Fediverse Rules of Engagement

These are my "rules" for how I interact on the Fediverse (Mastondon, GoToSocial, and other ActivityPub friends). I don't claim that they're perfect or correct or appropriate for anyone other than me.

Follow and unfollow liberally. Follow folks boosted into my feed, follow folks who interact with me, follow from the federated timeline. If necessary, turn off their boosts or add new filters. Unfollow them if it doesn't feel right.

Check remote replies before sending my own reply. Every server has a partial window of the Fediverse. Is my reply redundant? Is the person already drowning in replies?

Do not meta. Meta is the mind killer. Meta is the little death that brings total obliteration.

Always post alt text. Do not boost anything without alt text.

Treat unverified accounts as illegitimate. Applies to notable persons only.

Don't boost news that lacks a clear citation. Be wary of screenshots of text.

No GenAI. Don't boost, don't interact, consider muting or blocking the poster depending on severity. Be extremely wary of "leftist" folks posting GenAI slop.