Why I’m Contemplating Quitting Twitter (X)

Revisiting Twitter Under Elon Musk: Why I’m Contemplating Quitting the Platform

Revisiting Twitter Under Elon Musk: Why I’m Contemplating Quitting the Platform

It’s been a year since Elon Musk, the tech entrepreneur famed for his ventures in electric vehicles and space travel, acquired Twitter, now rebranded as "X". A year is a considerable amount of time to evaluate the changes that come with new leadership. In my case, that period has been a rollercoaster of excitement, expectation, and ultimately, disappointment.

The Dawn of New Hope

Initially, when Elon Musk bought Twitter, I was optimistic. Here was a man who had championed free speech and defied norms. Surely he would bring some much-needed freshness to the platform. However, it wasn’t long before the first cracks appeared.

The Blue-Tick Saga

One of the most evident changes was in the blue-tick verification process. Verification became not only a sign of authentic identity but also a paid necessity for traction. I, reluctantly, joined the blue-tick brigade, lured by the promise of an enhanced Twitter experience. Musk introduced new features like the ability to edit tweets and an unlimited character count, and I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

AI-generated Image: Alas, the illusion is shattered.

The Illusion Shattered

Yet, the anticipation turned into disillusionment. Despite having a following of 42K, my tweets, unlike previously, received barely any traction. The impact was not even close to what one would expect from a verified account with such a substantial following. This begged the question—what was going wrong?

The Substack Dilemma

As someone who runs a newsletter, "The KBS Chronicle," I noticed that my Substack links were outright suppressed on X. While I understand the business logic of not diverting traffic away, this was egregious to say the least. My Twitter followers, who would have genuinely been interested in my articles, were denied the opportunity because the platform actively decided not to circulate them.

The Bigger Picture

The impact of Musk’s takeover has been broadly negative, it appears. Data suggests that global app downloads have fallen 38%, monthly active users have dropped by nearly 15%, and U.S ad revenue has plummeted 60%. While Musk introduced new features, these were insufficient to stem the tide of declining user engagement, which has been exacerbated by the rise in hate speech, misinformation, and glitches.

The Final Straw

Elon Musk presented himself as a crusader for free speech, but the changes made under his leadership belie that narrative. To me, he seems more like a businessman looking to profit at the expense of user experience and freedom of speech. His actions have led me to lose respect for him.

Austin, Texas. Summer of 2022.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

I find myself at a crossroads—should I quit or continue with the platform? On one side, there's the argument that my voice may eventually find its audience on Twitter, regardless of the platform's shortcomings. On the other hand, why should I expend energy on a platform that doesn't align with my principles? To friends and followers, should I quit?

After much consideration, I’m leaning towards quitting. The reason? I can no longer support a platform that does not genuinely support me or the ideals it claimed to uphold. Mr. Musk, I am disappointed in you.

So, dear readers, as I contemplate this decision, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Are the changes compelling enough for you to stay, or have you, too, considered jumping ship? Your insights might just tip the balance.

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