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.
Eugen Rochko's Post
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Eugen Rochko
In response to this postIt 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.
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.
by Eugen Rochko ;
@Gargron It must be hard. Are you willing / able to share why?
by Vickie Gray ;
@Gargron
Thank you. You are an amazing person and we owe you a huge debt of gratitude for your incredible selfless work in creating and running this wonderful social media platform. You have made a very positive difference in the world. You should be very proud.
by Mastodon Migration ;
@Gargron congratulations and thank you for your work!
by Kat O’Brien ;
@Gargron Your child is growing up and getting a life of its own. It's always painful on some level and many parents have a part of themselves that just wish the child would never grow up. But it can only prosper if you allow it more and more autonomy until it builds relationships with other people that will be just as strong or perhaps even stronger than yours. It's beautiful too.
by malte ;
@Gargron
having personally gone through burn out (with digestive tract issues i'll probably have the rest of my life), i can tell you that tying your self-image to your work is definitely not healthy or sustainable.
you've built something valuable and there is now an org pushing it forward. time for you to do some self-care and reflection and figure out how things work for you. get to a place where your happiness and self-image aren't "how did coding/work go today" and you'll be much more able to get back to coding because that's something you love and enjoy, not because without coding you feel like nothing.
by Paul_IPv6 ;
@Gargron I found your last move commendable, if painful (for now)
In the end leadership rotation counts as decentralization too, which is mastodon's goal.
Thank you for all the work, and new opportunities will come, certainly.
by nonlinear ;
@Gargron Just don't hand things to a closet Dorsey and things may work out 🤞 👍 ☺️
by quixote ;
@Gargron
👍🧡
by Jele ;
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Nick's world 🌎
In response to this post@Gargron I'll ask, how will this affect users in any way? Will things continue to be accessible? will it be possible to do this while keeping the integrity of this platform whole?
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Andy_S_64🏴
In response to this post@Gargron thank you for everything you’ve done for all of us.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Super Nintendo Chalmers
In response to this post@Gargron there is no question you are doing the right thing. So long as the organization as a whole sticks to the principles it will grow from here. Thanks for everything you’ve done.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Michael Santaly
In response to this post@Gargron Appreciate you doing this! I know you get a lot of shit, and those that regularly serve it you probably aren’t even going to acknowledge how difficult a decision this, but you do deserve a lot of credit for it
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Lee from Colorado
In response to this post@Gargron passing the torch and changing roles is always hard. And critical for any project to succeed long term.
Good for you for both seeing the need and for doing it.
Deep bow.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Leo Ringqvist
In response to this post@Gargron 🙏🏻💛
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Stedi :bassguitar:🎸🎼🐦🚴
In response to this post@Gargron
Really appreciate your work, just donated a small amount today to the project. Keep up the good work and I hope you'll find a balance between work and other life!
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Ronan
In response to this post@Gargron Wishing you, and Mastodon too of course, all the best with this. And thank you!
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Botolo
In response to this post@Gargron We thank you for the wonderful work you have done so far, and for the brave step you are undertaking, both transferring ownership and on leaving someone else being the CEO of Mastodon. It takes courage and we admire you for this.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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kat
In response to this post@Gargron as a long time user of the software since the first releases I'm looking forward to your return to engineering.. 😀.
And the transfer of ownership and copyright is a powerful move.
X
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Tim Stickland
In response to this post@Gargron
Thank you, on so many levels Thank You.
You have done something amazing and admirable.
You've looked after Mastodon, now time to look after you and yours.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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JagroNL
In response to this post@Gargron seems like a wise and logical next step that involves great modesty. Thank you for your great work and dedication. Wishing you will be able to enjoy your new role.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Pedro Machado Santa
In response to this post@Gargron Massive respect Eugen! And thank you for your work. We continue forward together! 🐘
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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David Dunphy
In response to this post@tinygirl I'm still waiting for the day that transfer of a social media platform, decentralized or not, to someone else, has ever resulted in much good for us as blind/disabled users. Hope this won't make people all run to Bluesky now. I just got comfortable
Mentions: @tinygirl@mstdn.social
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Mary Hilton
In response to this post@Gargron Thank you for your excellent leadership.
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jan maria ullrich
In response to this post@Gargron i guess we can't anyhow thank you enough for scraping this environment and being the good person you obviously are, eugen. take a cookie, good person on the internet! 🍪
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Chris 👾
In response to this post@Gargron 🫡
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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joene 🏴🍉
In response to this post@Gargron Courageous decision. Thanks!
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Bloodaxe
In response to this post@Gargron I am truly grateful for all the work you've done to increase the usage of the #ActivityPub protocol.
There is no arguing that without your leadership and your dedication, we would not be where we are today. As a society, I believe it is paramount that we take control of the #PublicSquare back to the people in a #Decentralized manner, and #Mastodon has been a MASSIVE push in that direction.
Thank you Eugen, I'm glad you exist and I appreciate your work 😃
#Grateful
Tags: #activitypub #publicsquare #decentralized #mastodon #grateful
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Louis Ingenthron
In response to this post@Gargron Letting go for the betterment of the whole is hard, but it's also brave and extremely admirable.
You could have gone the iron-fisted route, but instead you chose to secure your legacy as a champion of the people.
We see the sacrifice and we very much appreciate it.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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kcarruthers
In response to this post@Gargron 👏🤗🥰
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Maarten Pelgrim
In response to this post@Gargron You're a good man Eugen, thanks.
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Ollie Francis
In response to this post@Gargron Thank you for all you have done. ♥️
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Fred
In response to this post@Gargron Respekt für diesen starken Schritt und Danke für den Blick auf's große Ganze.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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René Moser (resmo) レネ
In response to this post@Gargron fabulous move.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Ben Ptacek
In response to this post@Gargron Thanks for all your work on this and making a hard, but needed, decision for yourself and community.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Dave Peck
In response to this post@Gargron 🙏
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Dan McAlister
In response to this post@Gargron I think that’s very admirable, and speaks well of your values. I hope this change is positive for you and Mastodon both.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Greengordon
In response to this post@Gargron
🫡
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Davide Genco
In response to this post@Gargron Internet as a whole is going through hard times nowadays. I wonder if there’s a way to volunteer in the Mastodon community as a UX/UI designer, I really think this model must be protected. I really respect your choice, sending my full support.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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ꓤ uɐᗡ :verified_hellion:
In response to this post@Gargron thank you for your vision, leadership, and this amazing app full of awesome people 🤩 :fediverse:
:plushtodon_red: :plushtodon_orange: :plushtodon_yellow: :plushtodon_green: :plushtodon_cyan: :plushtodon_blue: :plushtodon_lavendar: :plushtodon_pink:
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Bruce Elrick
In response to this post@Gargron
Resisting the easy decision to retain the mantle of Benevolent Dictator for Life is admirable and, I imagine, difficult since you probably have a lot more ideas for the direction of Mastodon.
Letting others work and learn to take over that role, in a more distributed fashion, is good for the long-term viability of the software.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Drip drip drip…
In response to this post@Gargron
I must say that there is never a dull moment in the #fediverse . This place is alive and exiting, oven never been more happier to leave walled social media behind.
Tags: #fediverse
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Benji Mauer
In response to this post@Gargron consider, perhaps, a #cooperative? Plenty of people here such as @ntnsndr who could be good thought partners.
Thank you for being so instrumental in the creation of this space, and for pursuing community over profit. I’m so grateful for it!
Tags: #cooperative
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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ꙮ liilliil 🇫🇯🇱🇨🇱🇧
In response to this post@Gargron Женя молодец!
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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iveyline
In response to this post@Gargron Thanks a million for all you have done
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Callalily
In response to this post@Gargron
What you've created here is amazing. Thank you. I wish you all the best in your next chapter in life. 🤗
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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lukaabsch 🏞🌬♥️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️💋
In response to this post@Gargron take care. And thank you for your building. Its a great start. I have seen it growing when not much was going on, but now it is quite active here.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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MilElder
In response to this post@Gargron https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/13/24342603/mastodon-non-profit-ownership-ceo-eugen-rochko
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Jorge Bejarano
In response to this post@Gargron thank you for your hard work. The community that exists today, the movement and the option of a decentralized social network would never come to existence without you.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Jake :verified_twtr: :nonazis:
In response to this post@Gargron thank you for everything you’ve done and i hope everything goes well
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Dane Deasy
In response to this post@Gargron you’re the man
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Sibshops
In response to this post@Gargron 🫡
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Andrew Wedlake
In response to this post@Gargron Congratulations on developing and implementing such an amazing vision for Mastodon. I imagine that it's a bittersweet moment for you, like sending your kids to school on the first day.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Peter Maro :verified:
In response to this post@Gargron Quite big moves! Thank you for your dedication to Mastodon and for laying the groundwork for a stronger future. Excited to see what’s next for you and the platform!"
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Felipe Espinosa C.
In response to this post@Gargron thanks a lot.
Greetings from Chile, the best country of Chile 🇨🇱
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Sanjay
In response to this post@Gargron What a selfless act. Thank you!
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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David Palmer
In response to this post@Gargron Thank you for all of your work and sacrifice!
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Doug Nix
In response to this post@Gargron Thank you for all your hard work. I look forward to the next chapter in your contributions!
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Chery (Great Australian Pods)
In response to this post@Gargron 🏆
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Bobo_PK 🦄
In response to this post@Gargron thank you for all your work. :anarchoheart1:
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Kai Pelzel
In response to this post@Gargron Thank you for your work! ❤️
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Dr. Jürgen Knödlseder
In response to this post@Gargron Thanks for all you have done to make Mastodon happen and your visionary and humble move to keep it alive and kicking.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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billy joe bowers - hates nazis
In response to this post@Gargron
Thank you. Hero.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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JohnnyThan
In response to this post@Gargron
Thank you. 💚
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Stefano Zacchiroli
In response to this post@Gargron kudos!
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Diogo Constantino
In response to this post@Gargron this must be certainly something hard to do.
Speaking (obviously) for myself, and as an user of your software, I support and applaud your decision, this is the right thing to do.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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tinderness
In response to this post@Gargron I am proud to be part of Mastodon!
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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The Alchemist
In response to this post@Gargron you're one of the good guys! After being off social media for awhile, I found Mastodon and you built something kinder and better.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Beachbum
In response to this post@Gargron TY from the bottom of my heart. I had already left Twitter months before and did not know what I was going to do because I left Facebook after the CA debacle. I have been in emotional bliss since joining Mastodon. Had I known about it I would’ve been here sooner.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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J9C :arcgis: :python: :osm:
In response to this post@Gargron thank you 🙏🏽
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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Goose
In response to this post@Gargron Thank you for your work. Hope to see more of your photography and hope that you have a lot less stress in the future.
Mentions: @Gargron@mastodon.social
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