[Llamamoe]

Sure, different forms of social media could exist. And then get outcompeted by as you aptly call it "algorithmic-based attention-maximizing recommendation machines".

Even if you introduced regulations against many of these practices, corporations would still strive to optimise this aspect of their platforms in different ways.

Even if we removed capitalistic incentives from the equation, more attention-grabbing platforms would still be selected for.

I'm not saying it's an intractable problem, but rather that this outcome is happening for a very good reason.

[sebastialonso]

Yes, because it's not intractable. It's just a good definition and statement of the problem. Without that, you can even being thinking about solutions or make sensible assessments.

Sharks are not vicious killing machines. Hungry and aggressive instances of sharks are killing machines.

[Llamamoe]

You'd need to somehow get rid of every predatory platform that exists to even entertain the notion of people making the switch to a new, less-engaging one.