Supplemental Question: This is my first post on Lemmy, and the responses have me wanting to clarify something- Is everyone on this platform fucking mental?

No, but the fediverse has a good portion of the crazier parts of the left wing (and they are very vocal). If it bothers you, go heavy on blocking the worst offenders and you’ll find that most lemmings are pretty chill. We’re “just” nuts enough stray from the mainstream platforms where most normies hang out.

I for one look forward to the day when I can recommend the fediverse to at least my left-wing friends w/o them questioning my sanity.