email is probably a good place to look at prior art here. I also dream of the day I can easily move between relay(s) sort of how you can move between subreddits. filtering is applicable here, too.
Discussion
oh wow yeah I think we are getting there slowly!
The problem is that if relays become subject-specific, then it is highly centralized for that topic (like federations). The relay runner becomes the de facto "moderator" (dictator) for censorship, like Reddit.
If enough people care they’ll recreate, rebroadcast, or start their own relay.
But it's difficult to communicate to others to "check out my new relay!" when the relay you post that to (who has the people you care about) is censoring you. Even if you succeed, it turns into factions that become echo chambers. This is exactly like Reddit, and if Nostr ends up that way, then I'd probably rather be on Reddit.
I've been thinking about this a long time, and I don't have a good answer. Hopefully some smart people here have something.
I think a start will be finding ways to help people use #hashtags (by suggesting or automating), then teaching peeps to subscribe to hashtags.
It's also about spending time following (and unfollowing!) users to create your optimized experience.
What we're trying to do is have the most beautifully-curated feed possible, with total user control.