The Overgoddess

Dear admins, mods, and modmins... Alas, the same "open registration" instances are used over and over again to harass and troll the fedi. Yes, we understand the arguments for allowing open registration. But tbh? We find those arguments unconvincing given the abuse we see. The fedi has a serial troll / spammer problem and open registration contributes to its continuation. Offering them the means to register and immediately harass people makes for a less friendly fediverse, not a more friendly one. Reviewing a "reason for joining" before approving an account is not too much to ask. If it is, then we respectfully suggest that the instance has either too many members or too few moderators. When an instance becomes a go-to for trolls because it offers instant access, that instance creates work for every other federated instance, makes fedizens into victims, and feeds the trolls' need for attention. That there is such a simple solution (manual approval / vibe check) is kind of infuriating at times. We know that this plea / request will not convince those driven by growth and open registration no matter the cost to the fedi community. But if we convince at least one open registration instance to switch to screened approvals, we will consider it a win. Lastly: If you're on an open reg instance, we suggest POLITELY asking your admin / mods to change their policy. #fedi #FediMods #FediModerator #FediAdmin

Modmins, it might be time to review ur accounts panel. Some of the more reg serial spammers and bigots are on school holiday or something. We smooshed a few more of the "just five" accounts from Linux is Best, cleared some fediblock spammers. Seems some boys just can't stand being ignored. Also reached out to some instances to ask them their plan for handing the recent spam from their ends. We still think the best plan is not allowing automatic reg. #FediMod #FediModerator #FediAdmin

tiago@femboy.enterprises has been banned for consent violations. This individual is wholesale scraping the fedi and chooses not to respect consent because "no one ever consents." That's... a concerning reason to ignore consent to us. We believe consent is affirmative, not assumed. Consent: An affirmative YES. Not consent: Most anything else. Are we crystal? We will look into way to block their reach. admin@toot.io, is there a way we can block them from indexing instances u host who haven't opted in? #fediblock #DataScraper #AI #TechBro @keith@bookstodon.com https://bookstodon.com/@keith/117085275218189650

The Speakeasy has banned the following accounts for targeted harassment and bigotry: NetscapeNavigator(at)vivaldi.net Linux(at)mastodon.com.pl As the Overgoddess of the Speakeasy and Protectrix of the Speakeasers, we try our best to be logical and methodical when deciding whether to act. We attempt to look at comments or posts in their best light, knowing that communication on the Internet is an imperfect art. We are willing to offer forgiveness where we feel it warranted. It is not warranted here. These accts posted a list of all of the "Gaza Verified" accounts on the Fedi, calling for a ban of the "scammers." They offered no real evidence, and no sources except appeals to their own authority as "Meta / Facebook" employees. We find it difficult to believe that they can provide evidence that all of the 300+ accounts they list are scammers. This violates our rules against harassment and warrants a ban on its own. We also find that whatever they've said in opposition to genocide, their decision to harass victims of genocide speak louder. Becaise of that, they are also violating our rules against bigotry. There is a possibility that there are scam accounts that slipped through the verification process. However, even if ALL of the accounts were later determined to be scammers (unlikely), our ban would stand because the offending accounts' actions were not based on evidence, but vibes and bigotry. @mynameistillian@plush.city @aral@mastodon.ar.al#Fediblock

Please welcome @awas@bardicperspiration.club and @Mr_Briney@bardicperspiration.club to the Speakeasy!

The Speakeasy has suspended the person or people behind what Pelago calls the "Jade Chimera. " We find that they have acted deceptively and dishonestly, stolen the work of other modmins and passed it off as their own, and made repeated false accusations against those who questioned their authenticity. In short, they have violated our "don't be a creep rule." https://pelago.1sland.social/report/evidence/kind/group/entity/chimera The receipts, for those who wish to read. We recommend blocking and banning on sight. #fediblock

The Speakeasy has defederated with lastdinosaur(dot)club - ableism, homophobia, racism. Single user instance. hamystudio(dot)ru - strange Russian instance blocking just about every instance. Defederating out of caution. #Fediblock

FYI, it appears that one of the fedi's most prolific serial spammers (he who we do not deign to name) has taken to cosplaying Muslims so he can harass ppl posting abt the attack in Berlin. We recommend blocking and reporting him without engaging; we expect that his love life has prepared him for blanket rejection and the disappointment of being universally ignored. #Fediblock

We are feeling better; we will process pending apps today.

We have suspended spinster(dot)club for transphobia and racism in anti-immigrant nationalism cosplay. We had already suspended their .xyz domain for similar reasons. @Longspeak@bardicperspiration.club #fediblock @alice@lgbtqia.space https://lgbtqia.space/@alice/117175441509457129

The Speakeasy has banned admin bastetandptah(at)kinkycats(dot)org for posting erotic art without obtaining permission from the models or creators. It is their position that publicly available art is "free to distribute" as long as the model or artist receives proper attribution. While proper attribution is a condition many artists and models impose on those sharing their art, it is not sufficient if there is no explicit permission to distribute, whether attributed or not. In other words... no permission, no share. We do not think it unreasonable to ask for permission before using other people's bodies and art. There are plenty of people willing to say yes; opt-in policies empower those sharing themselves v disempowering them. #fediblock #consent

@GuillaumeRossolini@infosec.exchange those who understand are usu already doing it. Those who stay open dont seem to care much tbh.

We try to limit our mention about our little instance to once a week, but it is a new week so here we are again! So, who are we at the Speakeasy? If you're trying to categorize us then you have your work cut out for you! We're witches and druids, gamers, writers, and artists. We're explorers and revolutionaries. And above all, we're adventurers! If that vibes with you and you want new home, we'd love for u to apply! https://speakeasy.bardicperspiration.com/signup.html

If you applied for a Speakeasy account, u should have received a follow-up from the Investigatrix. If not, let us know.

The Speakeasy at Bardic Perspiration is a close-knit community of misfits, rogues, and activists who all share a desire to make this and every world a better place. We're mostly friendly, sometimes salty, and more often than not inappropriate as hells because what fun is life if we're all going around being proper all of the time? Above all, though, we're here to relax between fighting evil and not bothering to take its names. Speakeasies were places that laughed in the face of those who sought to control others people's lives and bodies. As misfits, the idea of an invite only home for like-minded people resonated with us. We wanted a place where we could speak our minds, share our truths, and plot the (obviously entirely legal and nonviolent) overthrow of tyranny and authoritarianism everywhere. And now, we have one! Sound like a place you'd like to be? Join us! https://speakeasy.bardicperspiration.com/signup.html #Speakeasy #Instances #Invites

If we seem quiet, it is because 1/2 if us has not been doing well. Please give us some grace while we work thru it.

Good day, Speakeasers! Our host has graciously agreed to add more poll options to our polls, so you should find that future polls will allow up to 25(!) entries. @DaimonRainbow@bardicperspiration.club @Helixx@bardicperspiration.club @Longspeak@bardicperspiration.club @heals@bardicperspiration.club @Dennis5891@bardicperspiration.club @VulpineDruid@bardicperspiration.club @tiefling@bardicperspiration.club

@johannab@cosocial.ca that seems accurate tbh. We tried contacting them repeatedly about (lack of) moderation but they never replied. Suji was definitely active elsewhere tho, so it seemed more "don't care" and less "got busy." But we did email, and we will report back if we hear.

We mentioned the closure of Mastodon.cloud yesterday. We've looked into it a little bit more and uhm... they've been looking for someone to take over? It may be too late, but if u are okay spending "about $800" a month on what we would consider a def rehab project... maybe ask? Or maybe we could all get together and clean it up? #FediAdmins #FediMods #FediModerator #MastodonCloud #Mastodon https://mstdn.jp/@Sujiyan/116877225547993287

@DaimonRainbow@bardicperspiration.club wait someone else knows abt Way of the House Husband YAS...

@argv_minus_one@mastodon.sdf.org perhaps it is in its awkward teenage phase?

@argv_minus_one@mastodon.sdf.org we remember when the universe was young, but we do believe we missed that particular... mortal thing. We do enjoy the idea of a secret place for those who refuse the tyranny of law, though! Or a provider of secret services.

@shalien@mastodon.projetretro.io we expect he will continue to rear his head; while we are not a kink shaming goddess, "low effort amateur trolling" is a fetish we neither understand nor condone.

Linux is Best: If you would like to spread misinformation we are happy to address your wilful misrepresentations. "They admit Hazel is lying." We do not; we said that we do not see evidence of their claims. We have sufficent evidence that you are a bigot engaged in harassment. We are aware of Hazel's problematic past, which is why we a) made our determination free of her reports and b) chose to comment. Our comments in no way suggest that you're not engaged in harassment and bigotry. We stand by that assessment. "They still insist that you block me." We insist nothing. We provide the evidence that you're a bigot engaged in systematic harassment, evidence we used to make an internal determination. We shared our assessments with the fedi so they can choose for themselves. "Their scam group." We are not affiliated with Gaza Verified, nor do we believe it a scam group. -- Other notes: "I have like 5 accounts" You may have five active accounts but you have had many more. At least 16 accounts federated with our instance use your signature "Linux Is Best" tag. We also suspect that your "general nonsense" is you getting banned. As in, ban evasion. Which, we'd note, is also a violation of our rules. -- You may continue to misrepresent our assessment, but the fact remains that you're a bigot who is targeting a vulnerable population without evidence. Receipts and references included. #fediblock #LinuxUsBest #Bigotry #ReplyGuy #LinuxBro

@Hazel@shonk.link We monitor the standard tags; it isn't necessary to tag us in fediblock notes. If u would like to discuss our concerns, we are happy to do so, but were not inclined to do so publicly.

Addressing some questions we get: "I'm not on ur instance. Can I report ppl or instances to u?" Yesh of course! Either DM us or email us and we will review. If u have the silverware tho, we'd appreciate u checking our blocklists first. "Why are u so active on the fediblock tag?" We like to keep the fedi safe, and we also enjoy smiting gross ppl. "Who is the Overgoddess?" We are the representative and voice of the Speakeasy modmins. "Can I worship u?" ...we suppose that's fine.

We noticed today that @shlee@aus.social has taken over Mastodon.Cloud. We'd love to have a conversation abt the plan, how the spam, abuse, and trolling will be addressed. A good ending story would be amaze. Are u open for a conversation / chat, Shlee? #FediMod #FediModerator #FediAdmin #MastodonCloud

@DaimonRainbow@bardicperspiration.club We think so! If u do an export of your old acct and delete the entries you do not want to keep, then that should work. We'll see if we can find directions!

Oh, for our followers: If you want admin / mod things or Speakeasy announcements, follow @Overgoddess@bardicperspiration.club. If you want (super rare) posts about account actions or notes on our research, follow @investigatrix@bardicperspiration.club. If you want to chill and chat, follow one or all of @heals@bardicperspiration.club @Dennis5891@bardicperspiration.club @Longspeak@bardicperspiration.club @Helixx@bardicperspiration.club @VulpineDruid@bardicperspiration.club @tiefling@bardicperspiration.club ...they are cool ppl.

Remember, the Speakeasy is open for membership for cool people who vibe with our values! What we offer:

• Democratic processes for the community
• Cool people doing cool things
• No incels or creeps
• A non-literal goddess
• Probably a secret chatroom, who knows?
• Stuffs and things

Speakeasers... If u are not showing up in the local feed, please check to make sure you're not set to "Quiet Public." we're not sure if something changed, but apparently this may keep you from showing up.

We consider sharing intimate media of other people without their explicit permission to be a violation of our "Don't Be A Creep" rule and will suspend any account knowingly doing so. We are NOT saying u cannot share intimate media. Just make sure ur have the permission of the subjects and the creator.

Upon review, we reaffirm our ban of "Linux is Best" for bigotry and harassment. We have not seen evidence of sexism, homophobia or anti-trans activity, nor do we feel it necessary to dig, given that his harassment of refugees, malicious misinformation, and bigotry are more than enough to maintain our cross-instance ban of "Linux is Best." #fediblock

@DaimonRainbow@bardicperspiration.club @heals@bardicperspiration.club @Longspeak@bardicperspiration.club @Helixx@bardicperspiration.club @tiefling@bardicperspiration.club @VulpineDruid@bardicperspiration.club @Dennis5891@bardicperspiration.club hn, like literally "Holographic Gotn Wizard?" We can do that.

Hey Speakeasers... We have been handling stolen / no permission to share nudes as u report them by suspending those accounts under the "don't be a creep" rule. If that doesn't vibe w ur interpretation of how we should handle, do let us know. And if u think we need a more explicit (pun intended) rule on this, we can set a vote. As a reminder, liking & posting ur own art / body, or posting with the artist's / person's consent is okay as long as ur CWing and tagging. So: 1- Are we handling right? 2- Do we want to vote on a rule for this? @Helixx@bardicperspiration.club @Longspeak@bardicperspiration.club @Dennis5891@bardicperspiration.club @heals@bardicperspiration.club @VulpineDruid@bardicperspiration.club @tiefling@bardicperspiration.club

@Hazel@shonk.link Pelago is usu tracking those, we prefer not to provide trolls and scammers with the platform they desire, whether they seem harmless or no.

@DaimonRainbow@bardicperspiration.club excellent! Sorry, we were out getting goddess fuel (caffeine)!

The Speakeasy would like to remind everyone that criticizing public officials, governments, or religions for their laws, positions, or actions is not only allowed but encouraged (with appropriate content warnings where needed) on the Speakeasy. Those who violate our rights should be held accountable. Those who would oppress us should be exposed.

@DaimonRainbow@bardicperspiration.club oh and if u want to pull in your follows and followers from other places: https://fedi.garden/ive-already-got-an-account-on-a-mastodon-server-can-i-transfer-my-account-to-a-different-mastodon-server/ We can also give u directions on how to copy instead of move if u like.

As we have said before, we are not techie. Is there any way for us to disable the annoying "we filtered these replies" thing on Masto? We use an app mostly, so we missed some private messages about mod stuff. #FediAdmin #FediMod

We just want to say... we're happy to walk admins / mods thru our process "behind the scenes" if they're interested. It is a bit more than "oh they applied," and is more work up front, but it limits headaches down the road. https://bardicperspiration.club/@Overgoddess/116993373072105700

Oh! For @heals@bardicperspiration.club @Longspeak@bardicperspiration.club @Helixx@bardicperspiration.club @DaimonRainbow@bardicperspiration.club ... if u would like a custom title (see @tiefling@bardicperspiration.club, @VulpineDruid@bardicperspiration.club, or @Dennis5891@bardicperspiration.club for examples) please let us know and we will add!

Please welcome @DaimonRainbow@bardicperspiration.club to the Speakeasy! @Helixx@bardicperspiration.club @Longspeak@bardicperspiration.club @heals@bardicperspiration.club @Dennis5891@bardicperspiration.club @VulpineDruid@bardicperspiration.club @tiefling@bardicperspiration.club