Thank you for the recognition that global optimization requires global knowledge. There are no rules that can be applied to independent posts which will result in the desired mix of frontpage posts, especially if those rules are public and Goodhart-able.
Having a policy “we promote a few lighter-weight posts that may interest a smaller portion of our readership each week, even when they don’t meet the formal criteria” crosses boundaries, but leads to the desired results.
That’s a pretty moderator-judgement-heavy statement, which may or may not fit the definition of “a rule”. But it’s required for the actual desired mix of levity and seriousness.
Thank you for the recognition that global optimization requires global knowledge. There are no rules that can be applied to independent posts which will result in the desired mix of frontpage posts, especially if those rules are public and Goodhart-able.
Having a policy “we promote a few lighter-weight posts that may interest a smaller portion of our readership each week, even when they don’t meet the formal criteria” crosses boundaries, but leads to the desired results.
That’s a pretty moderator-judgement-heavy statement, which may or may not fit the definition of “a rule”. But it’s required for the actual desired mix of levity and seriousness.