[lmm]

> The instance timeline isn't a "community", it's just a particular filter applied to the global timeline.

Defaults matter. Usability matters. If that particular filter is the one that the community uses to communicate with each other, then who's included or excluded from that filter becomes very relevant.

[kixiQu]

While I agree with the principles of what you're saying, the facts are a bit off here: the instance timeline isn't the default, and the lead dev has tried to nerf it a lot in many ways – I think it doesn't even show up in the official iOS app? Also, anything posted "to the instance timeline" also shows up in federated timelines if you follow the poster, unless you're running a fork allowing "local-only" posting.

One can always drop by https://mastovue.glitch.me every so often to tour the local TLs of instances in the neighborhood (https://www.comeetie.fr/galerie/mapstodon/) to see if there's anyone worth following.