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When thinking of the real value of Twitter, I end up thinking about how it seemed when it was first on the scene. For a short while, users as a group were using
by damnesian 3y ago
When thinking of the real value of Twitter, I end up thinking about how it seemed when it was first on the scene. For a short while, users as a group were using it "correctly" (or maybe "usefully," or "sanely"): reporters found it to be a great way to get breaking stories out in the public sphere. I remember what for me remains "peak" Twitter- following a favorite investigative journalist who happened to be near ground zero of a hunt for a dangerous criminal. He gave up-to-the-minute updates that read like the best crime fiction. When the guy was apprehended, the nation uttered a sigh of relief that one could feel, and Twitter made me feel like I was if not on the scene, at least had an incredibly candid perspective on it.
The worst I've ever seen from Twitter is our attempts to have a "global conversation" about nothing. It's like the erratic chatter at the end of a party when we all have to start contemplating our real lives, start begging people for rides or if we're needy, squeezing a little more ego stroking before the sun rises. It's depressing, moody and manipulative and feels dirty and gritty like tired smoke-irritated eyes. It and Threads can both go away and I'd be perfectly happy.
- leetharris 3y agoI find comments like that your last sentence so bizarre. Just don't use them and you can still be happy? Millions of people use and enjoy X, it's ok if you don't.
- Robotbeat 3y agoThe problem is the East Coast media still spends way too much time on these things. The worst culture war takes end up getting articles written about them. It’s like our sociopolitical landscape is determined by the most insane 100 people in the country with access to the Internet.
- leetharris 3y agoTotally fair. The societal impact is hard to unpack, especially in context of many minor changes.
- losteric 3y agoYour post basically says "it's bizarre you're expressing your opinion, don't do that" - that is not healthy for productive conversation (ironically op's point about those products) It's ok to express negative opinions about why one doesn't use something. Other people benefit from learning from a valid dissenting view
- rvz 3y ago> Your post basically says "it's bizarre you're expressing your opinion, don't do that" - that is not healthy for productive conversation (ironically op's point about those products) No it doesn't. They're just saying, millions are still using and enjoying Twitter / X and that is fine. If you don't like it, that is also fine and you can still be happy anyway. I don't see a problem with that. There is no need to misinterpret the comment.
- macintux 3y agoThe fact that Twitter and Facebook are driving divisiveness and misinformation definitely impacts my life, regardless of my lack of engagement with the platforms.
- rvz 3y agoIf you don't like those websites, you are free to block them for yourself if they are spreading 'misinformation'. You can still be happy with blocking them and that is also fine.
- curtisblaine 3y agoBut you can (and you should want to) only control what you consume. You can't control what others decide to like and consume, even if, in your personal opinion, it drives misinformation.
- Clubber 3y ago>Your post basically says "it's bizarre you're expressing your opinion, don't do that" - that is not healthy for productive conversation (ironically op's point about those products) Ironically, you just did the same thing to his post.
- randomdata 3y ago> reporters found it to be a great way to get breaking stories out in the public sphere. Isn't that how it is still used? At least with a weather bent? That's about all I ever see in my Twitter feed is information about upcoming weather risks, with far more detail than you get from your usual weather forecasts. It's great and I've been able to learn a lot more about the weather because of it.
- mjr00 3y agoThat's likely because you engage with weather-related content. For all its problems, Twitter does do a great job at tailoring the algorithmic feed to your (expressed) interests. I just follow/engage with artists, so I rarely see any English text on my feed. The people who see a constant feed of political hot takes have presumably engaged in political arguments on Twitter. As an aside this was what pissed me off most about the change to require users to log in to see tweets; I'll always use incognito mode to view tweets with topics that I don't want polluting my timeline.
- randomdata 3y agoBeing a farmer, that is likely. So wouldn't those who seek other types of up-to-minute news continue to see that for the same algorithmic reasons?