"And You Will Know Us by the Company We Keep — Remains of the Day" is an article that delves into the problem of graph design in social media apps. The author discusses how the social graph, consisting of who a user follows and who follows them, plays a crucial role in shaping the user experience and the content they see on these platforms.

"And You Will Know Us by the Company We Keep — Remains of the Day" is an article that delves into the problem of graph design in social media apps. The author discusses how the social graph, consisting of who a user follows and who follows them, plays a crucial role in shaping the user experience and the content they see on these platforms.

The article highlights the design mistake of over-attributing user behavior to innate nature rather than considering the social context in which they interact. It suggests that building an interest graph, which focuses on users' interests rather than their social connections, could provide a more optimal experience for users. This interest graph could be quickly and cheaply created at scale, allowing for real-time adjustments to users' evolving tastes.

The problem with approximating an interest graph with a social graph is that social graphs have negative network effects that become apparent at scale. The article uses Twitter as an example, explaining how users are not interested in everything from every person they follow. The relevance and quality of the content on social media platforms heavily depend on who users follow.

Furthermore, the article discusses how graph design problems can be particularly dangerous to social media companies because they are difficult to reverse. Once a social graph has crystallized, it becomes challenging to undo or change without violating users' expectations. This creates a double bind for these companies, where they are stuck between maintaining the status quo or risking user churn.

The article suggests several actionable pieces of advice to address the graph design problem. First, it proposes removing the burden of unfollowing accounts that no longer interest users. This could help prevent users from being overwhelmed by a large number of accounts they follow. Additionally, the article mentions decoupling a user's content feed from their social graph, similar to how TikTok constructs a relevant feed without users having to follow specific accounts.

The article also discusses the financial aspect of social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of feed relevance for advertising revenue. Many apps opt to patch the problem of graph design by switching to an algorithmic feed. However, this does not address the root problem of sourcing stories from the social graph.

The article concludes by encouraging the next generation of social product teams to be proactive in thinking about the type of social graph that will offer the best user experience. It suggests that graph design should be used offensively to create unique graphs that encode valuable intelligence. The goal is to foster serendipity, friendliness, and rawness in online spaces.

In a related article titled "Welcome to the Spontaneous Internet," the focus shifts to next-generation social platforms that prioritize spontaneity, social interaction, and rawness. The author predicts that 2021 will see a rush to create new online spaces that bring a sense of serendipity and humanity to the internet.

The article highlights the concept of open spaces, where users can hang out in servers, clubs, or rooms. Platforms like Clubhouse and Discord are mentioned as examples of apps that provide spaces for users to listen in on conversations or actively contribute to discussions. These platforms create a sense of excitement and immediacy, bringing a much-needed human touch to online interactions.

Other platforms mentioned in the article include Dispo, which focuses on spontaneous and unedited photo sharing, and Parsec, which enables remote access to computers in a network. Each of these platforms offers unique features that enhance the user experience and foster a sense of spontaneity.

The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of designing for immediacy and creating new online spaces for users to hang out. It suggests that the key to success for these platforms lies in providing a platform that allows for serendipitous interactions and a more authentic and unfiltered online experience.

In summary, both articles touch on the importance of graph design in social media platforms and the need to create more spontaneous, social, and raw online spaces. They provide insights into the challenges faced by social media companies and offer actionable advice for improving the user experience. By considering the social context and focusing on users' interests, these platforms can create a more engaging and personalized experience for their users.