Ancestors

Written by Eugen Rochko on 2025-01-13 at 20:52

So, this has been in the works for a while, arguably most of last year. I intend to transfer my personal ownership of the Mastodon trademarks and assets, incl. copyright over my code, to the Mastodon non-profit, and transition to a different role at the organization.

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Written by Eugen Rochko on 2025-01-13 at 20:52

It is not easy, and I feel a lot of conflicting emotions writing about it, because Mastodon is so tightly intertwined with my identity and my sense of self-worth. I dedicated 8 years of my life to this cause that I care deeply about, in a role that you can never disconnect from.

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Toot

Written by Eugen Rochko on 2025-01-13 at 20:53

Mastodon grew beyond any of my expectations. I have always tried to push myself out of my comfort zone and grow to new challenges, but it has taken its toll over time. The past 2 years especially have been overwhelming, and my mental and physical health have taken a dip.

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Descendants

Written by Eugen Rochko on 2025-01-13 at 20:54

I would like to focus on the things about Mastodon that I have passion for, in a new, more product-oriented role, while leaving the business side of things to a new CEO. This is not immediate and will likely occur within the next 2-3 months.

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Written by Eugen Rochko on 2025-01-13 at 20:54

I don't have a very high opinion of myself as a CEO, and I always imagine where Mastodon might've been today if I wasn't a massive introvert, but I'd like to think there were redeeming qualities about my run, as well.

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Written by Eugen Rochko on 2025-01-13 at 20:54

Overall, it's an opportunity for me to regain some work-life balance, and for Mastodon as an organization to unlock its full potential and avoid some ego- and trademark-related pitfalls that other large open-source projects have recently experienced.

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Written by Carl Malamud on 2025-01-13 at 20:56

@Gargron Nice job on the transitioning to a nonprofit.

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Written by Veedems on 2025-01-13 at 20:59

@Gargron your leadership has made this place what it is and I hope that the incoming CEO will share the same values and objectives you’ve shared with us. While I know it can only grow if everyone is in the right position, I worry it’ll become a Mozilla situation where too much overhead is put in and the money becomes a larger priority.

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Written by Booteille on 2025-01-13 at 21:00

@Gargron Thanks a lot, Eugen, for taking this decision (because I think the whole project will grow thanks to that) and for everything you did during past years. Your work and dedication really helped to build what have been somehow a dream for most: a social network entitled with strong human values.

Good luck with the rest of your journey!

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Written by Vickie Gray on 2025-01-13 at 21:01

@Gargron I hope you are successful. As an introvert (and autistic) I find the business side of business hard, and I can’t imagine running something as valuable as Mastodon has become. Well played to get it to this point and to know when to pass it on.

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Written by :projetstodon: Shalien on 2025-01-13 at 21:02

@Gargron I won't be here today without your work. I , and hope others, will always think of you as the guy who created one of the many fediverse app and was able to stay humble and human. So thank you and I hope you will still hang around .

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Written by Comrade Weez on 2025-01-13 at 21:01

@Gargron Thank you for all the hard work you put into Mastodon, it is very much appreciated by hundreds of thousands. I wish you and your wife all peace and happiness.

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Written by Stacey Cornelius on 2025-01-13 at 21:02

@Gargron Thank you for everything you've done. I'm sure it wasn't an easy choice, but what you've done is deeply thoughtful and wise.

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Written by DrPs𝕐 :verified: :mastodon: on 2025-01-13 at 21:03

@Gargron 👍🏻

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Written by Parsingphase on 2025-01-13 at 21:04

@Gargron You've done us a great service in what you've built and that won't be forgotten. We've seen what happens when engineers burn out, and we've seen what happens when they try to stay in charge too long, and I think you're making a good choice for yourself, and in allowing Mastodon to fly free and develop further.

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Written by Sasha on 2025-01-13 at 21:06

@Gargron Thank you so much for the lovely product and an opportunity to grow healthy online communities ❤️

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Written by Conlan Spangler on 2025-01-13 at 21:06

@Gargron This all seems like a win for everyone. Thanks for your work and continued efforts to help Mastodon live up to its ideals.

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Written by Саша Морс, here we go again... on 2025-01-13 at 21:08

@Gargron this seems like a great move, and good time.

We become less effective the further we're stretched, especially in directions that are not our strengths.

I've been through this, I wish I had learned/admitted it earlier.

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Written by Tertia Wiedenhof on 2025-01-13 at 21:08

@Gargron thank you for everything you have done so far and happy that you still will play an important role. And good that you also prioritize balance and health, which is of vital importance for everyone.

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Written by Strght on 2025-01-13 at 21:11

@Gargron

Thanks a lot for all your energy and efforts to enable a new quality in social media. Chapeau.

Ownership and CEO role can be organized in two different steps.

On the CEO role Craig Newmark has something to say. Also the Signal Foundation has created a role model.

On the ownership Schibsted or Robert Bosch have established well working models.

If you would like to discuss options feel free to reach out. I would be happy to give something back.

(EMail see bio)

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Written by Daniel Marks on 2025-01-14 at 11:53

@strght @Gargron THIS. If there are people with experience on setting up these organizations, don't miss the opportunity to consult them and get things right from the start.

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Written by Mania Emma on 2025-01-15 at 08:48

@profdc9 @strght @Gargron +1

This is pure wisdom

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Written by Sean Boots on 2025-01-13 at 21:15

@Gargron Congrats and thank you for your work on this! 🙌

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Written by Chris Godwin on 2025-01-13 at 21:16

@Gargron If all the world's tech CEOs were more like you, the world would be a better place! Hope you find a new CEO who is still a lot like you

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Written by Frank Heijkamp on 2025-01-13 at 21:16

@Gargron Thank you very much for creating something that will last for a very long time. A way for people to interact without any party owning anything. Very much appreciated. Please enjoy your new role and have faith in your team, a great team is more than the sum of its parts.

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Written by Tristan Harward on 2025-01-13 at 21:16

@Gargron This is so incredibly and admirably self-aware and wise. Thank you again.

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Written by Anton on 2025-01-13 at 21:27

@Gargron hm, does it mean more wife and cats photos on film? 🤔

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Written by FallsMom 🟦 🌻 on 2025-01-13 at 21:32

@Gargron

Thanks for what you've done. . . when I landed here two years ago I really had no idea what it was all about. . . . . ! !! :mastodance:

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Written by Eric Carroll on 2025-01-13 at 21:34

@Gargron It takes fortitude & self-awareness to step aside as founder & bring in someone else to take on the business leadership role.

Its a hard step. Congratulations on taking it.

Piece of advice. Write down the values you want the new company to align to. Gain feedback from those you trust on them.

Use them in the hiring interview process to probe deeply for alignment.

Then think about what happens when you have a conflict & discover you are not values aligned after all.

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Written by social elephant in the room on 2025-01-13 at 21:38

@Gargron This was the right decision. You cannot please everyone (I did not agree with all your decisions) and everything that evolves around ethics must have took a toll on you. Better to let the new governance reflect on the hard ethical questions and handle the critics and focus on the topics that you find more interesting (more code oriented I believe).

Anyway, all that to say, thank you for your work and good luck.

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Written by BoneHouseWasps🔶🇬🇧🇪🇺 on 2025-01-13 at 21:38

@Gargron Thank you for giving us this. And the very best of luck for the future.

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Written by Jonathan Hartley on 2025-01-13 at 21:38

@Gargron 🤗

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Written by Confused Perro on 2025-01-13 at 21:38

@Gargron I want to say thank you for creating an alternative where I get my news and less-toxic banter.

It’s an amazing platform and totally understandable your decision.

You a Giga-Chad.

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Written by The Nexus of Privacy on 2025-01-13 at 21:44

@Gargron kudos to you for making this decision, I’m sure it wasn’t an easy one but it’s certainly the right path going forward!

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Written by kcarruthers on 2025-01-13 at 21:47

@Gargron thank you for doing this and for your vision. I originally joined mastodon back in 2017 and to see it now is like a miracle. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

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Written by Mark Pesce on 2025-01-13 at 21:47

@kcarruthers @Gargron

Ditto. It's a real jewel -- and you have done amazing work.

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Written by Alexander Bochmann on 2025-01-13 at 21:47

@Gargron Thank you for creating Mastodon and keeping it afloat and in active development over all these years.

I sincerely hope your organization can find a CEO who shares your values and doesn't do a Mozilla on Mastodon - and that this decision creates room for the software to explore new features for the Fediverse.

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Written by Jennifer on 2025-01-13 at 21:49

@Gargron thank you for creating this place and its awesome communities. As a fellow introvert I totally understand wanting to do more technical work you enjoy. The nonprofit sounds like a great plan, hope the transition is smooth!

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Written by Chris Trottier on 2025-01-13 at 22:02

@Gargron Dude, you did an amazing job. You’ve taken so much on your shoulders, and made one of the most bustling decentralized social media projects ever.

Congrats on your new role, and I know you’ll rock at it.

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Written by Dinah 🕊🇺🇦 on 2025-01-13 at 22:03

@Gargron Thank you for all you have done, Eugen!

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Written by James A Nielsen on 2025-01-13 at 22:04

@Gargron Eugen, I appreciate you and all the hard work you have done to make Mastodon a success, and look forward to your contributions in your new role. Mastodon should never have competitors, only collaborators, and I hope it will always stay that way.

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Written by alxhu (Leafy) 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ on 2025-01-13 at 22:07

@Gargron ❤️

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Written by spla :senyera: :fed: :vim: on 2025-01-13 at 22:07

@Gargron thank you for bringing us Mastodon and I wish you all the best.

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Written by Jordan Roher on 2025-01-13 at 22:08

@Gargron Thanks for being a good steward. I bought a Mastodon plushie in, uh, celebration.

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Written by Chtixof 🦊🚲 on 2025-01-13 at 22:25

@Gargron So wise. Thanks for the incredible job you did. You made Mastodon take root. I hope that with this decision you will find some zenitude.

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Written by Simon Carswell on 2025-01-13 at 22:28

@Gargron I migrated here from X when Musk took over, ie essentially for a negative reason, but I've found this place to be a much pleasanter environment, as well as having a superior ownership model. What I didn't expect was to discover that the CEO could write such a candid, self-aware and balanced account of why he was moving on. So, thanks for all you have done, good luck in your new role, and may Mastodon continue to go from strength to strength.

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Written by Corey Taylor on 2025-01-13 at 22:31

@Gargron Congrats, Eugen. You did the right thing, and I'm hoping you inspire WordPress.org and other similar critical #OSS projects to move in this same direction next, too.

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Written by Beteykin on 2025-01-13 at 22:35

@Gargron В этих сетях главное не потерять себя...

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Written by Frazer on 2025-01-13 at 22:45

@Gargron Thats why you are the GOAT!!!

You will always be loved man, and still are. Glad you will finally have more time to yourself!

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Written by tuban_muzuru on 2025-01-13 at 22:50

@Gargron

It's a truly noble thing you do, here. We don't often get to use that word but it's the only one which works.

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Written by Muddy :linux: :fediverse: on 2025-01-13 at 23:01

@Gargron Thanks for your hard work, and for what you have done for all of us. You have built something amazing here.

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Written by Jérémie Gaven on 2025-01-13 at 22:55

@Gargron thanks a lot for all of this !

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Written by Andrew Boardman on 2025-01-13 at 23:26

@Gargron Thank you for creating a sustainable and thoughtful product and letting it grow in a sustainable and thoughtful manner. Mastodon is a rare work of digital artistry.

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Written by TheStrangelet :bc: on 2025-01-13 at 23:35

@Gargron All I can say is thank you! The fact that a vibrant, federated, viable, micro-blogging platform exists brings so much joy to so many people around the world. You deserve balance in your life, and to focus on the the work that you find most rewarding.

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Written by Jared “Indie Social Web” White on 2025-01-13 at 23:40

@Gargron massive respect. I'm sure this was a hard decision to arrive at. I work in open source but the scale of the projects I maintain are tiny in comparison to Mastodon, so I can only imagine the pressure you've been under.

I'm excited about the possibilities of what lies ahead. 🫡✌️

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Written by chiasm on 2025-01-13 at 23:43

@Gargron It is impossible for me to express how much I respect your work on this, your commitment, what you have sacrificed for it, and I can only wish you all of the best. I hope you find a place where you can recover and restore yourself!!

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Written by Crowjane on 2025-01-13 at 23:44

@Gargron

I appreciate all you’ve done and look forward to your next projects.

Thank you , I know that @JohnMastodon is proud of the work you’ve done, as we all should be.

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Written by Ric on 2025-01-14 at 00:06

@Gargron you've created one of the most important social networks so far, and brought it into public focus. You've introduced millions of people to ActivityPub, whether they chose to use Mastodon or not. You've done this at just the right time for people to have somewhere to jump ship to from other networks, while those networks shift their attention towards politics & corporate greed. And now you're deciding to hand over because you've reached your limit.

That's being a great CEO. Be proud. 👍

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Written by Cybarbie on 2025-01-14 at 00:24

@Gargron Another pineapple on pizza hater 😂

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Written by Son of a Sailor on 2025-01-14 at 01:00

@Gargron Good for you for looking out for yourself. And thank you for creating a viable alternative to algorithm-driven social networks.

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Written by David Hopeward on 2025-01-14 at 01:07

@Gargron

I’ve been very happy with what you’ve created, and you have certainly kept a more even keel on the thing than many might have. Thanks for all that work!

You deserve a good work/life balance at this point. I hope it keeps improving for you, even if it’s somewhat painful at this moment.

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Written by Urban Hermit on 2025-01-14 at 01:08

@Gargron thanks for personally protecting it as long as you have.

And I just wanted to add, thanks for how easily the "block" feature works. I don't have to tolerate anyone being unpleasant nor do I have to get an admin involved. They don't see me anymore, and I don't see them, and I can let that shit go without even trying to get the last word or waste time defending myself. If it wasn't for this feature I'm not sure I could stay on social media.

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Written by Jeri Dansky on 2025-01-14 at 03:06

@Gargron I hope you take immense pride in this wonderful thing you've created and nurtured — and which I'm so thankful for, every day. I can only imagine the personal toll that being the CEO has taken, and I'm glad you've found a thoughtful way to move forward.

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