Yeah  I’m mistaken about the protocol layer as the place where mutes of replies and mentions should happen. Based on some conversations today it makes the most sense that the clients and relays screen for these. 

In terms of filtering out the random jerks - other protocols are experimenting with mute lists - similar to what you suggest above and I think it’s a good option for Nostr as well. A user can subscribe to a mute list of their choice based on whatever criteria they have - it could be words / content or people. Another framing is feed curation. 

The beauty of Nostr at its basic level is that the user is in control of their feed, rather than an algorithm. Sorting through harassment challenges makes that control truly possible.  

 Exactly. If I don't want to see a post, then I need to be the one to make that choice. And the reverse is also true. If I do want to see a post, I need to be the one in control. Giving algorithms or advertisements control of pushing and pulling is what I hate about all of the other centralized corporate social media networks. It's why we are here instead of there. Because nobody else has control.