Technically, yes the info would be available but not everyone is able to read code so this is a welcome additional bit of info and transparency. I also see it as an example of how future open source social media platforms can promote and demonstrate the way their algorithms work as opposed to the black boxes of proprietary web apps like Instagram etc (which, while not algorithmically transparent or open, have been pretty well established to have algorithms that prioritize maximizing time on platform and engagement over all else with some serious negative repercussions for that).

anyone could read the code and understand how it works

"Anyone" is doing some heavy lifting here.

Personally, I would not be able to understand this, looking at the code (or any code). I appreciere that they shared a visualization of it. If you're hung up on the word "publish" instead of "share", "posts" or "shows", then I think its redundant

The same way "anyone" could make an HTML5 compliant browser. The reality is you can't do it unless Google lets you.

I suppose that by using the word “publish”, I made it sound like the algorithm had been private until this point. I could probably have chosen a better phrasing like “published breakdown illustration”.

Edit: I’ve updated the title.