Re:Mozilla to Explore Healthy Social Media Alternative
by Llamamoe on Wednesday December 21, 2022 @08:33AM
(#34080490)
Cigarettes have never been a prerequisite to staying in touch in an increasingly disconnected world, though.
Re:Mozilla to Explore Healthy Social Media Alternative
by haswell on Wednesday December 21, 2022 @03:07PM
(#34085727)
And neither are the most toxic elements of the current big social media platforms.
Even just a return to the basics would go a long way: Show me my friends' stuff, in order, and don't show me anything else. Let me stay up to date without getting roped into bullshit promoted on my feed.
Highly manipulative algorithmic content promotion is not necessary to stay in touch.
At worst, a less toxic iteration of a social media platform is the equivalent of e-cigarettes. Still addictive and not super healthy, still unknown how this mode of consumption will impact humans long term, but less likely to kill you from the obvious kinds of cancer.
Re:Mozilla to Explore Healthy Social Media Alternative
by Llamamoe on Friday December 23, 2022 @02:54AM
(#34103324)
Sure, but the corporations have incentives to run things the way they're running them now, and users will aggregate to platforms others use, which will in turn be driven by addictiveness. And you're not going to quit a platform if it means losing touch with your friends and access to your data on it.
I strongly believe that in a few decades (probably sooner), the traditional social media platforms will be seen as cigarettes. Some people will still partake, but no one has any misconception about the harm they cause.
Healthier alternatives will be important in the long run, even if there is no perfect technical solution.
I do like your theories about why certain networks have fared as they have, and hopefully Mozilla comes away with some insights that might lead to something that highlights the good parts.