this post was submitted on 03 Apr 2025
959 points (98.4% liked)
Fediverse memes
1209 readers
524 users here now
Memes about the Fediverse.
Rules
General
- Be respectful
- Post on topic
- No bigotry or hate speech
Specific
- We are not YPTB. If you have a problem with the way an instance or community is run, then take it up over at !yepowertrippinbastards@lemmy.dbzer0.com.
- Addendum: Yes we know that you think ml/hexbear/grad are tankies and or .world are a bunch of liberals but it gets old quickly. Try and come up with new material.
Elsewhere in the Fediverse
Other relevant communities:
- !fediverse@lemmy.world
- !yepowertrippinbastards@lemmy.dbzer0.com
- !lemmydrama@lemmy.world
- !fediverselore@lemmy.ca
- !bestofthefediverse@lemmy.ca
- !de_ml@lemmy.blahaj.zone
- !fedigrow@lemm.ee
founded 6 months ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
So people also use the term "news provider"? What about "email channel"? This argument falls apart fairly quickly with any level of scrutiny.
The English language has connotations. Certain words are more likely to be paired with others due to cultural or historical reasons. "Instance" has a medical and technical connotation; and Lemmy is a technology (software). News is not technical, so it is unlikely (but still correct) to use the word "instance" with it.
Email is more of a service than a technology, so due to connotation, it is often paired with "provider". However, "email instance" is still a completely correct phrase.
Once again, we should not be calling fundamentals of the English language "gatekeeping". This is how you get widespread ignorance and shitty communities.
P.S. Also, your "no one outside of Lemmy" argument is also just wrong. Invidious, Redlib, and other frontends refer to themselves as instances. Bluesky calls itself an instance. And it is very common to use the term for weather services as well.
News meant newsgroup like Usenet. And yes, provider is fine.
That you could use a different word doesn't mean you should. You aren't adding any nuance. The word instance isn't more precise or specific in any way. It is simply jargon.