I tried Gab, but it felt quite unfriendly. The founder's posts were polarizing, and frankly, quite ego-centric.

One of the first posts I saw in the feed (not from someone I followed) was from some "experienced" member educating newcomers on how rude it was for them to start posting right away. He said they needed to lurk for a while so they could learn how to fit in.

Given what was going on at the time, there were a lot of people arriving who had been on social platforms for years; but suddenly they weren't 'qualified' to share anything.

I know that was just one person's opinion, but it really made an impression on me that the community didn't tell that ungracious blowhard that he wasn't a moderator.

As soon as AU got going, I just couldn't stomach Gab anymore.