Retrodeck for me too. I found the devs very helpful and approachable. The work they are doing with the EmulationStation DE devs is making both better and really taking controller support to the next level.
I'm not sure why you are getting downvoted. I'm optimistic for the same reasons and I think you are right about rapid growth being dangerous.
Linux was slow growth, not to mention GNU, but it is so good, and attracted the right kind of contribuitors.
Running these services has a cost and surely over the time it takes to grow, solutions will emerge. It is best to recognize those challenges and address them.
Well I hope so. Occasionally our nerd stuff leaks out into the world and does some real good.
Maybe advertising is only needed to keep shareholders never-ending drive for profits. Wikipedia seems to do ok. I really do hope I'm wrong, but I think you are just being too optimistic, maybe it is because I'm old.
People donate time, and some people host servers and pay bills because they can. I don't think the whole point of federation is amortizing the costs across instances, but it is a perk. Most people want to know what to join, which is why lemmy.world got so big, so fast. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'll bet their donations do not match their costs.
Mastodon is totally cool, I'm on board, but normies don't know what it is.
Can I get this reading for free? I'm a dog influencer and the exposure you will het from my fans will explode your crystal ball.