@knoodler.bsky.social
(3) Require that all algorithms used to curate suggestions and content be open source. That includes search engine algorithms.
January 29, 2026 at 6:19 AM
(3) Require that all algorithms used to curate suggestions and content be open source. That includes search engine algorithms.
(2) Ban showing suggested content without the user specifically entering a part of the website/app that's designated for discovery. That includes banning the autoplay of anything that isn't a pre-defined user-selected playlist.
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January 29, 2026 at 6:16 AM
(2) Ban showing suggested content without the user specifically entering a part of the website/app that's designated for discovery. That includes banning the autoplay of anything that isn't a pre-defined user-selected playlist.
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I'm no expert, so take this with a big grain of salt, but the main practical legislative measures I envision are
(1) Require all social media and content platforms to show you a chronological feed with only your followed/subscribed accounts as the default, every time you log in.
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(1) Require all social media and content platforms to show you a chronological feed with only your followed/subscribed accounts as the default, every time you log in.
(...)
January 29, 2026 at 6:11 AM
I'm no expert, so take this with a big grain of salt, but the main practical legislative measures I envision are
(1) Require all social media and content platforms to show you a chronological feed with only your followed/subscribed accounts as the default, every time you log in.
(...)
(1) Require all social media and content platforms to show you a chronological feed with only your followed/subscribed accounts as the default, every time you log in.
(...)
Regarding my second comment, I was just trying to say legislation shouldn't get held back by any concerns about whether discovering content would get harder or less egalitarian without algorithmic suggestions. If that's a side effect of legislation, it might even be a good thing.
January 29, 2026 at 6:08 AM
Regarding my second comment, I was just trying to say legislation shouldn't get held back by any concerns about whether discovering content would get harder or less egalitarian without algorithmic suggestions. If that's a side effect of legislation, it might even be a good thing.
I'm so glad to see someone else saying this, especially someone with influence. I do think algorithmic feeds and autoplaying recommended videos is a huge part of how we got where we are.
January 28, 2026 at 9:05 PM
I'm so glad to see someone else saying this, especially someone with influence. I do think algorithmic feeds and autoplaying recommended videos is a huge part of how we got where we are.
And it needs to be the default. Any suggestions for other accounts and creators should be opt-in.
January 28, 2026 at 9:02 PM
And it needs to be the default. Any suggestions for other accounts and creators should be opt-in.
We've done just fine without algorithmically suggested content in the past. The main way we found new content to be interested in was word of mouth. It was recommendations from friends and acquaintances. I think going back to that would be great for us.
January 28, 2026 at 9:01 PM
We've done just fine without algorithmically suggested content in the past. The main way we found new content to be interested in was word of mouth. It was recommendations from friends and acquaintances. I think going back to that would be great for us.
I think the easiest first step is requiring companies to show chronological feeds of subscribed content as the default. They can include a discover section, but it has to be a list of accounts, not a list of content. Autoplaying should also be banned unless it's part of a user-selected playlist.
January 28, 2026 at 8:59 PM
I think the easiest first step is requiring companies to show chronological feeds of subscribed content as the default. They can include a discover section, but it has to be a list of accounts, not a list of content. Autoplaying should also be banned unless it's part of a user-selected playlist.
The first is good. The second, if taken too far, is how echo chambers happen.
January 6, 2026 at 6:32 PM
The first is good. The second, if taken too far, is how echo chambers happen.
I have an uncle who used to go to work on a snowmobile when he lived in Alaska. So not too far off.
December 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
I have an uncle who used to go to work on a snowmobile when he lived in Alaska. So not too far off.
Do you or anyone know if there's a link for that December 5 memo? I want to share it, but I'm not seeing anything in my searches.
December 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Do you or anyone know if there's a link for that December 5 memo? I want to share it, but I'm not seeing anything in my searches.
Wait, are you vaccinating your computers?
November 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Wait, are you vaccinating your computers?
Honestly something I've considered sometimes. I might actually give it a go next time.
November 13, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Honestly something I've considered sometimes. I might actually give it a go next time.
Imagine if each workspace had its own Desktop folder, though.
November 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Imagine if each workspace had its own Desktop folder, though.
Tried it once. 0/10. Would not recommend.
November 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Tried it once. 0/10. Would not recommend.
I waited to give up X and come to Bluesky until I saw you were here. I sincerely love following you.
October 24, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I waited to give up X and come to Bluesky until I saw you were here. I sincerely love following you.
I'm increasingly becoming convinced that the biggest problem with social media is algorithmic feeds. The fact that we just accept getting fed random content based on whatever is most likely to keep us engaged is crazy. And it's a tractable problem for legislation, too.
September 13, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I'm increasingly becoming convinced that the biggest problem with social media is algorithmic feeds. The fact that we just accept getting fed random content based on whatever is most likely to keep us engaged is crazy. And it's a tractable problem for legislation, too.
Dirigibles, aka dirigible balloons
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship...
Airship - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
June 28, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Dirigibles, aka dirigible balloons
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship...
The point I'm trying to make is that selling should also be on the table. Many just aren't cut out to be landlords. Reducing regulations means trading lower prices for proportionally crappier landlords. Making selling more appealing just makes prices lower.
May 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The point I'm trying to make is that selling should also be on the table. Many just aren't cut out to be landlords. Reducing regulations means trading lower prices for proportionally crappier landlords. Making selling more appealing just makes prices lower.
I don't pretend to have the exact details of how it all works. But there are already systems several locations, and they've been shown to work. It's a relatively new idea, so I'm sure there are still issues to iron out.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacancy...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacancy...
Vacancy tax - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
May 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I don't pretend to have the exact details of how it all works. But there are already systems several locations, and they've been shown to work. It's a relatively new idea, so I'm sure there are still issues to iron out.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacancy...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacancy...
Sure you can. You put higher property taxes on lightly used properties. If you have a residential property that's only used 10% of the year, your property taxes for the year are, say, 90% higher. Or you lump a person's properties together and do progressive tax rates.
May 13, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Sure you can. You put higher property taxes on lightly used properties. If you have a residential property that's only used 10% of the year, your property taxes for the year are, say, 90% higher. Or you lump a person's properties together and do progressive tax rates.
Ultimately, it's important to have disincentives to owning multiple properties that are empty most of the time, along with regulations for landlords. We want people to sell if they're not willing to properly landlord. That's how we solve the housing crisis.
May 13, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Ultimately, it's important to have disincentives to owning multiple properties that are empty most of the time, along with regulations for landlords. We want people to sell if they're not willing to properly landlord. That's how we solve the housing crisis.
(Yes, it's a joke about the Trump administration's photoshopped picture of Abrego Garcia's knuckle tattoos. But Poe's law is strong with this one.)
April 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
(Yes, it's a joke about the Trump administration's photoshopped picture of Abrego Garcia's knuckle tattoos. But Poe's law is strong with this one.)
Y'know, this is a really good point. The ability to edit is like Instagram filters, setting unrealistic expectations and removing a bit of the humanity.
April 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Y'know, this is a really good point. The ability to edit is like Instagram filters, setting unrealistic expectations and removing a bit of the humanity.
And they know that as long as they keep showing you bad people being punished and giving you that high of "justice served," they can do anything else they want and you'll ignore it.
March 28, 2025 at 2:28 AM
And they know that as long as they keep showing you bad people being punished and giving you that high of "justice served," they can do anything else they want and you'll ignore it.