I joined because I wanted access to a reddit-style place that wasn't part of the neoliberal echo chamber that is culture in the imperial core, but I had gotten tired of the bear site.

I like the instance, I like the moderation, I like how its widely federated. I wish it did not have downvotes like hexbear does, but I find the .ml community to be much better in general, though a bit too sectarian at times.

I prefer .ml to hexbear because hexbear has big time "midwestern covid conscious lesbian bar" vibes at times.

My main issue with .ml is how other instances act. It's pretty common to see ridiculous lies about .ml with a bunch of upvotes and the OP is never able to provide any proof when asked for it. But people still believe it because it's .ml
Same with how a lot of users' brains will shut down when they see anything they disagree with posted by someone from this instance. All rationality goes out the window and they retreat to a frustrating ad hominem of "you're using this instance, thus I dont have to take it seriously" - "ml detected, opinion disregarded" it's so sad to see people be so scared.

I also see users from other instances cry about .ml moderation. Personally I feel like it is pretty evenhanded and fair, but moderation will always skew against outsiders. I've been banned from some communities due to incivility while the equally uncivil person I was replying to was not. That's just how it is everywhere, I dont go about pretending like thats some special feature of .world.

So all in all I like it and my issue with it is mainly other instances.