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Paranoid Factoid

@Alan

I respectfully disagree on the algorithm point.

The lack of an algorithm is good early on, especially for discoverability and reach. Creators love that.

But.... it will get overwhelming at scale.

Selection and presentation algorithms aren't bad, per se. It's lack of transparency and use by central authorities to gaslight users that's bad.

Several algorithms ought be made. And no algorithm at all. Let users decide. Let them even script their own regex. (Filters)

Opinions?

2 comments
A L Katz

@ParanoidFactoid Algorithms will evolve - but they won't be systemic. Individual servers can have them. But that can't bleed out beyond itself. The only problem with algorithms is who's writing them - and for whose ultimate benefit? If that could be bent to an altruistic purpose - okay. Algorithm on!

Paranoid Factoid

@Alan

Algorithms: "who writes them and what's their purpose?"

Exactly my point. Algorithms aren't bad, using them to deceive and gaslight is bad. What corporate social media does to maximize profits and engagement is bad. We agree. But FOSS is algorithm transparency.

You're an instance admin, so you see the issue through the lens of server administration. I see it as user choice. Filters and tag follows are the closest Mastodon has to a personal algorithm. That's what I'm talking about.

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