Diversity and Inclusion at Micro.blog: Where We Are, Where We Want to Go micro.welltempered.net
@macgenie the fact that the community has been, is still continuously thinking about this, as it grows, convinces me that the effort will be successful. Boundaries on what’s just not acceptable are better drawn before it gets late — micro.blog is clearly on right path.
@macgenie Good job. As well as race & gender, I think it would be a good idea to encourage more use by non-Apple users, as well.
@macgenie I've never felt the least bit unwelcome here!! Not at all, ever! That was not my point at all.
@Ron I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I have a few non-Apple-using acquaintances who can be trying in their disdain for my chosen platform! 🙂
@macgenie So glad to see this post; thank you! Another thing that complicates gauging the diversity of a community is that we’re attuned to look for visual markers, which often aren’t apparent or are hard to gauge. (I run into this often at work.) Orientation/expression, (dis)ability, & socio-economic status (naming just a few others of a very deep iceberg) are unlikely to show up in a cursory look at a user profile unless explicitly stated, which relies on a person’s level of comfort in sharing that/those aspects of their personhood. Helping those amplify those voices in a way that respects their privacy is tricky, but I’m convinced we can do it.
@macgenie Haha. I'm a full grown adult. It would just be nice to see some discussion here of useful things on platforms, not just one.
@macgenie provides a great challenge to look outside our normal circles to encourage a wide range of people to participate and be included on Micro.blog.
A great challenge indeed, thanks Jean!
@macgenie @Ron I've recently had some weird interactions with FLOSS-only people who think use of Apple tech is oppressive and OMG so expensive. But realistically, it's far harder to make & support Android, Linux, or Windows software at comparable quality.
@mdhughes I wouldn't know about that, I'm a tax acct, not a developer. In bkpg & tax prep Windows dominates. I started with Apple II+ but had to switch to Win to make a living. And I will admit, I should probably floss a whole lot more!
@macgenie So glad to see this. I’ve noticed this same thing & it lingers in my mind when I spend time here. I end up feeling a kind of guilt because it feels so closed, exclusive. I know that’s not the intent but your post is the first I’ve seen to explicitly address it. 🙌🏽
@Ron "I should probably floss a whole lot more" I nearly spit my drink reading that :). Although I wouldn't classify "platform diversity" in the same way as the diversity intended by this thread, I can understand why you would be disappointed in what appears to be an Apple focus here. Being an "Apple Person" myself, I can attest that for some reason we love talking about every silly little Apple-related detail. I'm guilty! In my defense, I have been talking a bit about Linux lately. Does that count? :).
@macgenie Well, I might be the first and only blind person to have joined micro.blog. I was one of the first to join Twitter back in 2007.
@macgenie I'm always interested in trying new social networks and services etc. Although I'm probably not mainstream when it comes to my viewpoint. I consider myself fairly libertarian.
@jack Ha ha ha. You totally get a pass, as I find your Org Mode postings interesting, & I may try out Spacemacs. PLUS you post about cameras, great photos of your dogs, notebooks, good stuff. Maybe I'll get up the nerve to buck the tide and post something about Android stuff. :)
@Ron I would wager that this is one of the "safest" places online to do just that. As someone "Android Curious" I certainly wouldn't mind!
@jack I wouldn't bet against you. Something is cooking up in my mind about that, but gotta get back to earning some dough for today. Watch for something from me in a day or a few. @macgenie
@macgenie I'm grateful for this focus from the outset. So far, I've held a self-imposed rule that white men can only make up 50% of the accounts I follow on m.b. Not everyone can do this, and sometimes (like you said) race and gender are not apparent -- but who you follow matters.
@kwlblt Agreed. We are doing our best to make the community aware of different voices via Discover. It is a lot easier to have a rule of thumb like yours on Twitter where there are so many more people.
@hope I’m glad you are here. Please do feel free to give us feedback. I know we want to make Micro.blog as accessible as we can as well. /@manton
@macgenie @manton Jean's blog post inspired me to publish my thoughts regarding diversity on Micro.blog: “Strategies to increase diversity on Micro.blog”
@macgenie I know you've seen this, but since I'm not super good at pinging conversations, just linking my reply to you here for posterity andrewkurjata.ca/micro/201...
@macgenie Besides my Wp imports not wanting to finish for some reason, I haven't had too many problems. Usually the issue lies between the keyboard and the chair.
@macgenie By the way, most everything works fine except when I'm posting, the contents of the field appear blank. I know they aren't because I'm typing and hear the words. Also I can select and copy the content to paste it into a text editor.