Philipp Lorenz-Spreen, a researcher at Dresden University of Technology, has noticed a significant difference in his online interactions between X (formerly Twitter) and the new platform, Bluesky. While X’s algorithm-driven timeline can be overwhelming, Bluesky’s chronological feed allows smaller accounts to gain more attention, promoting a more democratic platform.
Researchers are starting to study how Bluesky’s unique features may impact discussions of research, workplace culture, and efforts to engage with the public. The lack of an algorithmic timeline may reduce some negative effects of social media, such as incentivizing conflict-driven posts. However, experts warn that as Bluesky grows, it may face pressure to monetize, potentially leading to a similar “enshittification” as other platforms.
Jay Van Bavel, a psychologist at New York University, notes that the absence of algorithms could reduce the incentive for posting provocative content, while Mark Carrigan, a digital sociologist at the University of Manchester, hopes that this shift could contribute to improving academic culture. Meanwhile, Kevin Munger, a computational social scientist, sees Bluesky’s sequestered nature as its biggest benefit, allowing academics to engage in specialized conversations.
A recent study by Manlio de Domenico, a physicist and network scientist at the University of Padua, found that Bluesky’s users tend to follow more accounts than those on X with similar follower numbers. While this could mean a less broadcast platform for large accounts, it is still early days for Bluesky, and its long-term impact remains to be seen. As the platform grows, experts caution that it may face similar pressures as other social media platforms, potentially leading to changes in user behavior and discourse.
Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/academic-bluesky-grows-researchers-find-strengths-and-shortcomings