Hello everyone, new user living in Northside Indianapolis but a lifelong Midwesterner that doesn’t plan on leaving. I’ve been concerned with the trends on Reddit for years now since u/spez has been trying to make as much money off the platform as they can. The recent silencing of noncompliant users for opinions on what is supposed to be an open forum was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me.

I am a firm patriot to the actual ideals of the U.S. and believe economic system should not be tied into it’s governing documents as any kind of argument from the wealthy elites controlling the country and the media. The best system for all the people is the best system for the country whether its “Capitalist” or “socialist” or something else. The foundation of the country is a free, open, Democratic Republic not locked to one economic scheme and right now only the leftists seem to be trying anything like that.

Long time deep thinker on civics, political ideology, systems of all types (controls, engineering, human). And how they should best function. A big passion for history. Love gaming of all types, sci-fi and fantasy nerd. Will take a strong opinion and debate about anything for the fun of it as long as it stays intellectual and not an emotional topic.

Looking to start actually being involved in community both here online and in the local area as well and this seemed the place to be. More than willing to discuss anything I said here and would love recommendations for communities.

Hi all, I’m from the greater St. Louis area. I’m a queer, nerodivergent guy (he/him) looking for a more local internet. I’ve sorta been in college for a couple years now for multimedia and web development. It’s had to be put on the back burner as of late for my mental health. I love art, games, music, and a bunch of dorky stuff. I work in home with people with intellectual disabilities and I didn’t know that I could love a job so much. On of my favourite quotes is “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” (Albert Camus) and if you were to ever see me in person I think that’s a good summary of the vibe I give haha.

From Chicago. I made the plunge to Mastodon (and here) after the Reddit shenanigans and just seeing the repeated bad-faith policies by Twitter. I have been using redirector and libredirect for the last month or two to actively decide who I give my data to just as a fun experiment into best practices.

I think it’s slowly starting to be clear that this type of setup will be the way forward for the more tech-savvy, privacy-focused users, and hopefully/eventually it hits the mainstream as well, but otherwise, it’s just self-selecting into the type of people I want to be around, which will probably be better for my mental health anyways.

I’m into cycling, trading, sci-fi and FOSS. Currently reading The Expanse and taking a sabbatical year from work

Edit: Just want to encourage people to engage w/ and create content over the next few weeks. Activity and friendly faces are probably the most determining factor in whether someone becomes an active user or just browses for a few minutes

Sup nerds. I’m Miah, I’m from Western Michigan. I’m a UNIX/Linux nerd, Right to Repair advocate, and transgender woman. I’ve been working on our cars by myself and would love to make some car nerd friends. My wife and I have 24 chickens, and a budding garden.

Hey all, I live in Wisconsin and am exploring moving over from Mastodon because I like the Reddit-style interface better than Twitter-style. Like probably most here, I’m a tech nerd who is forever trying to get people away from the centralized internet.

Good morning, midwestern Lemmites! Actually a Hexbear refugee, I got banned when they found out I organize with Trotskyists. Don’t worry though, my IRL organizing work creates enough personal irritation that I don’t need to harass people who disagree with me in order to get it. I’m just here cuz its a leftish space of localish people, who post memes and stories I can comment on. I like Music, art, videogames, tech, books (history, social theory, sci fi)…well I actually have too many hobbies and interests to list. Thanks for letting me in your little instance!

Hi there. Iowan leftist fleeing the mainstream platforms to help my mental health. Feeling disillusioned with national political action and wanting to focus my attention locally. I’m and avid gardener, war-gamer/mini painter, and forever D&D GM.

Hi, I’m in Central Illinois. Reddit doesn’t let me make accounts anymore… they want email addresses and I want privacy.

From a Wisconsin Exurb of the Twin Cities. I am an astronomer and instrumentation physicist, most of my day job is debugging software and electronics. But sometimes it is looking at galaxies and exoplanets. I am getting back into running after an injury and am currently reading about political economics.

Greetings! My name is Matt and I live in Indianapolis. I’m migrating over from a single-user instance. You can also find me over at @leopardboy@netmonkey.xyz. Thanks!

Hi y’all! I’m from Indiana. Nice to meet you all!

Really Don’t know how to introduce myself as an anon. I guess I live in ohio. Won’t say where. I don’t really have any other social media, I think it’s all kinda a psyop now. Flesh simulator has a good youtube video about how reddit is a giant psyop. So i’m barely online. I don’t watch tv, i stay away from chambers of influence. I think Tik Tok purposely pulled a facebook and got Drumpf elected. I am a leftist, F off if you don’t like that.

Howdy folks - comrade here in Northern Chicago. New to Lemmy so if I do something wrong I’m sorry bout that.

I’m fairly involved in mutual aid, so if you feel like you need some help with getting started please feel free to message me. I can recommend groups in chi / cinci or help research groups in your area.

As Seahorse aptly mentions in the first pinned post - now is the time for organizing! As long as we don’t give into despair we got this!

hi from Peoria, IL. Been here about 6 months and just found the docs, lol. Thanks to all you admin types driving. Good times.

Lemmy docs

Just joined. Also, transitioning away from Reddit. From Pittsburgh (hence yinzer in my user name), then DC area for @ a decade, & last 2 decades in a state run by folks who think the Desantis nuttery is worth emulating. Lefty, divorced dad of 2, who I’m glad inherited the don’t sit by quietly but stand up against bullies from their parents.

Nature is my go-to self-care & main hobbies. Nature photography & hiking, nature documentaries, learning about the regions native flora, fauna, geology, & environmental degradation, etc.