Bluesky Gets a Thumbs Down: Experimenting with Dislikes and “Social Proximity” for Better Conversations
Tired of doomscrolling through endless feeds of negativity? Bluesky, the decentralized social network backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is taking a novel approach to curating your experience. Instead of solely relying on likes and follows, they’re experimenting with dislikes and a concept called “social proximity” to foster more meaningful and relevant conversations. But will these changes truly lead to a healthier online environment, or simply create echo chambers?
The Dislike Button: A Silent Signal for a Better Feed
The headline might be a little misleading: Bluesky isn’t implementing a public-facing dislike button for the masses to pile on. Instead, they’re beta-testing a private dislike button that users can use to signal what kind of content they don’t want to see in their Discover feed. Think of it as a gentle nudge to the algorithm, a silent vote against certain topics or types of posts. This discreet approach aims to avoid the toxicity often associated with public downvote systems, which can easily be weaponized for harassment and pile-ons.
This private dislike button allows for nuanced feedback. Perhaps you’re tired of political arguments, or maybe you’re not interested in sports content. By disliking posts related to these topics, you’re essentially telling Bluesky’s algorithm to prioritize content you’re more likely to find engaging and positive. This approach differs significantly from simply unfollowing accounts, as it allows you to express preferences at a more granular level.
The success of this experiment hinges on its implementation. Bluesky will need to carefully calibrate the algorithm to ensure that dislikes are interpreted correctly and don’t inadvertently filter out valuable or diverse perspectives. Transparency about how the dislike button influences the algorithm will also be crucial to build user trust.
Social Proximity: Finding Your Online Neighborhood
Beyond dislikes, Bluesky is doubling down on the idea of “social proximity” to create a more personalized and relevant experience. The goal is to build a system that understands your place within a “social neighborhood” – a network of people you already interact with or are likely to enjoy knowing.
Imagine a social network that prioritizes content from people who share your interests, engage in similar conversations, and are connected to your existing network. That’s the vision behind Bluesky’s social proximity experiment. By prioritizing replies and posts from this “neighborhood,” the platform aims to make conversations feel more relevant, familiar, and less prone to misunderstandings. This approach seeks to combat the feeling of being lost in a sea of anonymous voices, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
This approach could dramatically change how we experience social media. Instead of being bombarded with trending topics and viral content from strangers, we would see more content from people within our extended network, leading to more engaging discussions and a stronger sense of connection. For example, if you consistently interact with accounts focused on indie music, Bluesky would prioritize posts and replies from other indie music enthusiasts, creating a more focused and fulfilling experience.
Potential Pitfalls and Ethical Considerations
While these experiments hold promise, they also raise some important questions. How will Bluesky define “social proximity” and ensure that the algorithm doesn’t inadvertently create echo chambers? Will users be trapped in filter bubbles, only exposed to viewpoints that reinforce their existing beliefs? Maintaining diversity of thought and preventing polarization will be crucial challenges.
The private dislike button also requires careful consideration. How will Bluesky ensure that the data collected through dislikes is used ethically and responsibly? Will users have control over their dislike history and the ability to opt out of the experiment altogether? Transparency and user agency will be paramount to building trust and avoiding accusations of manipulation.
The Future of Social Media: More Personal, Less Toxic?
Bluesky’s experiments with dislikes and social proximity represent a bold attempt to reimagine social media. By prioritizing relevance, familiarity, and user control, the platform aims to create a healthier and more engaging online environment. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on careful implementation, ethical considerations, and a commitment to transparency. Only time will tell if these changes will truly transform the social media landscape, but Bluesky’s efforts offer a glimmer of hope for a more positive and meaningful online future.