The assumption is that centrally managed social media is bad because their algorithm is bad. But actually, they are bad because they are centrally managed and force one algorithm onto you. I’m not even advocating algorithm-by-choice. Even instance-specific algorithms would already work and would make the whole experience much more enjoyable and less boring. And if an instance’s algorithm(s) is too aggressive, it gets defederated. That would result in a much more exciting experience imo. And by the way: what’s the problem with getting old posts back in the timeline if it makes the overall conversation more interesting?
Also:
- A open, customizable algorithm that lets the user set their own priorities, and if it does any “learning” based on user actions, it’s geared toward the user’s priorities and easy for the user to see and correct what it’s learned.
Again, key factors being: open, customizable, correctable, and serving the user, not serving the platform.
Examples of this might include prioritizing mutual followers on Mastodon, or prioritizing low-traffic subscribed communities on Lemmy so that they don’t get lost in the 50 posts from the busier communities.
