Being able to join an instance with its own culture, while still being able to connect outside that culture, is the only reason I use any social media at all.

Being able to join an instance with its own culture, while still being able to connect outside that culture, is the only reason I use any social media at all. I understand it can be confusing for people coming from Twitter or Facebook or wherever, the local instance culture is Mastodon’s greatest strength. That, of course, and the lack drive to turn a profit from users.