There is a known strategy called EEE (Embrace, extend, and extinguish).

First, they embrace the open web. Millions of people who never would’ve joined the Fediverse (and, probably, don’t even know what the Fediverse is) flock to Threads and start to interact with us.

Then, they extend the open web, adding features to Threads that aren’t compatible with our servers. People on Threads don’t understand what’s wrong with our server (even though it’s Threads that’s the source of incompatibility).

Finally, they decide they’re “having trouble maintaining compatibility with third party servers” and start to break off from us, leaving us with no way to interact with our new friends. Unless, of course, we make a free Threads account…

Google Talk is perhaps the most relevant example of this. Here’s more details.

That’s not stupidity though, that’s malice, which is a whole different tub of bananas.

I have long believed that the only stupid question is the one that hasn’t been asked.

I feel it’s better to ask the question (and feel stupid for a few minutes) than to remain stupid for the rest of my life. :)

It’s already making things hard. Unless you live in a cave (and even if you do, quite probably, IDK) you’ll have noticed an increase in the frequency of what’s euphemistically called “extreme weather events”. These things are bad for us, but even worse for crops, and they’re going to keep on getting worse.

You appear to be missing an arm. Here, take this one instead: \

Browser made by an advertising company doesn’t like ad blockers. Gif at eleven.

This is amazing. I’m definitely introducing my smol partner this way, as a joke, at least once. :)