Part Seven: Algorithmic Mysteries

Like the Master, nubi was becoming a truly respected Digg user. He could frontpage about half of what he tried to, and he was starting to be able to feel how much of the Digg Nature any given story had. However, the seeming inconsistincies of the algorithm that made stories Ascend sometimes drove him to madness.

He decided to ask the Master about it. "Master, why is it that my story with 217 diggs did not make the front page, yet another of my own stories Ascended with less than 150 Diggs?"

"Did you look at who Dugg those stories?"

"Well no, but..."

As was his habit, the Master cut him off. "But nothing. The most important thing you can do is to see who Diggs your stories. If it's all the same people who Dugg your last story, or your last 5 stories, or your last 10 stories, the Algorithm values them far less."

After pondering a moment, nubi responded "So it's back to that whole "your friends' Diggs are worth less" thing. I suppose I can deal with that."

"It isn't just friends, nubi. It's anyone who regularly Diggs your stuff."

"So, what should I do? Tell my friends all NOT to Digg a few stories of mine?"

"I would suggest increasing the size of your audience."

"How will I do that, Master?"

"By submitting content good enough that your friends want to show their friends."

At this, nubi was enlightened. However, the Master continued on.

"There is another theory about the Algorithm, however. A dark theory, that I have been coming to believe as of late."

"And what might that be, Master?"

"That the final arbiter that chooses whether a story makes the frontpage, or not, is not an algorithm at all, but an algorithm-assisted Digg staffer."

"How could that be? No one could stay up for twenty-four hours a day, Master."

"Multiple staffers then, but the theory is the same. There is, indeed, human intervention on this site."

"And how do we get around that, Master? If the human behind the Algorithm doesn't want us to make the front page, what then?"

"Be happy that at least your friends see it."

At this, nubi was, again, enlightened.