I can’t say I’ve been using Lemmy for long, but from the get-go it seems that the communities, memes, opinions that get upvoted seem to reflect left-wing ideas.

I’m certainly not complaining, it honestly feels like a breathe of fresh air compared to other social media sites that seem to shift further and further to the far right, though I am curious to hear why this might be the case? Does FOSS tend to attract more left-wing minded people, or does this just happen to be a broadly left-wing microcosm/bubble?

Hope you all have a great day.

  • Andy@slrpnk.net
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    6 months ago

    A lot of people have pointed out inherent ideological components of this platform, but I would also suggest that the lean is likely in part from network effects.

    How did each of us find our way here? Someone likely mentioned the platform on another social site, or linked a meme, or shared other content.

    If the site has lots of left leaning content that gets shared by left leaning people in places where such people gather, it’s going to bais the new arrivals in a similar direction. This is true of most social spaces, I think. And it’s good! I want right wingers to hang out in right wing spaces like Twitter, just like I want them to hang out at their own bars and clubs, away from me.

    • SentientFishbowl@lemmy.mlOP
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      6 months ago

      To be honest this is why I asked! I came across this platform through a source that I would consider much further right wing than my personal politic views. I was expecting a cesspit, and I was pleasantly surprised to find the opposite :)

      • Andy@slrpnk.net
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        6 months ago

        That’s fascinating.

        Well, I guess these things are complicated.