Bluesky, the social platform, has been experimenting with introducing a dislike button as part of its efforts to improve conversations on its platform. This new feature allows users to signal that certain posts do not align with their interests, which will be factored into Bluesky's algorithm to prioritize and downrank those specific types of content.
The company is also exploring the concept of "social proximity," where it aims to create a system that maps a user's place within a social network. This means users will see more relevant replies from people they already interact with or would enjoy knowing, leading to conversations that feel more familiar and less prone to misunderstandings. By incorporating this social proximity metric into the dislike button experiment, Bluesky hopes to better understand what types of content users prefer to see less of.
The platform has been offering a feature to limit replies to only people who follow you, but Bluesky wants to provide more options for users. The company is also tweaking its Reply button by requiring users to view the entire thread before tapping to respond. This change aims to improve the overall social climate by reducing bad replies and promoting more productive conversations.
While these updates sound like a way to give users more control over their experience, some critics might argue that they could actually entrench users within their own "filter bubble," rather than addressing broader moderation issues. In fact, Bluesky has faced criticism for failing to remove accounts of people who allegedly violate community guidelines. By isolating users in their social neighborhoods, the platform may inadvertently reduce conflict but also limit opportunities for meaningful disagreement.
The inclusion of a dislike button and adjustments to the Reply feature are part of Bluesky's ongoing efforts to refine its algorithm and create a more engaging social experience. As the company continues to experiment with new ideas, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact users' interactions on the platform.
The company is also exploring the concept of "social proximity," where it aims to create a system that maps a user's place within a social network. This means users will see more relevant replies from people they already interact with or would enjoy knowing, leading to conversations that feel more familiar and less prone to misunderstandings. By incorporating this social proximity metric into the dislike button experiment, Bluesky hopes to better understand what types of content users prefer to see less of.
The platform has been offering a feature to limit replies to only people who follow you, but Bluesky wants to provide more options for users. The company is also tweaking its Reply button by requiring users to view the entire thread before tapping to respond. This change aims to improve the overall social climate by reducing bad replies and promoting more productive conversations.
While these updates sound like a way to give users more control over their experience, some critics might argue that they could actually entrench users within their own "filter bubble," rather than addressing broader moderation issues. In fact, Bluesky has faced criticism for failing to remove accounts of people who allegedly violate community guidelines. By isolating users in their social neighborhoods, the platform may inadvertently reduce conflict but also limit opportunities for meaningful disagreement.
The inclusion of a dislike button and adjustments to the Reply feature are part of Bluesky's ongoing efforts to refine its algorithm and create a more engaging social experience. As the company continues to experiment with new ideas, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact users' interactions on the platform.
... Like, on one hand, it's cool that they're trying to give users more control over what content they see, right? But on the other hand, I worry that it might just create a bunch of echo chambers where people only interact with folks who agree with them. And what about those of us who want to have some real conversations and engage with people we don't know well? 
Not sure if I think that's the best goal for a platform like Bluesky. Don't get me wrong, less bad replies is def a win, but can't we also try to encourage some real debate and discussion on there too? 
. But on the other hand, I'm worried about the potential for people to get even more "in bubbles" with their own interests 
. Don't get me wrong, having a dislike button can be helpful in cutting out content that's not vibin' with you, but if users only see what they want to see, how's that gonna foster real connections? Maybe the key is finding a balance between giving users agency and making sure the platform doesn't become too isolating 
. Fingers crossed Bluesky gets it right 
. But at the same time, there's a risk that this could reinforce our existing biases and filter bubbles... I'm not sure if Bluesky is tackling the root of the problem or just treating the symptoms 
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. If it helps us see more relevant replies from people we interact with, that's a win 
. But how will they ensure that this isn't just another way to keep users within their own echo chambers? It's like they're trying to solve two problems at once: giving us more control and avoiding our own biases 
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. Maybe Bluesky will get it right and create a more inclusive social experience 
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wouldn't that be a more chill way to navigate conversations online? idk about me, but i'm skeptical about the whole dislike button thing. won't it just create another echo chamber where people only see content they already agree with?
they're literally trying to make our feeds way better and more personalized! i mean, having a dislike button is genius - no more getting bombarded with stuff that's just not for me 
it's all about creating a more chill vibe where users can actually have meaningful conversations. and omg the social proximity thing? 
that sounds like exactly what i need - less noise and more quality interactions with ppl i actually care about! i get that some ppl might worry about being stuck in their own filter bubble, but i'm all for trying new things and seeing how it plays out. let's be real, bluesky's already killing the game with their reply feature tweaks 
. It's cool that Bluesky is trying to make conversations more meaningful by prioritizing content that users actually engage with. And the social proximity thing sounds soooo cool 
! Imagine having a feed that's tailored just for you, with people who share your interests and values. It's like having a virtual tribe 
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honestly, i think this is a total double-edged sword thing... on one hand, giving us more control over what we see and interact with sounds like a great way to combat the noise and toxicity that can suck the life out of online conversations 
... but on the other hand, if ppl start curating their feed so much they're only exposed to what confirms their own biases, then isn't that just reinforcing the very same problems? 