It’s smaller, but more personable. It’s full of neurodivergent, queer, and tech oriented people. It has its own inside jokes—you will want to read up on beans.

Overall, I have enjoyed the experience. Sometimes, I have been surprised when people can’t detect obvious jokes or sarcasm, but then I remember how many people here are neurodivergent and try to reply with something kind and straightforward so we’re on the same page.

People tend to be very leftist compared to the rest of the internet, so it’s good to remember that the opinions here are not always representative of the world at large.

A huge chunk of Lemmy is German, and that part of the community remains a total mystery to me because I don’t speak German. They seem cool from afar.

Which communities you are able to see depends pretty heavily on which instance is your home base—I’m with DB0, and we federate with pretty much everyone who isn’t doing something detestably illegal, but LemmyWorld is much more exclusive with who they federate with, so their users don’t see the same instances that I do. Pick a home instance that fits you best because it will matter a lot as you find communities.

You will see interactions between communists and anarchists. Try to remember that you don’t have to comment on everything you might disagree with.

Welcome to the Fediverse—we’re happy to have you.