@FediTips A nice li’l explainer, @jonnyarsenic

@FediTips Not sure I totally agree with this : there ARE algorithms on Mastodon, it can't be otherwise. Feeds are sorted chronologically -- that's algorithm. Trends show messages based on popularity, interactions -- again, algorithms do that. But the difference is on the purpose of these algorithms : they are open source, transparent on how they work, and don't have a malicious purpose. It's human-centered algorithms.

@renchap explained it here (in French, 1h14'27") : https://video.davduf.net/w/dg7QDT5aqA2utQksTT9e3B?start=1h14m27s

@FediTips yes, you are right and I do like Mastodon because this is exactly how it works. However, one could say that this actually _is_ an algorithm — an easy, transparent, and understandable algorithm, right?

p.s. Just to clarify, this post is mainly aimed at people who are nervous of liking or sharing the wrong thing in case it messes up what is served to them on their timeline (which is what happens on Twitter, Facebook etc).

I am trying to reassure them that this DOESN'T happen on the Fediverse.

I'm not trying to change the technical defintion of "algorithm", I'm just using that word in the sense that most non-technical people use it, to mean annoying opaque code that messes with timelines 🙂

@FediTips As a pleasant side effect, generally when I open Mastodon, it is on whatever I last viewed. I like that.

@FediTips

#Fediverse: You are your own #algorithm.

@FediTips This is one of the reasons I’d like to see public service departments post more on Mastodon. They argue that they need to be where the audience is.

But do they consider that on platforms like Facebook or Instagram their posts might simply not show up? Does it matter that the audience is there if you can’t reach them?

It’s not problematic only for the institutions but the society as a whole.

@FediTips
> there isn't any content being ... hidden from you

Not true.
I have accounts on different instances and they don't offer me the exact same fediverse.
That's fine. And I understand why. It's just confusing for new folks.

@FediTips Let it always be so. I hate meddling algorithms.

@FediTips What about @loops For You page? Will that have some kind of algorithm behind it?

@FediTips @Chrisblueeyes FYI. Good info for you!

@FediTips I accept that chronological order does not count as an "algorithm" but my feed is clearly not in chronological order. (The ages of posts are clearly displayed.)