Maybe this is a dumb question. I've always been a lurker on social media, but I really want to help the Fediverse grow, and I've never been sure of how to engage with social media communities without feeling like I'm not contributing anything of value. What types of posts/comments/interactions are most needed on the Fediverse? Also, what are some tips on becoming less nervous to interact online? Sorry if this isn't the right community to post to, wasn't sure where to ask this.

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[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

I’m imagining downvotes more for suppressing trolling, aggressive, or all around unconstructive posts/comments

Yes, this is the usual rationale, and I won't question that you personally use them like this. In practice though, I'd say it's more like 90% for simply disagreeing, where "wrong" opinions may be rationalized post-hoc as the adjectives you use. All of which creates an atmosphere of toxicity for dissenters and stultifying conformism for everyone else. Humans are social creatures, it's not nice to be told to shut up, that one's carefully expressed opinion is worthless, and so in practice people with divergent views are just going to go elsewhere. Personally, I don't see the point of "exchanging" with bunch of people you already agree with down the line. But experience of social media has taught me that I'm pretty unusual. Alas.