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Agree with both you and Yishan on how social networks are simply trying to extinguish shitstorms. Yeah, for my part, hope Elon can just focus on solving real pr

Agree with both you and Yishan on how social networks are simply trying to extinguish shitstorms. Yeah, for my part, hope Elon can just focus on solving real problems instead dealing with the rolling disaster area that is a social network (seems like Yishan himself seems jaded and cynical about the experience). Just doesn't seem worth it!

zozbot234 4y ago
Social media sites encourage shitstorms because their algorithms are coded to boost whatever maximizes measures of "engagement".
- astrange 4y ago
  Fairly sure there was a story recently where Facebook accidentally turned off "the algorithm" for some people for months and it made them miserable and angrier. I can't find it because Google thinks any related search is actually trying to look for "how to get unbanned from Facebook" though. One reason for this is algorithmic sorting is what gets rid of spam and hides annoying acquaintances you had to friend who never shut up. If you want engagement you don't actually want to show everyone endless political arguments; sex and animal pictures are what's really engaging.
- slg 4y ago
  I do wonder if this was factored at all into the algorithms. Anger and rage inducing content is great for engagement but it adds a lot of overhead in increased moderation. Does that make it less profitable overall than an algorithm designed to elicit positive emotions? Engagement might be down, but happy users won't continually be at each other's throats leading to less required moderation and constant controversy.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
logicalmonster 4y ago
> social networks are simply trying to extinguish shitstorms Just rambling out loud, but perhaps Elon's superpower as the owner of Twitter might be having the luxury to care a whole lot less about user shitstorms. Nobody has more Fuck-You money and ability to ignore a rabid mob than the richest guy on the planet. At the very least, it could be very entertaining.

zozbot234 4y ago

Social media sites encourage shitstorms because their algorithms are coded to boost whatever maximizes measures of "engagement".

astrange 4y ago
Fairly sure there was a story recently where Facebook accidentally turned off "the algorithm" for some people for months and it made them miserable and angrier. I can't find it because Google thinks any related search is actually trying to look for "how to get unbanned from Facebook" though. One reason for this is algorithmic sorting is what gets rid of spam and hides annoying acquaintances you had to friend who never shut up. If you want engagement you don't actually want to show everyone endless political arguments; sex and animal pictures are what's really engaging.
slg 4y ago
I do wonder if this was factored at all into the algorithms. Anger and rage inducing content is great for engagement but it adds a lot of overhead in increased moderation. Does that make it less profitable overall than an algorithm designed to elicit positive emotions? Engagement might be down, but happy users won't continually be at each other's throats leading to less required moderation and constant controversy.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]

logicalmonster 4y ago

> social networks are simply trying to extinguish shitstorms Just rambling out loud, but perhaps Elon's superpower as the owner of Twitter might be having the luxury to care a whole lot less about user shitstorms. Nobody has more Fuck-You money and ability to ignore a rabid mob than the richest guy on the planet. At the very least, it could be very entertaining.