If you ran a social media app, what would you do different?

[SugarSugarplum]

I'll go first:

• No one gets banned, throttled, or labelled without a complete written explanation.
• The algorithm looks at the newest posts first, then your follows.
• Every request from Law Enforcement, State actors, Corporations is immediately posted on the site.
• The site will NOT record or even track your IP address without a warrant.
• There will be NO ID verification.

[ChiTown33]

I've said before I'd make the "sexual" topic a separate part of this site. Because that is where 85% of the degenerates of this website reside. I know there are legitimate sexual questions but most are NOT. And it taints this entire website.

Secondly I would put a limit on anon posts. The anon feature has it's place. I get needing to use it to ask question a user might find embarrassing or something to that effect. But a person does not need it for EVERY question. We're already faceless behind a computer screen (well, most of us. I'm not).

I like your idea about written explanations. It would clear up a lot of confusion on violations on reports. Because ANYONE who reads the rules can clearly see it's written in away that can GREATLY left up to interpretation. Though I don't know if you mean reports, or getting blocked by other members, or both. I personally don't think I owe anyone an explanation if I block someone, nor them me. Sure, it's a little annoying to have someone block you seemingly out of the blue. But I know who I am, I know what I mean when I post something. And would not deliberately besmirch anyone. So if someone is too much of snowflake, is easily triggered to not understand that, I consider that they just did me a favor by blocking me. I just block them back and move on with my life. I would recommend other do the same.

[SherwoodGladiator]

I'm quite surprised that you want to put a limit to the Anon feature, as in the past you had been in favor of the feature and had actually defended its use on some of your previous posts. That's a 180 change

[ChiTown33]

@SherwoodGladiator no sir, you misunderstand. Or misunderstood me then. I STILL use the anon feature a majority of the time. Maybe even as much as 80-85%. But I also said last time I do it as protection. As I've been stalked on here just for having an opinion someone unhinged didn't like. I also stated last time that if the anonymous feature was limited and I didn't feel comfortable responding to a question I simply wouldn't. I'd be willing to give up my seat, or my anonymity on this site if it meant wiping out the trolls. I don't know that I've ever been fully in favor of the anon feature. Maybe you caught me right after I'd been stalked?
But it's nice to know someone's listening.

[SherwoodGladiator]

Oh ok lol, I misunderstood then, or may not remember well; my apologies.
I personally think there's way too much hatred towards Anons on the site. I mean if people think that a question is silly, they can just ignore it, or report it (if it goes against the rules of the site). Just because something is silly doesn't necessarily mean it's a troll post though.
Also, I'm sure there are people, who use the feature for the exact same way to avoid being stalked, or maybe they're just private people and don't want others messaging them.

[Skinhead-1979]

I certainly agree with you on 'Anon Posts'.

While there is a place for it when people want to speak freely about uncomfortable things which have happened to them (I've done that only once)... I am getting accused and harassed more and more by people who are anonymous; I can't stand these cowards.

[ChiTown33]

@Skinhead-1979 I think you and @sherwoodgladiator are both right. I think there are people who use the anon feature to bully and harass people. And I do think there are people that post silly posts because that's thier nature or what have you. But they are read by people who are easily triggered or the subject touches on a sore spot with them.
All I'm saying is (and I think @sherwoodgladiator got it) that if someone is only allowed to post a certain amount of times anon in a day (kind of like the limit of questions). Then it severely inhibits thier ability to troll if that is thier intent.

[BetaBucks]

I agree with all of this, except it's illegal to disclose government legal requests. The way around that is with "canaries." These are updated posts to each user, every day to say that no legal requests have been made. They can discontinue the posts at any time.

This is especially useful in countries that don't have freedom of speech. People all over the world get forced into cages over making unapproved comments. This would help protect that basic human right.

I would add on to the "no IP" thing by saying that no user records need to be kept of any kind. Especially device login records. Only financial institutions need to keep all records, so just don't keep any permanent record. The basic human right to express yourself (even if it's a BetaBucks is a loser that deserves to suffer thread) should be protected at all costs. No one should ever be imprisoned again for having the wrong opinion. It's evil, medieval thinking, and it's sad how many people still support it.

[Anonymous]

-Bring back the downvote button

And

-Get rid of AI bots. I honestly don't see the point of having bots on a Q&A forum like Gag, where most questions are opinion-based. Most people are on this site to get feedback and advice from actual people with real-life experience, which is something that robots don't have.

[dudegreat91]

Yeah but the number of opinions and replies have really reduced in past couple of years. Last time I was here with my old profile, questions would get a lot of opinions. Not anymore, so AI might have been a good step in that direction.

[Opinion Owner]

@dudegreat91 The reason the number of opinions and replies, as well as the number of active users have been reduced, is because the site made a lot of bad decisions over the years such as getting rid of downvote button, adding all these new bots, as well as changing the layout of the site and not listening to their users' feedback.
Personally, I think that a lot of people had been put off by all these changes (especially with the new interface) and left the site, or aren't as active as they used

[dudegreat91]

Perhaps. I came here after 7 years, & the user number has fallen drastically. at least the genuine ones

[dudegreat91]

I'm thinking that now I should finally become active on reddit. But the users there suck. They're really judgmental and you get blocked from subs when you don't agree to their opinions. At least that's what I'm told happens

[Opinion Owner]

@dudegreat91 I've found this site is the least toxic compared to other social media apps, that's why I'm still on here. Quora was also good, but it's dead now as it's full of bots and trolls.
Reddit is a hit or miss. People on some subs can be friendly and helpful, whereas other subs are quite toxic

[dudegreat91]

Yeah even I find it much better than reddit. Reddit allows users to be more anonymous that is why perhaps people there have the option of being more toxic. I like here that its somewhat easier to spot bots and trolls

[dudegreat91]

Its funny though that AI talks about taking trips to different countries and all

[Opinion Owner]

@dudegreat91 yeah at least here there are lots of options to deal with trolls or toxic/unpleasant people: you can block, report them, mute a conversation or turn off replies to a comment and go Anon, when replying to a controversial question. These options can prevent harassment/bullying

[Skinhead-1979]

First of all I would not harvest people's data and sell it to the highest bidder; I do not a history of hacking and I respect people privacy.

Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook after he had been caught stealing personal information of Female Harvard University for his 'Hot or Not' site.

So, Mark made a site on which people VOLUNTARILY places all their data free for him to harvest and sell onto the highest bidder.

Second: I will not silence people who hold different views than I do as long as people are decent in projecting their views and do not spread any hatred nor violence.

[Skinhead-1979]

Thirdly: Completely free of advertisements and I will not pretend I know people by bombarding them with suggested posts/ groups or 'people you may know'.

[strateguy632]

Your rules self contradict.

1, that iis not "different " they give reasons here "grammar, nonsense offensive" for censor or ban.

2 newest? That changes every minute it must just "catch up".

3 it is not your business.

4 ip conflicted your first one! They need ip for your login and to ban the harassers!

5 need id verification to make an account or else can't ban stalkers. Your website, stalkers are the only ones left.

My change, 1

replies should show newest top not old ones on top. In time order.

2 if something is an opinion without accusation protect with lenient rules, even typo grammar, insted of using grammar an excuse to hide opinions like grammar nazis.

3 if something is an accusation allow category report "accusation " to avoid lible even true don't host.

[dudegreat91]

Hmm depends on what kind of social media application it would be. Some things I'll like are:

1. Mandatory govt. id verification.
2. Monthly offline meetup for members of app.
3. Would also include your Law Enforcement suggestion.
4. Ban for one month on any racist comments. Continuous offenders to be completely banned. Ban on inappropriate behavior towards female members.
5. I would also try to include some language exchange features.
6. Subject to the above, freedom of opinion to be there.
7. A group call feature for all the connection.
8. Would add more in comment to this opinion if I can think of something more :P

[normalice]

There is nothing that can be done that can't be exploited by paid right wing trolls. I think I'd try to arrange everyone by physical proximity so those trolls using proxy servers just end up talking to each other.

[DrPepper12]

Great idea but theyll have a workaround within a weekend

[SpeedAnswerDemon]

What if I say I love minors and all they write down to report me is that I said I love minors, it's not enough detail so I'm safe?

I do not fear the report button any longer

[OtterMan68]

It would be for polite political discourse: no name calling, no derogatory terms, no deep fakes.

It would be like X for mature adults

[DrPepper12]

I would do EXACTLY the opposite of what the space nazi does

[Marsup]

I'll ban People who do not identify as male or female

[moneymagnet24]

Hey cutie..
I will be the first one to download your smart social media app.

[jack1924]

I would make it family friendly

[SugarSugarplum]

You *do* realize that would require thousands of people to monitor posts, and it would attract every pedo on the planet.

[jack1924]

I’ll use AI to monitor and put lots of restrictions and identification, will make it harder for pedophiles and sick people so they will stay away from the app

[SpeedAnswerDemon]

Family = kids, tis true

[NathanDavis]

shut it down...

[In_Trance]

I wouldn't allow Anons

[msc545]

I would not run one to begin with.

[BLP11520]

Stop dick and boob comments