The problem with microblogging platforms is they revolve around following users and not topics.
Mastodon has tried to change that by encouraging following hashtags but with limited success.
They are great platforms for people who are already (internet) famous and want a soapbox. But for ordinary folk tooting or tweeting or whatever else it’s called is just shouting into the void. There’s no discussion because nobody ever sees what others post.
I like Mastodon but it seems it can’t escape the inherent problems of the platform model itself.
But for ordinary folk tooting or tweeting or whatever else it’s called is just shouting into the void. There’s no discussion because nobody ever sees what others post.
Microblogging is surprisingly good for discussions between scientists and other academics, but I think this feels like the exception that proves the rule — a particular scenario where it does make sense to follow people rather than topics
Apart from the “subscription list” system there are lots of other things that would not be hard to implement. For example if creators are unwilling to use hashtags, then just let users do the tagging. If you are scared of false tags, implement a system where multiple people have to assign the same tag before it becomes active.
Then you can search for or subscribe to tags which would make discovery a looot better.
The problem with microblogging platforms is they revolve around following users and not topics.
Mastodon has tried to change that by encouraging following hashtags but with limited success.
They are great platforms for people who are already (internet) famous and want a soapbox. But for ordinary folk tooting or tweeting or whatever else it’s called is just shouting into the void. There’s no discussion because nobody ever sees what others post.
I like Mastodon but it seems it can’t escape the inherent problems of the platform model itself.
That was a perfect description.
Microblogging is surprisingly good for discussions between scientists and other academics, but I think this feels like the exception that proves the rule — a particular scenario where it does make sense to follow people rather than topics
Apart from the “subscription list” system there are lots of other things that would not be hard to implement. For example if creators are unwilling to use hashtags, then just let users do the tagging. If you are scared of false tags, implement a system where multiple people have to assign the same tag before it becomes active.
Then you can search for or subscribe to tags which would make discovery a looot better.