Also noticed the "scalloped growth" curve from Mastodon in general. For each exodus event there's an influx of activity that dies down but not to former levels and each time it happens, retention seems slightly better (less slope on the subsequent downward curve).

If you're this concerned about your blogging service changing ownership and having a lighter TOS your research is NGMI anyway.

So basically inconsequential bulk

Any implication that academic journals are anything more social media for crusty old intellectuals really speaks to your understanding of “science”. Many articles are just diss tracks and callout posts that are seen as Legitimate because they have a two-column layout and a serifed typeface.