I don't think it's simply "left wing" being the problem any more, at least not the classical left. I'm generally left-leaning libertarian yet over the past few years (particularly since 2020) I've been called far-right, far-left, and every "-ist" and "-ism" in between, by people in various places. I think people in general have become "woke", childish, and tribal – incapable of comprehending a point of view other than what is fed to them. One could see the mass downvoting without discourse as a minor form of "cancel culture". These things are reflected in the general state of politics at large in many countries, also contributing to their decay.

While I do agree that Lemmy, on the whole, appears rather "left-wing", by the morern usage of the term -- or perhaps there are simply just some small, but very active, left-wing groups -- I don't think that that is a perfect reason, as libertarianism isn't inherently non-left (although, it does entirely depend on how one is defining left, and right wing); libertarianism is simply the antithesis of authoritarianism (more accurately speaking, anarchism would be the true antithesis of authoritarianism, but, for the purpose of this comment, libertarianism should suffice).

All this being said, I do agree that I have seen that the public has some weird notion that libertarianism is some "alt-right", or "right-wing" philosophy; however, this makes little sense to me. What could possibly be so unpalatable about equal liberty for all? Who would want to willingly be oppressed?

I’ve noticed 🥸

No, it makes them a racist. Get with the times, old man!