Hours after Elon Musk completed his acquisition of Twitter late Thursday, many enthusiastic users began expressing uncertainty about the platform’s future and whether they intended to continue using it. But with few obvious alternatives, Twitter users may be left with no choice.
Musk reiterates his intention to reconsider his moderation policy and permanent ban on Twitter content and, in some cases, restore the accounts of some arsonists. These expected moves, along with Musk’s own mixed reputation as an innovative entrepreneur and someone with a history of deviant and controversial behavior, will lead to a drain of users and advertisers from the platform. There is a lot of speculation that it might.
But the early reactions (both serious and joking) from the tech, media, and entertainment industry on Twitter (TWTR) paint a more complicated picture. Knowing full well that such an alternative probably doesn’t exist, we turn to social media platforms for breaking news and political discussions.
“Let’s go back to Tumblr. It’s time. I already hate this site but this feels like maybe the moment to nuke the ol’ account permanently. Where do the cool kids hang out that isn’t owned by [points Elon’s way],” tweeted Chris Grant, group publisher of Polygon and The Verge.
Screenwriter Jessica Ellis tweeted, “We really should’ve stuck with myspace.”
Patton Oswalt, the actor and stand-up comedian, posted on Twitter, “SAVE US FRIENDSTER.”
Many smaller social networks, including the services mentioned above, have been shut down over the years or have been acquired by companies like Facebook’s parent company Meta. Facebook and LinkedIn have attempted to recreate the same news feed vibe, but have never established themselves as central figures in shaping the public discourse.
Washington Post reporter Dan Diamond tweeted Thursday night, “LinkedIn’s moment has finally arrived.”
Some platforms that have tried to imitate Twitter, such as Parler and Gab, primarily target conservatives and members of the far right frustrated by existing content moderation policies and permanent bans. Other platforms like Mastodon promise a more decentralized social media experience. But they all have far fewer users than Twitter.
Tracy Chou, a software engineer and diversity advocate tweeted, “Apparently I have a mastodon account from 2018 (thank you for the random follow notification that reminded me). I logged in and it is tumbleweeds and one person on a soapbox opining about the nature of social networks.”
But not everyone sees the Musk acquisition as the end of Twitter. Some celebrities and conservatives expressed their support and enthusiasm for Twitter’s deal.
Former President Donald Trump, using his network Truth Social, said he was “very pleased that Twitter is in sound hands” after Musk’s acquisition. Musk said he would reactivate Trump’s Twitter account, but Trump previously said he would stay on Trus Social.
By lifting user bans and curtailing content moderation efforts, Musk could make Twitter less acceptable to its most vulnerable users, especially women, members of the LGBTQ community, and people of color, he said. It could also reverse the progress Twitter has made in combating accounts and posts that promote abuse, spam, and misleading information.
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