Bluesky Thinking

Exactly eight months ago I wrote a post about joining Bluesky Social. Having dumped X (formerly Twitter) around seven months prior to that, I was hopeful that Bluesky might fill the consequent gap in my online reading material and put me in contact once again with like-minded fans of Nat. Hist. Well, initially it didn't really do that. It felt like I had stepped out of a heaving, sweaty, noisy pub and found myself in the quiet cool of a car park with a handful of others who couldn't abide the din. Bluesky was a pleasant relief, sure, but not very lively. It seemed that most of those whose input I had enjoyed on X/Twitter were still there. Okay, some might have a token Bluesky account but were barely active on it, if at all. Bluesky was nice, but quiet. And so it remained, for quite some time...

Still, at least I knew that a quick look at my Bluesky feed would be just that - quick. A couple of new posts to catch up with perhaps, maybe a handful. However, a little while ago it was like someone in the pub had let off a massive stink-bomb. As I type, the exodus is in full swing, and the car park is filling up fast.

For new arrivals, Bluesky must seem like Twitter of old. Well, it is and it isn't. Unlike X, Bluesky is not all about followers/following. Rather, curated 'feeds' are more where it's at. I have a number of feeds pinned to my home page. Yes, one of those is my 'Following' feed, where I see the output of accounts I follow, but others include 'Birding UK/IRE', 'Bioacoustics', 'Team Moth' etc, which offer thematic material from any who tag the relevant topic in their post. Most feeds offer a 'starter pack' of accounts to follow, putting you in touch rapidly with content that might interest you. As far as I can tell I am not in any starter packs, but even so my account is attracting new followers every single day right now.

Bluesky remains ad-free. I suspect many would be happy to pay a modest subscription to keep it that way. I certainly would. Meanwhile, to what extent will the current X-odus empty that place of birdy folk? I am fascinated to see. I'm probably being simplistic, but as an increasing number of familiar - and welcome - names pop up on Bluesky, I imagine the scene inside that old pub being less and less one of considered discussion and debate, but rather more and more one of belligerent ranting and noisily throwing up in the corner.

Catching up with Bluesky is no longer quick.