I think blocks and follows work pretty good. With all the algos on other sites and all the targeted content out there, it's sometimes difficult to get a feel for general trends or to learn what the "other side" is thinking.
I go out of my way to try consume content from sources or people that I ordinarily wouldn't come across just so I can maintain some kind of perspective and not end up in an echo chamber.
Also, I think not having the algo is more fair, especially for folks who may not have talent or skills to get their stuff through the filter.