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by intothemild 123 days ago
Watching all these open source, federated versions of social media platforms is like if you found out your favourite drug was actually manufactured by some really bad people and made people around the world suffer. So you make an open source version of the drug. Similar formula, just this time the people can own it.

Sure you cut out the bad people, but is the situation improved now?
3 comments
groestl 123 days ago
There are projects where long term addicts are given pure medical heroin (Diamorphin) in a controlled environment, and they do considerably better than their control group who does not receive their drugs like that.

E.g. https://patrida.de/

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cornholio 123 days ago
Their drug is rage, thirst and cute trap videos generated by AI and selected for maximum engagement.

If it's not harmful it's not the same drug. Unlike diamorphine, a medical grade supply does not reduce harm; it's more like sniffing glue, inhaling poison to escape reality.

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dbdr 123 days ago
The harm from social media is at least in part caused by the feed suggestion algorithm being optimized for screen time (aka addiction). Potentially open social media where the suggestion algorithm is not that could be a big improvement.
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pjc50 123 days ago
That's no way to talk about Open-Cola.
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