The Beehaw admins made this choice, and documented their rationale here: https://beehaw.org/post/567170
Man that is weird. Thank you for the link; I have such mixed feelings.
On the one hand, yes I think it makes a ton of sense to vet your userbase if you want to cultivate a particular sort of discussion (i.e., you want thoughtful comments vs shitposts and memes). OTOH, the response reads like a “For WUSSIES ONLY” want ad. It’s the internet dude, toughen up a little. For the same reason, HOLY SHIT how do you have an instance without downvote? You can’t curate content on moderation a lone. But then, maybe that’s why they are defederated.
It’s the internet dude, toughen up a little.
That is such a weird take. People go and create a space deliberately aimed at making people feel more welcome than on the rest of the internet, and you come and shit on it because… Why? Are people not allowed to create and seek out spaces where they’re at least semi-protected from the bullshit greeting them everywhere else? Or do you feel entitled to interact with everyone on the internet however you like, regardless of their needs, and are upset to find out that sometimes, you can’t?
I’m glad for you that you don’t have the need for a place like beehaw, but other people sometimes just want to take a break from all the bullshit, and they have every right to do so, even on the internet.
Can you not smell the irony here?
“Nobody needs to listen to your crass and entitled take on safe spaces; think of their needs! Here is my entitled and intentionally provocative take on YOUR take, fuck your needs stranger.”
Fortunately, this is not beehaw so we can have this enlightened exchange of ideas.