Last night many reported that this may be the end of Twitter. Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion dollars, and then resorted to firing many employees while also dramatically changing work conditions for those remaining. As the work conditions changed, many employees decided to take a severance and cut ties with the platform. It was reported that employees who were fired or stepped down had critical skill and knowledge with regard to running Twitter, and potential irrevocable errors were been made in the meantime.
So what is the truth of the matter? Will this be the end of Twitter, and if so, why?
Some theorize that Musk was paid to end the powerful platform, in part, because Twitter had such a negative impact on electing MAGA candidates during the 2022 midterm elections. Others have theorized that Musk's actions are actions of war; and some believe he is simply a self-serving fool and/or reckless ego maniac. Musk's words and past acts demonstrate little respect for humanity and great struggle when it comes to positive, life-enriching collaboration. Some reports on Twitter point to Musk dishonesty--I'd have to research that more to understand the accuracy of that claim.
In light of a possible end to Twitter as well as a clear change in leadership and direction, many Twitter users are migrating to other platforms. Some of my Follows have decided to move to Instagram, Mastodon, and/or Tribel. I have accounts on all three sites, and as of now, Mastodon seems to replicate Twitter more closely allowing a quick exchange and share of information. There's lots to learn about this.
As we have just experienced with a worldwide pandemic, big abrupt changes that affect a lot of people create havoc and change. For example, prior to the pandemic, the idea of hybrid work situations was slow to take root and develop, but the pandemic pushed that work model into the mainstream. The workplace will never go back to a mostly in-person situation, and multiple models of hybrid or completely virtual work will continue to evolve. Musk's Twitter impact will have a dramatic effect on social media. As people considered the end of Twitter, they noted the life-enriching and life-changing attributes of Twitter. For example, Caroline Orr Bueno shared her research about the life saving role of Twitter during disasters--this information demonstrates the great potential the Twitterverse holds for saving and promoting lives. There were countless testimonials by educators too noting how Twitter was a great source of information and connection that resulted in better teaching and learning. That was true for me--Twitter was a platform that greatly enriched what I was able to do in the classroom with and for students. Also, as so many of us know, Twitter is a great source of information with regard to our democracy--we are able to hear firsthand in a timely manner from our elected leaders about almost any topic or event.
It's time for people and leaders everywhere to think deeply about the effects, needs, and potential for apt social media and tech integration. We've been apart of this info/tech age for a long time, but I don't think the laws and policies needed to protect and promote technology in humane ways have kept up with the many innovations, inventions, and outcomes that occurred. For example, some have become very, very, very wealthy because of their work in the tech field. That wealth translates into great power over people, governments, and resources. Lack of apt taxation or rules about excessive wealth have led to some of these wealthy individuals misusing their powers in ways that obstruct the good possible or ways that hurt, harm, and end lives. There needs to be better laws, policies, and international efforts to stem these too-often errant, erratic, self-serving powers.
Is this the end of Twitter? I don't know, but we are all wise to take this potential seriously and work to better manage and oversee platforms like this with apt laws and regulations going forward. Onward.