Elon Musk, who recently ventured into owning the famous social media platform Twitter, has turned it into a terrible place. Similar to him buying a bar, Musk has made questionable changes such as firing long-time employees and introducing a cover charge for regular patrons. He is also frequently preoccupied with promoting himself and stifling his competitors. More importantly, Twitter has lost its influence and centrality. Twitter was once the most consequential place online, setting the agenda for discussions everywhere. However, Musk’s actions have turned it into just another social media platform.
My disenchantment with Twitter was evident as it failed to generate excitement even during the arraignment of Donald Trump. Musk’s self-serving adjustments to Twitter’s ranking algorithm have reduced its usefulness: previously, it was an even mix of regular and prominent users. However, it now highlights a small group of individuals that are on a constant loop. Major news organizations such as The New York Times have said they won’t pay for Musk’s subscription service aimed at acquiring verified user badges on the site. Also, several have abandoned Twitter altogether due to Musk’s heavy-handed changes. Musk’s attempts to minimize the importance of journalists by removing verification badges from their accounts may further reduce Twitter’s significance as a go-to source for news.
While Musk’s actions are detrimental to Twitter, it is not a complete loss. Twitter has been a source of misinformation, polarization, and groupthink. As my colleague Michelle Goldberg has previously pointed out, a quick Twitter flameout could have a positive impact by allowing users to migrate to more reliable social media platforms. Therefore, while the decline of Twitter is saddening, it also has its benefits: a just world with better resources and friendly people.
Office Hours With Farhad Manjoo
Farhad wants to chat with readers on the phone. If you’re interested in talking to a New York Times columnist about anything that’s on your mind, please fill out this form. Farhad will select a few readers to call.
