to challenge your world views and grow as person? Yes i know some people with differing views can be arseholes but that should not stop you from putting your world views up to the test by having a discussions with the opposing side.
I don't understand why we have to "challenge our world views and grow as a person" when it comes to social media. What if I want to just join a server to talk about old cars, or gardening or some other hobby in a casual fashion? I don't always want to see or hear about social issues or politic... and that goes for issues I agree and disagree with.
Mastodon has enabled an escape from the constant "Everything is political" and "Everything has to be about my cause" that has engulfed our culture. I think that is wonderful.
you can challenge your world views and grow as a person without exposing yourself to toxicity or horrible people.
I don’t expose any information about myself online, especially to lefties, who knows what innocent remark will be cancel fodder in a week or two. I don’t need to be wheedled or badgered for not being aware of the latest trend, or for bucking it. For example, I don’t do pronouns. I don’t care what people want to be called, it’s an imposition on me. This right here is enough to get you added to the list at Google, for example.