Comment by toomuchtodo
2 years ago
I think there’s a place for something like Stack Overflow to replace Stack Overflow, using similar primitives to Bluesky (where you can choose who to block). This avoids the quality and temperament of the mods infringing on the user base. Perhaps you could even build this on top of Bluesky (and the AT protocl) itself.
It’s just about who has the control over what is seen and shared. Let the users vote, annotate, block, etc.
I don't think the problem is blocking, the environment it was built on was sterile. We had large forums back then where people would discuss anything, build community at the off topic channels (like the venerable JavaRanch) but there was no such thing at SO because it was actively trying to kill any off topic discussion.
The site itself was built on a platform of being a tool alone, where people shouldn't interact unless it was to ask a question or provide an answer. I have made friends and met multiple people from the multiple forums and user groups I was a member of but I met 0 people at SO even though i contributed hundreds of answers.
So it's no wonder it produced this mechanistic and toxic environment. It saddens me we lost so much of these niche communities to this thing.
How would you build it from scratch to avoid the pitfalls you mention? And to enable ongoing cultivation? No need to reply here, homework to think about :)