I was never an 'online community first' person, preferring real-life connections over social media. Twitter's descent into chaos pushed me to Mastodon, initially appealing as 'Twitter without the bullshit.' But even that fractured platform offered no reliable news. As US media corporations became tools for oligarchs, outlets like the Washington Post turned propaganda, and traditional news sources failed to cover critical events like Trump's threats against Greenland.

Bluesky felt like a brand-driven echo chamber. Then, during the Greenland crisis, the Fediverse became my lifeline. People posted links with minimal commentary, sharing the best content from elsewhere without brand-building.

It wasn't about engagement metrics; it was just sharing knowledge. This direct, unfiltered exchange, free from algorithm-driven noise, provided trustworthy information I couldn't find elsewhere. The Fediverse offered a glimpse of the internet promised in 1996: a place where people simply share what they know.