email address), someone with ill intent can figure out a way around that.
I think that the Fediverse could use an identity verification service, but fear that’s what Facebook is trying to be.
Having multiple accounts isn’t the issue IMO. It’s communication about centralization / decentralization. There is confusing and mixed messaging about the difference between “Lemmy” and “Beehaw.” Just like there is between “Mastodon” and “mastodon.socal.”
Joe public’s perception of participation in social networks is based on brand: “See my post on Facebook,” “reply to my tweet,” “did you see that subreddit?”
It needs to be clearer that’s not how things work here. There are things you gain from decentralization, but also things you lose. People will always want the best of both worlds.