MastodonNov 22, 2023

Strangers offering unsolicited advice or derailing conversations should be familiar to all who use social media. In our new #Mastodon for Android update, we’re testing a new feature aimed to curb these behaviours:

https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2023/11/improving-the-quality-of-conversations-on-mastodon/

Improving the quality of conversations on Mastodon

In our most recent Mastodon for Android release, we’re testing a new feature aimed to curb unneccesary negativity that comes from being on the Internet.

Mastodon Blog
Show threadDagnabbit, Pascaline! 💥Nov 22, 2023

@Mastodon

I like this part too 😂

"We also believe that by showing a bit of information about the person you’re about to talk to, we can prevent some awkward situations, such as explaining something to an expert in a given field."

Show threadpmroman 🇪🇺Nov 22, 2023
@Mastodon And who will certify, or verify, the expertise of each one of us? Besides, folks can talk without been experts, it's called conversation and I thought it was the purpose. Anyway, I forgot we shouldn't interact with people we don't know, my apologies :-)
Show threadJulian ♪🌻🥥🌴♫Nov 22, 2023
@pmroman @Mastodon The way I see it, it isn't about not interacting with someone you don't know, but remembering that it's a different thing talking to a stranger in a blunt tone vs. someone who you've already interacted with.
Show threadpmroman 🇪🇺
@TFFPrisoner @Mastodon And why would I address you with more, or less, respect than I adresse someone with whom I've exchanged previously? But yes, I get your point.
Nov 22, 2023 at 7:05pmWeb
Show threadSteffen VoßNov 22, 2023
@pmroman @TFFPrisoner @Mastodon Sometimes I forget that I feel like I know someone I follow but that person doesn't know me, because the person doesn't follow me. It's good to be reminded of that before I start a conversation in a too familar tone.
You can still contact everybody and write whatever you want. Simply ignore the reminder or use an app, that doesn't have that feature if you don't like it. I like it.
Show threadpmroman 🇪🇺Nov 22, 2023
@kaffeeringe @TFFPrisoner @Mastodon I don't think the feature at discussion justifies changing the application I use, the inclusion of the "expertise" will without doubt.
Show threadJulian ♪🌻🥥🌴♫Nov 22, 2023
@kaffeeringe @pmroman @Mastodon You could say it attempts to replace (or remind users of the lack of) the kind of cues you have in direct interaction like facial expression, body language, use of personal space... all of those are missing from online discourse.
Show threadpmroman 🇪🇺Nov 22, 2023
@TFFPrisoner @kaffeeringe @Mastodon That's a very good point, it makes sense. However, my main objection was to the "expertise" issue.
Show threadJulian ♪🌻🥥🌴♫Nov 22, 2023
@pmroman @kaffeeringe @Mastodon
Yeah, I was just going off the "I forgot we shouldn't interact with people we don't know" part.
Expertise isn't entirely to be dismissed IMO - I think a lot of medical experts were driven to despair by "reply guys" (and girls) trying to tell them that viruses don't exist and similar nonsense. But I do agree that it's a difficult issue. Should people be able to list their credentials?
Show threadpmroman 🇪🇺Nov 22, 2023
@TFFPrisoner @kaffeeringe @Mastodon Or willing? Even able? Or safe doing so? Will other tooters feel comfortable? Will the tooter become a target?
Show threadhömmaNov 23, 2023

@TFFPrisoner @kaffeeringe @pmroman @Mastodon

so you’re all „strangers“ to me. Should I even dare comment? Let’s say I’m new here, and I get this warning: „Careful, you’re about to talk to a stranger! Wait, that post you want to say something nice about is old and cold!“ Oh, you’re not supposed to do that here? Okay, I can turn the warning off (aka „mark as read & understood“) but…

1/2

Show threadhömmaNov 23, 2023

@TFFPrisoner @kaffeeringe @pmroman @Mastodon

… I heard it, and I’ll keep it in mind: don’t do these things. The facial expression and body language of Mastodon would look really unfriendly with this feature.

Trolls & reply guys won’t be bothered, but kind and gentle people will be put off. They already are now, just reading the announcement.
2/2

Show threadhannah aubryNov 23, 2023

@kommaKucken @TFFPrisoner @kaffeeringe @pmroman @Mastodon Of course you should dare comment! As long as it's in good faith and respectful.

I think of myself as a kind and gentle person and I'm thrilled to see these nudges. I think generally, most people don't want to do harm to others, and if they do it's because they weren't being thoughtful. Sometimes people just need a reminder.

Show threadSteffen VoßNov 23, 2023
@kommaKucken @TFFPrisoner @pmroman @Mastodon I don't think, that most people want to be rude. But sometimes it happens, because we read a situtation wrong. I like these nudges. I am afraid, I was regarded a reply guy once or twice. I don't like these situations. And I like that the apps tries to improve conversations.