There have been a number of design changes to GH the last 1-2 years that I have found lacking forethought. The new layout that wastes space, the decrease in contrast that makes the site more difficult to read, and of course the feed which has decreased in utility and increased in noise as you describe nicely here. I have started unfollowing people and unstarring projects just to reduce the noise.

They seem to have lost their way since the M$ purchase.

Thanks a lot. I wish they did a better job with the social, particularly the feed.

agreed, they dropped the ball on that one. No chat, The new discussion feature is pretty subpar, so difficult to search...