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Bluesky is ushering in a pick-your-own algorithm era of social media

(www.newscientist.com)
190 points amichail | 1 comments | 20 Nov 24 12:59 UTC | HN request time: 0.209s | source
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grishka ◴[20 Nov 24 16:09 UTC] No.42195272[source]▶
> The use of algorithms to filter information has become the norm because chronologically presenting information from followers creates a confusing morass for the average user to process.

Can't disagree more. Call me old-fashioned but I hate any algorithms at all meddling with what I see. If I follow someone, I want to see their posts, all of them, without exceptions. If I don't follow someone, I only want to see their posts if they were knowingly reposted by someone who I do follow. If I want some posts filtered from my feed, I'll set up word filters myself, thank you very much.

It's a recurring theme in the modern IT industry that "the average user" can't be trusted to take their own responsibility. It's sometimes taken as an indisputable truth, even. Why does this keep happening? What can I do to put an end to this?

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1. intended ◴[20 Nov 24 16:38 UTC] No.42195648[source]▶
There seem to be two different issues in your point here.

First is algorithms to select content for users.

This is often an issue because the algorithm is designed to maximize time on site, which results in content that pressed emotional buttons and engages the fight or flight reflex built into us.

The other issue is that users can’t be trusted to use a tool correctly.

I don’t think this last point is wrong, but I don’t think it links to your primary point.