Arvind NarayananNov 4, 2022

Algorithms aren't the enemy. Chronological feeds don't scale and the signal-to-noise ratio will plummet if this ever gets popular. The real problems with today's algorithmic feeds are non-transparency, lack of choice, and optimizing for engagement instead of healthy discourse.

Open-source is a perfect opportunity to fix all this. Have there been any efforts to create a Mastodon instance with a (community governed) ranking algorithm? Is that technically feasible? Or is the idea simply anathema?

Show threadMark Riedl
@randomwalker there are instances that have implemented quote retoots (or boosts or whatever quote tweets might get called here), so I think as long as the instance members are cool with it
Nov 4, 2022 at 11:26pmWeb
Show threadAbi Nov 5, 2022
@riedl @randomwalker sure, but this post is why they weren't added in the first place..
Show threadMatt KrauseNov 5, 2022

@goabiaryan @riedl @randomwalker

I can sorta see that, but I also did like having a way to add context to a recommendation. A lot of science-y QTs added background information, like explaining why a thread might be interesting to a broader audience.

Show threadAbi Nov 5, 2022
@prokraustinator @riedl @randomwalker yeah you can copy link for that and make ur own tweet/toot/twoot/post (whatever its called 🤣) .. ur audience can see it but theirs doesn't need to
Show threadBarry DevereuxNov 6, 2022

@riedl @randomwalker

It could be user-configurable, i.e.

◻️ Allow my posts to be quote-boosted
◻️ Don't allow my posts to be quote-boosted
◻️ Let me decide for each post

While quote-tweeting is sometimes toxic it also often drives discussion/engagement and it doesn't seem optimal to not have the functionality in some form.