So then this is just a shorter explanation, and not "publishing" the algorithm? Because before already anyone could read the code and understand how it works, it would have just taken longer.

[–] FrankLaskey@lemmy.ml 67 points 19 hours ago

Technically, yes the info would be available but not everyone is able to read code so this is a welcome additional bit of info and transparency. I also see it as an example of how future open source social media platforms can promote and demonstrate the way their algorithms work as opposed to the black boxes of proprietary web apps like Instagram etc (which, while not algorithmically transparent or open, have been pretty well established to have algorithms that prioritize maximizing time on platform and engagement over all else with some serious negative repercussions for that).

[–] Chozo@fedia.io 49 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

anyone could read the code and understand how it works

"Anyone" is doing some heavy lifting here.

[–] fushuan@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 4 hours ago

Sorry for being pedantic since your comment is true anyway, but "could" is the one doing the heavy lifting.

[–] OpticalMoose@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 16 hours ago

The same way "anyone" could make an HTML5 compliant browser. The reality is you can't do it unless Google lets you.

[–] cosmicrookie@lemmy.world 22 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

Personally, I would not be able to understand this, looking at the code (or any code). I appreciere that they shared a visualization of it. If you're hung up on the word "publish" instead of "share", "posts" or "shows", then I think its redundant