The Mastodon meme rose to prominence primarily during periods of significant policy changes or ownership shifts on mainstream social media platforms like Twitter. Represented by its distinct woolly mammoth mascot, the meme often depicts the confusion, idealism, or technical hurdles associated with moving to the Fediverse. It serves as a symbol for decentralized networking and open-source alternatives to big tech. Users typically use the template to highlight the contrast between chaotic mainstream feeds and the more niche, community-driven atmosphere of Mastodon, often poking fun at the learning curve involved in choosing a server or 'instance'.