Dr. Casey FieslerNov 24, 2022

So someone on tiktok was complaining that on mastodon there's no way to see "popular" posts, and I pointed out that it's just a chronological feed rather than a curation algorithm and they said they don't like it because they "have to sift through a bunch of boring posts to find gems."

I've always thought that lots of people SAY they don't like curation/recommendation and would rather just see everything, but they don't actually mean that. 🤷‍♀️

Show threadDr. Casey Fiesler
Lots of interesting replies to this post, and several folks pointed to this post from a former Twitter designer about implications of design decisions on that platform. https://social.lot23.com/@jon/109372257422277945
Jon Bell (@[email protected])

I'm about to leave Mastodon for a few months. Not because I had a bad time, or couldn't find interesting people, or don't think the concept of a fediverse is dumb. On the contrary, I think it's great. I just have other stuff to do. But before I go, I want to share some thoughts as an ex-Twitter designer and someone who's been on Mastodon since 2018. #mastodon #twitter #ux #design #critique #hashtags #introduction 🧵

Hometown
Nov 24, 2022 at 2:43pmWeb
Show thread藤井太洋, Taiyo FujiiNov 24, 2022
@cfiesler thanks for sharing it! It’s so interesting.
Show threadDwayneNov 24, 2022
@cfiesler
Very thoughtful. Sometimes we’re quick to say “it doesn’t work - I’ve tried” (so it won’t work for you either) and there’s also the point of Twitter was a business (and thus maybe had a different purpose), but I think Jon makes a valid point that a successful Mastodon (however you measure success) could have some good/bad things in common with Twitter. It won’t satisfy everyone. Can any platform? Editable posts - yes or no?
Show threadPoeticLicenseDKNov 24, 2022
@cfiesler
Thought provoking.
Show threadJohn SchragNov 24, 2022
@cfiesler Twitter was optimizing their algorithm for user engagement — maximizing the time they can serve you ads. This is very different than maximizing enjoyment. Fear/outrage keep people reading.
Show threadGoon DocksNov 24, 2022
@jvschrag @cfiesler that was my thought as well. The purpose of the algorithm was to keep people on the site, whether happy or angry so they can serve more ads. It's purpose was not to make users happy or to build a healthy community.
Show threadJohnWNov 24, 2022

@cfiesler I both understand what he's doing and disagree with it.

For instance, creating an algorithmic timeline based upon making it easier for the people makes sense.

But it also implies that people are subject to an instant-gratification (let the system do it for me) mentality.

Whereas Mastodon gives you (almost) all the stuff you need to curate and filter your own timeline and sends the message... I know you're smart enough to do this!

Positive reinforcement.