Why Building in Public is Less Toxic on Bluesky Than X

The #buildinpublic movement has transformed how entrepreneurs and creators share their journey. But after years of growth on Twitter/X, many builders are discovering that Bluesky offers a fundamentally healthier environment for open development and authentic community building.

The Problem with Building in Public on X

Toxic Responses and Bad Faith Criticism

On X, sharing your work-in-progress often invites:

Destructive criticism without constructive feedback
Imposter syndrome amplification through comparison culture
Harassment and trolling that discourages vulnerability
Quote tweet pile-ons that turn learning moments into public shaming

Algorithmic Amplification of Negativity

X's algorithm favors engagement at any cost, which means:

Controversial takes get more visibility than helpful insights
Dunking culture is rewarded over supportive communities
Negative responses often receive more amplification than positive ones
Drama and conflict generate more reach than genuine progress updates

The Pressure to Perform

The competitive nature of X's #buildinpublic community creates:

Revenue bragging that overshadows learning and growth
Success theater where failure and struggles are hidden
Comparison traps that damage mental health and creativity
Burnout from constant performance rather than genuine sharing

Why Bluesky is Different

Smaller, More Supportive Communities

Bluesky's current size creates:

Intimate conversations where individual voices matter
Genuine connections rather than performative interactions
Quality over quantity in both followers and feedback
Real relationships that extend beyond social media metrics

No Algorithmic Manipulation

Without engagement-driven algorithms, Bluesky offers:

Chronological feeds that don't prioritize controversy
Equal visibility for all types of content, not just viral posts
Authentic engagement based on genuine interest, not algorithmic gaming
Reduced pressure to create controversy for visibility

Cultural Differences

The Bluesky community has developed:

Constructive feedback norms that focus on helping, not harming
Supportive responses to vulnerability and shared struggles
Celebration of small wins alongside major milestones
Genuine curiosity about others' journeys and processes

Real Examples of Healthier Building in Public

Case Study: Sarah's SaaS Journey

Sarah, a solo founder building a productivity app, experienced dramatically different responses:

On X:

"Another productivity app? The market is saturated"
"Your pricing is wrong, you'll never make money"
"Why would anyone use this over [competitor]?"

On Bluesky:

"Interesting approach! Have you considered X feature?"
"I'd love to beta test this when you're ready"
"Similar challenge here - how are you handling Y?"

Case Study: Dev Team's Open Source Project

A small development team sharing their open source journey found:

X Response Pattern:

Technical criticism without context
Demands for features without contribution
Comparison to established projects
Discouragement of experimental approaches

Bluesky Response Pattern:

Constructive technical discussions
Offers to contribute and collaborate
Appreciation for experimentation
Encouragement during difficult phases

The Impact on Mental Health

Reduced Anxiety and Stress

Builders on Bluesky report:

Less anxiety about sharing works-in-progress
Reduced stress from potential backlash or criticism
Better sleep without notification dread
Increased creativity from feeling safe to experiment

Improved Motivation

The supportive environment leads to:

Higher motivation to share and continue building
Better problem-solving through collaborative discussions
Increased resilience during challenging development phases
Sustained enthusiasm for long-term projects

Authentic Vulnerability

Builders feel comfortable sharing:

Real struggles without fear of judgment
Failed experiments as learning opportunities
Personal challenges that affect their work
Honest revenue and growth numbers

Best Practices for Building in Public on Bluesky

1. Share the Real Journey

Include both successes and failures
Show your actual process, not just polished results
Discuss mental health and work-life balance
Share specific challenges and how you're solving them

2. Engage Constructively

Ask thoughtful questions about others' projects
Offer specific, actionable feedback
Share relevant resources and connections
Celebrate others' progress genuinely

3. Build Community, Not Just Audience

Create recurring threads for discussion
Host virtual co-working sessions
Start or join project accountability groups
Collaborate on experiments and challenges

4. Embrace the Smaller Scale

Have deeper conversations with fewer people
Focus on quality connections over follower count
Participate in niche communities within your field
Value engagement over reach metrics

The Future of Building in Public

As Bluesky continues to grow, the challenge will be maintaining this healthier culture. Early adopters have an opportunity to:

Set positive precedents for how the community operates
Establish norms that prioritize support over competition
Create systems that maintain quality as scale increases
Build tools that enhance rather than exploit the community

Making the Switch

If you're currently building in public on X, consider:

Cross-posting your updates to both platforms initially
Experimenting with Bluesky's different engagement styles
Building connections with other builders already on the platform
Adapting your content to fit Bluesky's more conversational nature
Gradually shifting more of your energy to the healthier platform

Final Thoughts

Building in public should be about genuine community, shared learning, and mutual support. While X's toxicity has made many builders hesitant to share openly, Bluesky offers a return to the original spirit of the movement.

The platform's current culture rewards authenticity over performance, support over competition, and genuine connection over viral moments. For builders tired of the negativity and pressure of X, Bluesky provides the opportunity to rediscover the joy of building in community.

Ready to try building in public on Bluesky? Start by sharing one genuine update about your current project—you might be surprised by the supportive response you receive.