There is no algorithm on here.
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@FediTips yes, you are right and I do like Mastodon because this is exactly how it works. However, one could say that this actually _is_ an algorithm — an easy, transparent, and understandable algorithm, right?
I address this in the article, tl:dr - most people who use the word "algorithm" mean the mysterious black box code which messes up their timelines in unpredictable and unwanted ways.
My account and site is mainly aimed at a general non-technical audience, so I'm using vocabulary in a non-technical way.
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@FediTips Not sure I totally agree with this : there ARE algorithms on Mastodon, it can't be otherwise. Feeds are sorted chronologically -- that's algorithm. Trends show messages based on popularity, interactions -- again, algorithms do that. But the difference is on the purpose of these algorithms : they are open source, transparent on how they work, and don't have a malicious purpose. It's human-centered algorithms.
@renchap explained it here (in French, 1h14'27") : https://video.davduf.net/w/dg7QDT5aqA2utQksTT9e3B?start=1h14m27s
@CelianGodefroid @FediTips "Explore" is also "algorithm"
Optional, but it is "algorithmic" nonetheless
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@CelianGodefroid @FediTips "Explore" is also "algorithm"
Optional, but it is "algorithmic" nonetheless
The Explore section is a list of the most shared recent posts, it's not quite the same thing as someone's home timeline being messed up because they liked the "wrong" thing.
This thread is mainly aimed at non-technical people who are too scared to like or share something in case it changes what they see in their timelines. This is what happens on many algo-driven commercial social networks now, and I'm trying to reassure people it doesn't happen on the Fediverse
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There is no algorithm on here. You are free to like and share and interact with whatever you want, it won't affect what appears in your timeline.
The only things in your timeline are all the posts from all the accounts and hashtags and groups you've followed. That's it, it's as simple as that. You control your timeline, there isn't any content being pushed at you or hidden from you or promoted by anyone.
Lots more info and questions answered about this at https://fedi.tips/does-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-use-algorithms-does-it-start-pushing-stuff-at-me-based-on-my-interactions
p.s. Just to clarify, this post is mainly aimed at people who are nervous of liking or sharing the wrong thing in case it messes up what is served to them on their timeline (which is what happens on Twitter, Facebook etc).
I am trying to reassure them that this DOESN'T happen on the Fediverse.
I'm not trying to change the technical defintion of "algorithm", I'm just using that word in the sense that most non-technical people use it, to mean annoying opaque code that messes with timelines
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p.s. Just to clarify, this post is mainly aimed at people who are nervous of liking or sharing the wrong thing in case it messes up what is served to them on their timeline (which is what happens on Twitter, Facebook etc).
I am trying to reassure them that this DOESN'T happen on the Fediverse.
I'm not trying to change the technical defintion of "algorithm", I'm just using that word in the sense that most non-technical people use it, to mean annoying opaque code that messes with timelines
@feditips@social.growyourown.services Your work is appreciated!
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There is no algorithm on here. You are free to like and share and interact with whatever you want, it won't affect what appears in your timeline.
The only things in your timeline are all the posts from all the accounts and hashtags and groups you've followed. That's it, it's as simple as that. You control your timeline, there isn't any content being pushed at you or hidden from you or promoted by anyone.
Lots more info and questions answered about this at https://fedi.tips/does-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-use-algorithms-does-it-start-pushing-stuff-at-me-based-on-my-interactions
@FediTips
> there isn't any content being ... hidden from youNot true.
I have accounts on different instances and they don't offer me the exact same fediverse.
That's fine. And I understand why. It's just confusing for new folks. -
There is no algorithm on here. You are free to like and share and interact with whatever you want, it won't affect what appears in your timeline.
The only things in your timeline are all the posts from all the accounts and hashtags and groups you've followed. That's it, it's as simple as that. You control your timeline, there isn't any content being pushed at you or hidden from you or promoted by anyone.
Lots more info and questions answered about this at https://fedi.tips/does-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-use-algorithms-does-it-start-pushing-stuff-at-me-based-on-my-interactions
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@FediTips
> there isn't any content being ... hidden from youNot true.
I have accounts on different instances and they don't offer me the exact same fediverse.
That's fine. And I understand why. It's just confusing for new folks.That's usually because different instances notice different sets of accounts, depending on whether their members have followed them etc. They're not hiding something from you, they just haven't noticed it.
The exception would be if an instance blocks another instance, but that's more of a moderation thing than an algorithm type thing?
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p.s. Just to clarify, this post is mainly aimed at people who are nervous of liking or sharing the wrong thing in case it messes up what is served to them on their timeline (which is what happens on Twitter, Facebook etc).
I am trying to reassure them that this DOESN'T happen on the Fediverse.
I'm not trying to change the technical defintion of "algorithm", I'm just using that word in the sense that most non-technical people use it, to mean annoying opaque code that messes with timelines
@FediTips
I think it would be better to say "There's no opaque or hidden algorithm on Mastodon and the Fediverse". Non-technical people would understand and the sentence would at the same time be more accurate. -
@FediTips
I think it would be better to say "There's no opaque or hidden algorithm on Mastodon and the Fediverse". Non-technical people would understand and the sentence would at the same time be more accurate.At least in the English-speaking non-technical world, "algorithm" now means opaque code which messes with social media timelines in unwanted ways for commercial and manipulative purposes.
This is pretty much the only context in which non-technical people use the word, at least in English. A common phrase is "escape the algorithm" etc.
When trying to reach a mass non-technical audience, IMHO it's more effective to just use the word in the sense the audience uses it.
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At least in the English-speaking non-technical world, "algorithm" now means opaque code which messes with social media timelines in unwanted ways for commercial and manipulative purposes.
This is pretty much the only context in which non-technical people use the word, at least in English. A common phrase is "escape the algorithm" etc.
When trying to reach a mass non-technical audience, IMHO it's more effective to just use the word in the sense the audience uses it.
@FediTips
Is it really less effective if I say "escape the opaque algorithm"? -
@FediTips
Is it really less effective if I say "escape the opaque algorithm"?In my judgement it would be less effective, but that's a personal assessment.
Totally understand and respect it if people disagree though.
