Twitter was never a healthy "public square" for most of us. Let's not rewrite history while eulogizing the hellsite.
Twitter was a frightening battleground where we managed barely to claw out an uneasy existence amidst the worst violent neo-Nazi extremists who constantly published our home addresses, threatened our kids' lives, and sent hordes of racist trolls into our mentions.
The same principles that allowed us to survive uneasily on Twitter will be required here in the #fediverse. Community defense, thoughtful pressure on moderation policies, and eternal vigilance.
There are no safe spaces but those we make safe through constant effort. We keep us safe.
Strange, I've been on the Birdsite for years, and never had this problem, even though I was/still am publishing political stuff. Any that did were promptly blocked. You folks must practice poor security if you were doxxed that easily. How do you folk function in public, or do most of you live comfortable middle class lives?!
@blaine @chadloder @marathon0 I had to block many people on Twitter. Truly toxic and abusive people. Attack trolls I would call them. If you were not subject to this you were very fortunate.
O I was but that even happens IRL. Just block them and move on. Fortunately my followers would back me up too, that helps emotionally. I'm a little older and have been through life. None of the abuse really had me worried, but then I'm used to living and going about my business in a rough area.
@marathon0 @chadloder @blaine "you folk". Right.