A year after Elon Musk bought Twitter (now X) in 2022, more and more people and groups were looking for alternatives to the famous micro-blogging network, which had become the plaything of a billionaire with libertarian ideals and close ties to the far right. One of these alternatives is Mastodon, a free and decentralised alternative, with no algorithms and no advertising, that can be set up and maintained by institutions, associations, activists or volunteers anywhere in the world.

What is a decentralised social network? And, above all, why and how do we fit into it? Breaking away from the business and profit motives of mainstream social networks, Mastodon offers a different, non-commercial, more human experience, characterised by accessibility and inclusiveness.

In this workshop, we introduced Mastodon and helped participants to take their first steps in this decentralised world, so different from the platforms we’re used to.

Practical details:
It was suggested to the participants, if possible, to come with a computer or, at the very least, a smartphone or tablet with an internet connection.

Every 2nd Monday of the month, DK’s critical reflection encounters address digital-related topics (e.g. algorithms, surveillance capitalism, ecological impacts, etc.) and explore alternative ways of doing things (discovering free and ethical tools, unboxing smartphones, protecting communications, etc.).

These meetings are held in French and organised by Constant’s partner, Tactic.

Image: Mastodon.social, Licence CC BY-SA 4.0