I don't like the clickbait title at all -- Mastodon's clearly going to survive, at least for the forseeable future, and it wouldn't surprise me if it outlives Xitter.

Still, Mastodon is struggling; most of the people who checkd it out in the November 2022 surge (or the smaller June 2023 surge) didn't stick around, and numbers have been steadily declining for the last year. The author makes some good points, and some of the comments are excellent.

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[–] halm@leminal.space 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

you don’t sell a novel tech named after an extinct animal

They didn't, Mastodon is named after the metal band (which is named after the extinct animal) 🙂

Either way, back in 2008 I bet people were making fun of Twitter for being named after bird sounds, so.

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago

I wasn't aware of the connection with the band - thanks for the info! Still, people are bound to associate "mastodon" first and foremost with the critter.

Either way, back in 2008 I bet people were making fun of Twitter for being named after bird sounds, so.

I don't remember but you're likely correct. There's a difference though - Twitter didn't need to capitalise on every single tiny advantage, Mastodon does it, and while the role of branding might be small it still gives you (or your competitors) some edge.

[–] oldfart@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They created a name clash with the band on purpose? Because they're fans? That's rich.

[–] halm@leminal.space 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

"He", not "they" — if I understand correctly this was way back when Eugene Rochko was the sole developer — but yes. Same as Lemmy being named after Lemmy Kilmister, and Debian major versions after Toy story characters.

I don't see what's "rich" about that, it's just developers having personal tastes outside of coding.

[–] oldfart@lemm.ee 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Exactly copying a name is a bit strange to me. I have always been under impression that whoever named the social network has been unaware of the band.

Lemmy and Debian are not the same.

[–] halm@leminal.space 1 points 1 month ago

Lemmy and Debian are not the same.

Specifically Lemmy is exactly the same — a direct namedrop in tribute of a known musician or band. It's really no weirder than a band naming itself after archduke Franz Ferdinand, or after Nikolai Gogol 🤷