@alan
The other reason for the popularity of these platforms is that they have become popular
Twitter is the homeland of politicians and famous people issuing statements and is seen on all small and big news everyday. Facebook is also similar with a very huge user base and the number of this user base (as well as the integration of using Google and Facebook accounts for signing up for different services and websites) attracts the crowd.
As probability nicely says, most people will use the things which other most people use.
@mur2501 But when did we stop being curious about new platforms? Facebook and Twitter were new at some point and people took a leap of faith. Once their friends and family saw them there and heard about the shiny new place online, they all flocked there.
I wonder why the same hasn’t happened with a decentralised system as broad and as varied as the fediverse.
@alan
That's a nice question, the difference between when Facebook started in 2005 and the current year 2021 is simply that more people are on internet now (especially due to smartphones), links to Facebook and Twitter are seen everywhere (the two companies have heavily invested in making their name appear everywhere on the internet even paying news channels to cover the platforms covertly). Back in the time things were more manual, control was more on your side, now it's all just one tap away and the big tech make sure that you can't run away from them while using the internet, smartphones, etc.
@mur2501 I know they choose colours and features for their sites and apps that keep users captivated (addicted).
But given recent scandals and revelations, I don’t understand why people don’t at least have doubts about Facebook or Twitter.
@maxmustermann @mur2501 This is clearly a matter you’ve given much thought to and have discussed before! That was a very detailed insight into some of my unanswered questions 👍🏻
@mur2501 I think people use different platforms depending upon their needs.
Facebook and Twitter are very different. If you want to stay in touch with friends and family you’ll join Facebook, not Twitter.