There are thoughtful people whose opinions I value regardless of topic. Doesn't mean I agree with them. Right now AFAIK the only {way} to see their content is to look at their profile.

There are 'friends' on Reddit as well.

This would make a lot of sense when it comes to integration with Mastodon, even if Lemmy isn't exactly made for following specific people.

Different ways to present mostly the same data.

On twitter, facebook, etc you follow people. Then the algorithm creates a bubble where you only get opinions and points of views you “like”.

But when you use reddit/lemmy the algorithms are based on popularity , which makes it vulnerable demagogy and other cognitive biases (like the tendency of the human mind to be a cognitive miser).

If a chain is as strong as it's weakest link, it is better to use multiple chains, following users allows following people who are experts and extremely knowledgeable (andrew huberman for example).