yeah mob basically explained it

lemmy is the code, which wolfballs runs. lemmy.ml also runs the same code, and they do a lot of developing for it. it's open source so anyone can run it, and contribute to the project.

so there are like 50 sites (instances) that run using the lemmy code: https://join-lemmy.org/instances

another site that has more of a wolfballs attitude is exploding-heads.com

because of federation, when people post here or over there (exploding heads), some of the posts basically like post to that other instance as well (it enables both audiences to have conversations with each other). lemmy.ml blocked wolfballs and wolfballs has done likewise in response (LOL).