if we're going by numbers, you mentioned how many users are active on each platform. then you mentioned "Search terms like "facebook alternatives" have absolutely skyrocketed to unprecedented levels in the last couple years". What are those numbers? Is that growth in line with what is happening in the growth of the new platforms? I don't have that answer, but that is also not based on complete data. What I am describing is 35ish years of repeating patterns, and the realities of commerce and human nature. Every platform has followed the pattern of "die a hero, or live long enough to become the victim." And I don't even just mean social media, hell I don't even just mean the Internet. Is it defeatist to say "enjoy what you have and don't try to be just like the others since they've consistently followed a path that is clearly NOT what you want?" I'm all for scale, I'm all for new users. But there is a breaking point where you have to sell ads or data or die and that's just economics. I feel like I'm being as honest about limitations as you are, I'm just applying psychology and history to it.

tl;dr: Growth good. Users and new tech good. Trying to replicate the numbers of behemoths without acknowledging the same path they all took to get there is how you create more. Or die trying due to lack of resources to maintain it.