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What causes online communities to lose quality discussion as they grow? (piefed.zip)

submitted 1 day ago by MindfulMaverick@piefed.zip to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I've noticed a pattern where once a subreddit or Lemmy community reaches a certain size, the front page becomes mostly memes, recycled jokes, and lowest common denominator content. Genuine discussion gets pushed out unless the community is extremely strictly moderated for it.

What do you think causes this shift? Is it inevitable with the upvote/downvote system rewarding quick, agreeable content over nuanced takes? Or are there platforms or moderation approaches that successfully scale discussion without turning into an echo chamber?

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[–] Paragone@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If you're the one who did the post on that .. ?Russian? 10-kg river/fishing owl, then Thank You: that was a wonderful treat!

_ /\ _

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 23 hours ago

Most likely that will have been one of mine. The Blakistons Fish Owl. It lives in Siberia and Hokkaido.

I just found a book of Ainu folk tales called The Song the Owl God Sang and the first story is about the god that inhabits that owl in their beliefs. They have quite the pantheon, but their 3 main gods are the bear, the wolf, and that big chonky owl. Neat stuff!

That fish owl is difficult to find photos of, so it's always extra special when I come across them. I need to get the book Owls of the Eastern Ice next. It is all about a guy's 5 year adventure with them.

I'm glad you found something you enjoyed. I try to find things that should impress anyone, and the owls always deliver!