I'm just still not convinced that it can't be avoided because of following/unfollowing, ability to completely block users, as well as domains. Plus the filtering controls that do not exist yet but will. The downfall, I think, would have to be comprised of two things. MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE amounts of traffic resulting in an avalanche of new users, along with complexity in the UI design of Hubski's filtering controls such that they are not breathlessly simple and intuitive and apparent enough to the newest users to be functional and useful. If Hubski can nail the UI for filters to the point where the newest users are aware of them and can use them effectively, then I think it'll be pretty good. The last great threat will be in the comments section of threads where, due to popularity, a massive horizontal influx of comments of low quality show up in numbers where it is too hard to block that many users (or the comments aren't bad enough to warrant blocking someone you don't know, but they are collectively 'meh' and uninspiring or otherwise not great).
I wonder what might cause an influx like that. On reddit I sometimes see people blame it on /r/gonewild, but I'd be surprised if that were the only reason. Somehow I can't see a hubskigonewild happening. Hubski: ass, cash or badge. No one rides free. Except everyone.
. The last great threat will be in the comments section of threads where, due to popularity, a massive horizontal influx of comments of low quality show up in numbers where it is too hard to block that many users (or the comments aren't bad enough to warrant blocking someone you don't know, but they are collectively 'meh' and uninspiring or otherwise not great).
What if you had the ability to see only the comments made by people that you follow? I don't see a need for this right now, but if Hubski had the sort of traffic you're alluding to, that could be a useful way to maintain the integrity of your experience.
Well, I'd say the majority of insight in comments comes from people you don't know already once a site reaches a massive scale....along with e majority of crap. If you only see who you follow you can't leverage the great many unknown contributors that are often experts in niche areas and minutiae...so I'd personally be wary of this.
I would agree with that, if ever something like this existed it would be best used as a toggle. Something to easily switch on/off. The vast majority of the people I end up following happen after I read a comment of theirs. It's the best kind of discovery IMO.