If the fediverse is shedding users, it’s because we still haven’t figured out a better way to explain federation other than “it’s like email”, the process of choosing an instance is vague and daunting, the process of moving to a new instance is vague and daunting, and people instance-police incessantly, creating a feeling that you have to choose the correct instance. That, plus the pervasive misogyny that rears its ugly head every once in a while.

I promise you though, people being “unwelcoming” by using silly terms is not why the fediverse is shedding users.