Because of the nature of federation posts and comments on LemmyNSFW communities will live on basically forever. However the photos and videos will likely be lost. Some were links to external media and will stick around, some may be cached. But most photos and videos that were uploaded directly to the instance will break when the server fully goes down.
For example: [NSFW, OBVIOUSLY] [email protected] - that link should load fine on your instance. It should look functional just with no new posts. (Note: it’s actually possible to post and comment in these communities still, but only people in your instance will see it)
The images are served from links like these: (mild NSFW) https://lemmynsfw.com/pictrs/image/d50379d3-7d64-440c-bcf6-13dbf2b81c1b.webp?format=webp
The fact that the images still load is a somewhat hopeful sign. The server is still running, Lemmy just crashed. There’s still time for the head admin to come back, the data still exists. This seems unlikely though as the other admin says they haven’t heard from them since October.
So there’s a small window to archive this stuff, if you’re interested. Between now and whenever the media server crashes or gets shut off for non-payment.


I’m not archiving porn dude. There’s plenty more out there. It’ll be ok.
Oh it’s not my thing. But some people are archivists
Like all things Lemmy, I’m pretty sure there were some pretty obscure NSFW stuff posted in niche communities.
The more it is obscure it is the more chance thst it is completely illegal content
A truly ignorant, judgmental, and narrowminded take.
It is not. Big porn websites have sophisticated systems to remove illegal content, so people who want to share illegal content will go to an obscure platform and an obscure community.
The instance was defederated by many instances for illegal content
Excuse you. My kink for specifically blond hairy left feet is Not illegal.
Well maybe it should be.
B…but think of future generations… think of the children!
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