Splinter platforms like Parler always suffer from a malady I’m calling it the “worst people problem.” Basically, a platform that exists to provide a home for those who’s shitty behavior was unwelcome elsewhere will be composed almost entirely of people who are...just the worst.

This was a problem with every YouTube clone. And it’s more than just “ugh, these people suck.”

They are assholes, so they’re hard to make a product for. They’re always angry and always on the hunt for ways that they can manipulate, and that means often turning on the platform.

They build a culture of being mean and combative, of course, but it’s actually only fun to be mean to people who are behaving like normal humans. It actually isn’t any fun to be a total shitbag edgelord when everyone around you is also a total shitbag edgelord.

And since there is always a better platform waiting with more features and a better culture (the one everyone initially fled), all but the worst / most invested people tire of it and leave. The Worst People Problem has insta-killed like 5 different YouTube clones over the years.