The social winds are shifting.
I’m sure many of you have seen the excitement about Bluesky this week. Is anyone hanging out over there? I logged on a while ago, but, like many social sites, it didn’t take for me. After the election, I’ve been reducing my Twitter/X usage and have considered logging off that app entirely. When Bluesky picked up steam, I decided to give it another shot.
You know what? It’s fun!
I’ve been reconnecting with old photography friends all week, and it’s felt like a photoland homecoming. I remember the exciting early days of social media when we were all coming online and meeting each other for the first time. Over the years, social media became somewhat of a slog, and we drifted apart for various reasons. I suspect that algorithms and advertisements came between us. So it goes, right?
I don’t know if Bluesky will have staying power, but for now, I’m having fun and feeling inspired by the artists, writers, filmmakers, and photographers I’m meeting there. Spending more time on platforms not owned by Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk seems like a positive step. I'm probably overly optimistic, but this feels like a new era for social media, and Bluesky might be the platform to meet the moment.
I plan to use it to show photography, recommend photobooks, and promote creative opportunities. I write about pictures here in the newsletter, but I want a short-form space to share images and ideas. And I love meeting creative people and promoting their work. Hopefully, Bluesky will fill that void. Fingers crossed!
I want to connect with you if you're exploring over there. You can find me at @flakphoto.news or by searching for FlakPhoto on the app. If you don’t mind, please drop a link to your Bluesky profile in the comments so we all can connect there. Okay, friends, I’ll see you on the other side. Have a great weekend!
Strange coincidence, but I checked out Bluesky yesterday. It looked like a good replacment Twitter before He Who Shall Not Be Named took it over. But I'm resisting...for now...on the grounds that I'm already approaching the point of being over committed to social media. I feel like I'm inching towards the point where it gets in the way of my work..and the rest of my life...
I just made my account at Bluesky ( @hvz47 ). I am curious what it will bring me and others. And also a bit sceptical. Will it suffer the same Road X is driving? Bluesky is in the same system, it has to make money at the end. That corrupts easily the idealistic ideas from the beginning. But let’s give it a lucky hand. In the meantime, spread kindness and inclusion and enjoy your life with loved ones. And have mercy for the turkey.