Thanks a lot, Eugen, for taking this decision (because I think the whole project will grow thanks to that) and for everything you did during past years. Your work and dedication really helped to build what have been somehow a dream for most: a social network entitled with strong human values.

Good luck with the rest of your journey!

this seems like a great move, and good time.

We become less effective the further we're stretched, especially in directions that are not our strengths.

I've been through this, I wish I had learned/admitted it earlier.

Thanks a lot for all your energy and efforts to enable a new quality in social media. Chapeau.

Ownership and CEO role can be organized in two different steps.

On the CEO role Craig Newmark has something to say. Also the Signal Foundation has created a role model.

On the ownership Schibsted or Robert Bosch have established well working models.

If you would like to discuss options feel free to reach out. I would be happy to give something back.
(EMail see bio)

It takes fortitude & self-awareness to step aside as founder & bring in someone else to take on the business leadership role.

Its a hard step. Congratulations on taking it.

Piece of advice. Write down the values you want the new company to align to. Gain feedback from those you trust on them.

Use them in the hiring interview process to probe deeply for alignment.

Then think about what happens when you have a conflict & discover you are not values aligned after all.

thank you for everything you have made possible so far.

There should be a Nobel prize for this. 🎖️

This was the right decision. You cannot please everyone (I did not agree with all your decisions) and everything that evolves around ethics must have took a toll on you. Better to let the new governance reflect on the hard ethical questions and handle the critics and focus on the topics that you find more interesting (more code oriented I believe).

Anyway, all that to say, thank you for your work and good luck.

I want to say thank you for creating an alternative where I get my news and less-toxic banter.

It’s an amazing platform and totally understandable your decision.

You a Giga-Chad.

Dude, you did an amazing job. You’ve taken so much on your shoulders, and made one of the most bustling decentralized social media projects ever.

Congrats on your new role, and I know you’ll rock at it.

you've created one of the most important social networks so far, and brought it into public focus. You've introduced millions of people to ActivityPub, whether they chose to use Mastodon or not. You've done this at just the right time for people to have somewhere to jump ship to from other networks, while those networks shift their attention towards politics & corporate greed. And now you're deciding to hand over because you've reached your limit.

That's being a great CEO. Be proud. 👍

I’ve been very happy with what you’ve created, and you have certainly kept a more even keel on the thing than many might have. Thanks for all that work!

You deserve a good work/life balance at this point. I hope it keeps improving for you, even if it’s somewhat painful at this moment.

thanks for personally protecting it as long as you have.

And I just wanted to add, thanks for how easily the "block" feature works. I don't have to tolerate anyone being unpleasant nor do I have to get an admin involved. They don't see me anymore, and I don't see them, and I can let that shit go without even trying to get the last word or waste time defending myself. If it wasn't for this feature I'm not sure I could stay on social media.

Eugen, I have deep respect for your decision and your open and transparent communication about it.
I sometimes don't have a high opinion of me in my roles as well, so I can feel you there. But going forward and deciding what's good for you and "your baby", even if it hurts, is respectable.
And always remember how far you have brought your baby. You can't be that bad of a CEO, huh?

Good luck and a lot of fun with your new role! For the best of you and your baby.

It takes a lot of courage to let your baby go.

I admire you for that, as well as for all the work you have done that made this platform the joyous place it is for all of us.

I hope, you stay connected with the project, but above all a healthy and happy life. You truly deserve that, Eugen!