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When Bluesky opened its waitlist I applied for an invite, more out of curiosity than anything. Not being on any other social network I certainly wasn't looking for an alternative and it wasn't FOMO – I just wondered what they would do with it.

Fast forward to last night when my invite code arrived; I'd completely forgotten about it and I'm in two minds about what to do.

I stopped using the big social networks for a reason: the toxicity and bullshit got too much, any benefits were far outweighed by the negatives. I just didn't have the headspace to deal with it and haven't wanted to go back since.

I much prefer smaller, more intimate environments for direct connection. Yes, Bluesky is 'smaller' (currently about 2 million users) but the aim is to grow, especially once it opens up and is decentralised next year.

I had a quick look at the AT protocol earlier this year but not long enough to make any sense of it. I suspect I'll have the same reaction as with ActivityPub. In any event, implementing it is only worth it if interacting on the platform.

There are two common sense approaches:

1. I sign up, take a look and if I don't use it I've not lost anything, or

2. steer clear

Maybe, if I'm having to think about it this much I know which approach I should take.

Thanks to Dave Winer for his thoughts.