Notices by Ben Sahlmüller (b3n@g0v.social)

@leah, afaik you are quite active in the meta and community discussion; where is this debate taking place? What is the best way to take part in it?

Maybe for #IvoryIsComing #Ivory #MastodonApps?

The fediverse is permissionless, so this is something someone could just do.

Is it even doable on the app level? Given how much time a feature like this would save, it would be on the list of stuff for which I‘d strongly consider a subscription.

What’s the solution? I think giving users more power over the algorithm is. Sometimes I just want the algorithmischen feed. After being off for a while I might only want the highlights from each user, stuff that sparked the best discussions, etc.

There is a blockchain based social media platform, farcaster.xyz that uses such an approach. I’ve tried it and it’s really fun!

I do not think the solution are lists. They are quite complex (deep in the UI, not supported by all apps), they require another cognitive choice when using the app, they require maintenance, they make discovery harder, and they are not easy to use, as you can have both too few and too many. (They also often don’t work.)

Worst, they don’t solve the problem, they are still lifo.

lifo (last in first out) is also an algorithm (a very simple one) that also influences behavior. The principle it pushes is quantity over quality. Post a lot or you won’t be seen.

This is sad! And it’s probably the opposite of the actual philosophy underlying this platform.

I would really like if Mastodon had the option to change the algorithm on a personal level.

I understand and agree that a centralized add-driven engagement algorithm is not the way to go. It affects the kind of content people are posting and motivates conflict.

Spoiler: Wouldn't this be way cooler!?

@leah Sorry, the message was part of a thread...

I've seen blockchain-based slightly-federated social networks play with a more open way to individually change the algorithm. I think it's a way better way than just a chronological timeline as a lifo algo pushes for quantity over quality.

This is already a big debate, I'm wondering where it takes place.

See https://g0v.social/web/@b3n/109466477876281606