I’m just getting into it myself, the fediverse seems more like what I’m looking for in terms of social media/forums. Usenet is good for binaries but there’s some interesting discussion there too

alt.fan.usenet alt.folklore.computers alt.privacy comp.infosystems.gemini comp.infosystems.gopher comp.lang.misc comp.misc comp.mobile.android rec.arts.sf.written comp.os.linux comp.os.linux.misc comp.sys.raspberry-pi news.software.readers rec.autos.sport.f1 sci.astro sci.physics.research rec.food.cooking rec.arts.sf.written sci.crypt misc.test news.software.nntp rec.arts.drwho comp.ai alt.comp.os.windows-10 alt.comp.os.windows-11 sci.logic comp.language.python rec.radio.amateur.* uk.radio.amateur.* rec.woodworking rec.arts.sf.tv alt.culture.usenet free.usenet talk.politics.guns soc.culture.usa alt.arts.poetry.comments