As clients implement WoT filtering based on follow lists, the meaning of "follow" might become more like "endorsement", whether we like it or not. Your followers might complain / unfollow if your follows bring unwanted content to their feed. Other lists would be used when you just want to follow without endorsing.
Discussion
Encrypted lists are important for this reason. They aren’t widely implemented yet.
Nostur allows to follow silently. Using only lists (zero following) kills the WoT since there’s nothing to follow publicly unless the private lists are shared.
Yet, less signaling, and its consequences.
I think people will use both. Lists for more risky follows, follows for closer friends.
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Q: What does it “mean” to follow someone?
A: The meaning flows from how we use it.
True of a lot of things, not just follows.