After talking with an ex #Meta engineer that explained some of the tricks used to boost users dopamine reactions to watching “likes” bubble up in their UI I think the Blue Sky vs. Masto debate gets it wrong.

There is room for both.

Those that need the “fix” of the dopamine likes and influencer surge will gravitate to the algorithms that give them that.

Those that don’t like influencers constantly curating their posts for optimal engagement and trending statistics will pick Mastodon.