> I think the idea is we need diversity in online social media. I'd like to see human editors come back.
People have tried. Either highly-moderated networks or "middle of the line" media. Other than a few exceptions (Real Clear Politics comes to mind), they've all failed. It's unfortunately clear that people don't want this.
That's the key insight. It's not Facebook's or Twitter's decisions that have lead to a divisive discourse.
It's that given an option to express themselves on social media, people like expressing strong tribalism the most. And then, all you need is to add even a hint of recommendation engine boosting more engaging content to the top (a very reasonable idea, heck, HN does that) and you have a vicious cycle.
Yes, but that is a feature of the human race which is exacerbated, when it should be sublimated, by the way that FB works. Long, thoughtful posts are discouraged through lack of proper editing tools, deep narcissism is nurtured via "likes", algorithms target the lizard brain rather than the neocortex. Agency in controlling your feed is minimized. FB encourages, manipulates and monetizes our worst instincts. I hope that the fine people working there can make some changes when they finally save enough money to buy back their conscience.
People have tried. Either highly-moderated networks or "middle of the line" media. Other than a few exceptions (Real Clear Politics comes to mind), they've all failed. It's unfortunately clear that people don't want this.