Can we create and use social networking algorithms on the Fediverse that serve our own personal goals, such as more and deeper personal relationships, career advancement, and more participative citizenship?
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@evan My answer is a "No" without a but. Any form of classification or algorithmic unpacking reflects intent. Intent with bias. That cannot be seen or changed. No matter how much we try. That's at least my lesson based on many years of experience. And yes, I am fully aware that my personal timeline also reflects a lot of bias based on the people I follow. But that is ultimately a good thing in a world of disinformation and clickbait.
And what's wrong with having transparent bias and users' choices about which one to use ?
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And what's wrong with having transparent bias and users' choices about which one to use ?
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A full documentation of how the algorithm operates, and open discussion about the biases it entails.
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@evan@cosocial.ca yes, but we must keep being vigilant that it's still dangerous in terms of what we can uninentionally inflict on ourselves. An echo chamber or rage maximizing algorithm is worse when controlled by an external entity with specific financial goals and complete disregard for human wellbeing. It is however still bad (even if a bit less) when self imposed by a person. We still think of social interactions the way we did pre-internet and we certainly have the emotional reactions to social interactions that we elvoled to have for (tens of?) thousands of years before the internet.
I'm assuming what someone already mentioned here, that said algorithms will be somehow entirely user controlled. Anything else is bound to end up as what we have in corporate social media. -
@evan I said Yes instead of "Yes, but..." because the but is essentially "you should probably understand what the algorithm does and you need to be responsible for any effects of using it, including on others"...
But to me that's like "Should you be alive?" with an answer of "Yes, but you should obey the golden rule" which is really "Yes".
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@evan I want algorithm like old school art platform features+its algorithm (DeviantArt, Pixiv, etc).
Sort by newest or popularity are never a viable solution for art community.
I remember seeing my DeviantArt feed, and discovering sketch, photography, cosplay, calligraphy, origami, in one place. Some recommendations are literally 8 years old post.
Without that system, art community will turn into trend chasing, maximalizing for engagement instead of personal uniqueness. This already happens on Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
Even if Pixelfed had the algorithm, it is not a solution, as it was never meant to accomodate variation of post like proper art platform.
