It's frustrating that this topic keeps being discussed as if there are only two options. Why not provide each individual users with powerful tools that let them specify the type of content they want to see and when. They can have a large amount of presets and with a single button click users can change what they'll be seeing or they can spend some time and modify it to their liking. People can also share the filters they created. Even better create an open API and let companies compete with each other over who provides the best filters.
Moderation is important, but why leave it up to executives at these massive companies to decide what is acceptable and what isn't. Let each user decide for themselves.
> Why not provide each individual users with powerful tools that let them specify the type of content they want to see and when
Tools like adblock/ublock/etc dramatically improve user experience and performance on the internet, yet less than 30% of desktop users employ adblocking. Requiring end-users to set up filters to not be accosted by content that most people find objectionable will generally not be a winning proposition.
I don't think that is a good analogy. In this case these filters would be presented to you as you setup your account. In addition with filter sharing any user would only be one button press away from adopting someones else's filter. There could be a wide diversity of filters and users can change their filter by the minute. Imagine if browsers treated adblock/ublock/etc as integral parts of your experience and not as an extra add-on.
> Why not provide each individual users with powerful tools that let them specify the type of content they want to see and when.
Agreed, but that's the issue - many people don't want anyone to see some content because they are convinced such misinformation causes people they don't like to be elected, etc. I'm of the opinion that filtering is its own type of propaganda.
Moderation is important, but why leave it up to executives at these massive companies to decide what is acceptable and what isn't. Let each user decide for themselves.