I'd like to add that the ignore option is more effective then reddit's subscribe option. As soon as i see some tag in the global feed I don't wish to be part of I ignore and my content remains a steady flow of quality.
we must have different definitions for circlejerking, clearly.
I don't really see the issue with that or why that should be tainted as a circlejerk? Don't we already aggregate into groups based on similar interests? A circlejerk is humorous self-deprecating fun-poking or an uber-serious mutual self-patting-on-the-back
I think I can understand that fear - but I like being in control. I actually follow people I disagree with, by conscious choice. It adds to the discussion. It keeps things fresh and interesting. I could cocoon away with some people that make me feel good about myself. But instead I keep a group of people in my feed that challenge the way I think and disbelieve the things I believe in. If I miss an intelligent post made by some one I ignore because they usually post pictures of unicorns, cats and narwhals, well, then I miss out. But I also miss all of the noise. (not that there's anything wrong with unicorns, cats, and narwhals).
it's up to us, right? we get to control the flow. I've misunderstood people, and I've been misunderstood. I had to control myself and hold back the inner flame-troll and just keep it civil. And in the end, I still don't agree with some people... but I follow a few of them just to keep things interesting.
That's probably the better way to go about it, it's still pretty tedious to ignore all these tags in my feed that I just don't care about or want to avoid. It'd be nice if there was a way to follow a tag, like #history, and have all of the posts with that tag be given more weight in your feed.