As Twitter faces an uncertain future, why stay?
Two Twitter users and an ex-Twitter user discuss the pros and cons of continuing to use the platform under Elon Musk’s leadership.
After initially making an offer, then attempting to renege on the deal, billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought Twitter in late October, claiming he was doing so to “unlock” the platform’s full potential and apply “free speech.” Despite this, since his purchase, the platform has been marked by constant unsteadiness.
In just over a month’s time, Musk’s leadership caused key staff to leave the company (both through resignations and terminations), the reinstating of previously suspended accounts and the introduction of a fee for verified users — only to remove it 48 hours later.
What’s the future of Twitter and what does Musk want to do with the company?
“There are people who legitimately live inside of Twitter. Their lives, their social circumstance, live inside of Twitter and you can also tell who those folks are because there’s no nuance in how they exist inside of that platform,” — Candice Fortman, journalist
Listen: How Twitter has changed over the last decade.
Guest
Candice Fortman is the executive director of Outlier Media. She says both journalists and other users need to balance their information intake between Twitter and other platforms.
“There are people who legitimately live inside of Twitter. Their lives, their social circumstance, live inside of Twitter and you can also tell who those folks are because there’s no nuance in how they exist inside of that platform,” says Fortman.
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.