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hw's avatar

I mostly agree with your analysis, but I take issue with your conclusion. Pre-Musk Twitter provided an invaluable haven for marginalized communities, and a fast-track to elevating important voices and viewpoints. Twitter enabled Zelensky to put children's faces on a horrific war, Twitter enabled threats to US democracy to be clarified prior to the midterms. Twitter enabled Westerners to read first-hand accounts of the desperate struggles for freedom in Iran and China. Personally, these were primary reasons for spending time on Twitter.

Most of us will indeed be fine with an alternative to Twitter (the brand is so damaged, who would buy it, even in a fire sale?), but it's a life-and-death matter to many in the world. Their loss of access is a tragedy, engineered by a man who is a farce.

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Mark Dykeman's avatar

Much as the way that removing DJT from Twitter helped to decentralize him from the media, I think reducing people's attention from Twitter (and Musk himself) may be the best thing for everyone in terms of reducing the importance of this particular platform (and I was a dedicated user for 15 years). It took up too much of my time and attention for someone whose livelihood had to no connection to his Twitter presence, though that's on me, not anyone else. Two more days and my Twitter account will disappear for ever into the deletion bin and despite any temptations to reactivate it, I intend to leave that chapter behind me. Like you say, Dave, no matter what happens to Twitter in the next 12 months, almost everyone's lives will be largely unaffected, except perhaps in our memories and feelings.

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