After writing my previous post on Dipping my toes into the Fediverse, I’ve been rolling it around in my mind. I think a lot of the issue is on my end more than the technology.

Specifically, this quote from Babylon 5 came to mind:

Ambassador Londo Mollari: My shoes are too tight.
Vir Cotto: Excuse me?
Ambassador Londo Mollari: Something my father said. He was old, very old at the time. I went into his room, and he was sitting alone in the dark crying. So, I asked him what was wrong, and he said, "My shoes are too tight. But, it doesn't matter, because I have forgotten how to dance." I never understood what that meant until now. My shoes are too tight. And, I have forgotten how to dance.
Vir Cotto: I don't understand.
Ambassador Londo Mollari: Nor should you.

I wonder if, sitting there in the dark room of my Fediverse node, my shoes are just too tight. I’m not old, but in the tech field anyone not in their 20’s has dealt with such tumultuous change in their careers that it’s a wonder any of us stick around. My instance is empty, and I don’t have anyone to really invite to it or follow. I’m and old curmudgeon at least partially stuck in my ways.

But perhaps it doesn’t matter, because this technology IS exciting and it IS going to make the web a better place. It might just happen without me, because I’ve forgotten how to dance. Or maybe this is just an indicator that I need to double down and learn more, get more involved. There’s just too much cool stuff out there to decide none of it is for me.

Here’s the scene in question: