Discovery here IS bad, and — I hate to say it — the solution to that is an (entirely optional) algorithm that surfaces potential follows and compelling content right out of the gate.
Algorithms aren’t inherently evil. Hell, “show posts in reverse chronological order” is in itself an algorithm.
What matters are 1) choice and 2) the intention with which the algorithm was designed.
#Mastodon https://mastodon.social/@mimsical/110865836818850808
@feelnotes Probably not.
But it is possible to make using discovery features entirely opt-in, as well as provide full transparency over what information is collected and how it is to be used.
Plus, it’s not as if a malicious actor couldn’t be collecting this sort of information now, if you use their server.
@jeff i dunno, it’s hard for me to imagine that kind of algorithmic feed existing without the incentives of data harvesting and advertising, but maybe that’s just a failure of imagination on my part.
i do remember early social media, before algorithmic feeds/ recommendations, and it was just fine.
Jeff C. 🇺🇦🇬🇱
Kevin in Alaska