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This solution exists: the old bbcode style of flat forum. If one posts in a thread, they get pinged for all new activity in it, as all previous posters get pinged for the new reply. Flat layout means that all comments are top level, and specific replies are tags or quotes.
You can’t fix a user problem with tech.
That’s not always true, and something that seems like a user problem might well be encouraged by the format itself.
Like, Reddit having a shitload of stupid bullshit reposted fluff content isn’t an accident - it’s encouraged by intentional programming choices that actually detect low-engagement, fluff content and actively reward it.
They want lots of pageviews, lots of adviews, so they lower the value of upvotes if the user spends time reading the content and comes back and upvotes when they realize they like it. Chapo has WAY higher effort posts than the majority of reddit, even (maybe especially) compared to r/chapotraphouse. That’s because we have control over the algorithm and specifically select for high-engagement, high-discussion, good content.
Subtle algorithmic and usability changes can literally reprogram user behavior. But yeah, little obstructive tweaks aren’t gonna change how people want to communicate
