1. There are still
multiple options working options within the same ecosystem. And yes you can still self-host or pay to host[0]. Unlike on WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal where you have to choose one (or more) providers.
2. I find it weird how busy we are as a community are: scaring each other away from the solutions we should use by pushing Joe Average in front of us (like the post in this thread about mastodon.com being up for sale).
[0]: yes, there are problems. But FWIW mail disappeared before Gmail as well: I have memories of customers complaining about mail from "central USA" (or something) not arriving and after hassling our email provider and having them hassling their connections mail suddenly started to arrive. (And no I don't think it was acceptable then and I don't think it is acceptable now.)
