I think if you visit a username that doesn't exist at a particular mastodon instance, it would be nice if it presented search results for that username on other mastodon instances.
@Savagejen I would be worried that that would train users that username (without domain) = account, which is something people are already inclined to think. many opportunities for mischief
@parataxis @Savagejen Also I'd hesitate to add features that let randos put content "next to you" in some sense. "If you search for my name, you find me and ten dozen gore-posting accounts my harrassers have set up"
@chris_martin @parataxis My concern is that someone finds @username at a particular instance, thinks it's the actual person, and it's a troll account using that person's photo
@username @parataxis @chris_martin Something as simple as "This is username@instance.whatever. If you are looking for username at other instances, click here. IDK.
@Savagejen @parataxis @username I still think we should think of them like email addresses, though. Nobody ever worries that you at yourname@gmail.com might be spoofed by somebody claiming yourname@hotmail.com
@chris_martin @Savagejen @parataxis @username I mean, yeah, but they do, though. That's kind of exactly how phishing works.