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There's a difference between Capitalism and Commerce.

"Commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services, and humans have been doing that for a long time, long before capitalism existed. Capitalism is an economic system that relies on exploitation to function."

So how do people feel about Commerce on the Fediverse?

@rasterweb Every small business and independent creator, consultant, contractor, or side-hustler needs a social network in order to let people know they exist. Whether we like it or not, we have to talk about ourselves and let people know what we’re doing - it’s the gateway into someone visiting our website or signing up for a newsletter. Most days it’s a desperate scramble to make a sustainable income. 🧵

@alpenglow 100%... I had set up a Fediverse account for my own business on a server that has since disappeared (oops!) but I wanted to keep it separate from my own account.

I don't want corporate brands here but for small indie people/businesses (artists, makers, etc.) I love seeing what they do and I think those folks (you included!) walk a fine line of being good netizens and not being annoying advertising.

But yes, the "choosing not to follow" is a huge pro on the Fediverse!

Alpenglow Industries

@rasterweb Yeah, the choice to separate or not is a tough one and different for different people. For me, it came down to the bare truth that I am my business. My business isn’t all of me, but when I spend 95% of my waking minutes working on it and thinking about it, that’s what I’m going to post under. My name is in the profile, it’s super easy to find out more about me, I’m not worried about being faceless. And I’ll just post an occasional cat photo here anyway. 😂

@alpenglow In case you didn't know I do think you're awesome and what you do is awesome.

And yes, I think *you* are the business, to some degree, and you engage, boost good stuff, and have never crossed the line into crass commercialism.

Cheers! Keep up the good work. 😀

@rasterweb @alpenglow fwiw I will always be happy to meet the people making things and see their work here in the fediverse, whether that work is for sale or not.

Where I loose interest is when layers of abstraction are introduced (brands, companies, etc.).

I like to talk to people, not things. 😁

@requiem @rasterweb Same! I like to learn a little bit about the people I support. And I’ve been able to meet so many of the friends I initially made here and in that other place way back when, it’s been awesome, and interactions here are fully a part of my real actual life.

@rasterweb Thank you! 💕 (as I coincidentally post something commerce-related 😆).