Re:Seeking Truth in a Time of Misinformation
by chalst on Thursday July 09, 2020 @05:43AM
(#23778488)
> But thus far they haven't been.
They haven't been because the social media platforms have been chasing engagement as their only target and that favours toxicity. But many advertisers are allergic to toxicity: there may be space for a social media platform that tries to avoid the toxic forms of engagement.
> I'm a bit dubious that intentional interventions wouldn't also have their own substantial negative effects.
The current system has been shaped by intentional interventions. The alternative regime should be judged relative to the status quo.
They haven't been because the social media platforms have been chasing engagement as their only target and that favours toxicity. But many advertisers are allergic to toxicity: there may be space for a social media platform that tries to avoid the toxic forms of engagement.
> I'm a bit dubious that intentional interventions wouldn't also have their own substantial negative effects.
The current system has been shaped by intentional interventions. The alternative regime should be judged relative to the status quo.
I recommend Richard Seymour's 'The Twittering Machine' on the nature of those intentional interventions; cf. review: https://www.rs21.org.uk/2019/11/16/review-the-twittering-mac...