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>some totally random person on my friend list who I’d never interacted with. While the Algorithm(tm) is complete garbage, you could also probably add less Tota

>some totally random person on my friend list who I’d never interacted with. While the Algorithm(tm) is complete garbage, you could also probably add less Totally Random Persons(tm) to your "friends" list. If Totally Random Persons(tm) are getting added automagically, we have bigger problems.

stavros 2y ago
But that would be the wrong solution to the problem. I should be able to add whomever I want, and then be able to mute them permanently.
- Dalewyn 2y ago
  I think if you add not-friends to your friends list, the Algorithm(tm) perhaps justifiably recommends things from your friends list, and you get junk recommendations, the problem isn't entirely the Algorithm(tm)'s fault. You feed the Algorithm(tm) garbage and it returns you garbage, and somehow it's all the Algorithm(tm)'s fault.
  - stavros 2y ago
    It's the algorithm's fault for not listening to my "mute this person". I had my feed muted so I didn't see any posts (which is how I wanted it), but now I see random "recommended" content, with no way I can see to opt out. That's not my fault.
    - throwaway48540 2y ago
      This is like complaining that a blog site shows you blog posts. It's made for this purpose, not yours. Using it is your choice - don't.
  - code_duck 2y ago
    FB has an entire team of very well paid people whose entire job is to tweak this algorithm. Presenting relevant content is the whole concept. I suspect where it goes wrong is chasing “engagement” at all costs despite whether it’s emotionally pleasant to the viewer. FB doesn’t care if I actually like the content they present - just whether it keeps me on the site longer. That is, I believe, a poor choice since, at least in my case, it led me to stop using their service.
- wwweston 2y ago
  Isn’t that what “unfollow” is on FB (stay “friends” but they don’t influence your feed)?
  - stavros 2y ago
    It is, but now it shows me random groups for me to "join" and there's no way to remove those.
code_duck 2y ago
They were people I was connected to as part of my line of trade.

stavros 2y ago

But that would be the wrong solution to the problem. I should be able to add whomever I want, and then be able to mute them permanently.

Dalewyn 2y ago
I think if you add not-friends to your friends list, the Algorithm(tm) perhaps justifiably recommends things from your friends list, and you get junk recommendations, the problem isn't entirely the Algorithm(tm)'s fault. You feed the Algorithm(tm) garbage and it returns you garbage, and somehow it's all the Algorithm(tm)'s fault.
- stavros 2y ago
  It's the algorithm's fault for not listening to my "mute this person". I had my feed muted so I didn't see any posts (which is how I wanted it), but now I see random "recommended" content, with no way I can see to opt out. That's not my fault.
  - throwaway48540 2y ago
    This is like complaining that a blog site shows you blog posts. It's made for this purpose, not yours. Using it is your choice - don't.
- code_duck 2y ago
  FB has an entire team of very well paid people whose entire job is to tweak this algorithm. Presenting relevant content is the whole concept. I suspect where it goes wrong is chasing “engagement” at all costs despite whether it’s emotionally pleasant to the viewer. FB doesn’t care if I actually like the content they present - just whether it keeps me on the site longer. That is, I believe, a poor choice since, at least in my case, it led me to stop using their service.
wwweston 2y ago
Isn’t that what “unfollow” is on FB (stay “friends” but they don’t influence your feed)?
- stavros 2y ago
  It is, but now it shows me random groups for me to "join" and there's no way to remove those.

code_duck 2y ago

They were people I was connected to as part of my line of trade.