Hiiiiii!
I’m baaccckkk!!! Once a week, I will be curating content with commentary.
I’m changing up my online usage and presence. I’ve officially deleted my Twitter. Since 2009, I was a regular, loyal user - one could even say evangelist! Now, 15 years later I’m leaving the site. I have joined Bluesky.
Yes, I treat this newsletter like an airport- I announce my departures.
Reflections on Twitter-
The final straw? The election results. This whole year, I’ve been thinking about leaving Twitter for all the obvious reasons but what kept me there was Black Twitter. And guess who’s also leaving Twitter right now en masse? Black users.
Black users created a unique experience to Twitter with memes, inside jokes, AAVE, Black culture references etc. It was the funnest place to be on the internet. Every social media ( Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook) platform borrowed from Black twitter and recycled it’s content. I was waiting to see where Black Twitter would shift and it’s finally moving to Bluesky.
When I first joined Twitter in 2009, I was very confused with its concept. Why would I only want to post a status? Let alone menial thoughts. But after seeing how a few friends used it, it became a experimental place to express a streamline of consciousness with hilarious interactions. As Twitter grew, so did I and I used it as a place to express ever evolving views of religion, philosophy, and trends. I remember when we all rejoiced with the character count increase! I retweeted with fervor- news articles, pretty pictures, think pieces, anything that caught my short attention span.
Twitter felt like the “anti-Facebook.” In high school, I listened to a podcast where the co-founders of Twitter recounted being offered an acquisition by Zuck. Their response was spitting out a ridiculous number which he obviously turned down. They felt he was too serious and they wanted to keep the platform lighthearted. While many users left Facebook for Instagram (whilst still staying in the Meta-verse ~gag~), users stayed on Twitter for almost two decades.
I had used Twitter as a source for world news, pop culture, and memes. I laughed at the millions of jokes. I felt informed with current affairs. I stayed on trend with fashion, music, and movies.
To be able to get all those things from *one* platform was a unique time and space on the internet. I had curated my following and interactions so well that even when the timeline shifted from chronological to algorithm, I was still very satisfied with the content.
I had gone as far to make following lists for my peers who wanted a similar experience. I wanted others to enjoy the bounty Twitter had to offer.
Then orange face rose to power and all the ugly flaws of the platform came to light. This was a turning point in Twitter’s use for me. I was watching hate spread in real time. I vividly remember watching Charlottesville unfold live on my timeline. Jack came back to Twitter trying to calm investors’ nerves. The alt-right’s usage ballooned and slowly, the space declined.
The acquisition by Mr. Apartheid was the worst thing that happened to the beloved platform. Misinformation spiked, censorship increased, and hate flourished. Yet, I stayed. It was as if I was lingering at a party, hoping the energy would shift. I wanted so much for the platform while knowing deep down, it was time to go but I did not know where to turn.
Threads is not the replacement and the vibe isn’t it. Sorry Meta, but you’ll never be the cool kid.
I’ve only used Bluesky for a few days but it already feels like the old Twitter. It’s refreshing to see people posting wholesome content. Bluesky just released a statement that it would not train its AI on user-generated content- a huge win for artists (for now)! Do you feel my reluctance? I have found shelter but there is much work ahead of us to build up Bluesky to resemble what we had loved so much about Twitter. Follow me on Bluesky.
It was a real interesting 15 years of highs and lows. Au revoir, Twitter. I hope your stonks continue to plummet. <3