Nice one. To your point about Labour sucking up to the “poisonous troll”, I understand the why; I don’t really get it, though. Aren’t we always lectured about the need to stand up to bullies? Prostrating yourself in front of one doesn’t really cut the mustard.
Thanks for the name check. I was also pleased to see you don't feel any Twitter nostalgia, unlike many, because I completely agree. I never found it pleasant. It was useful for reaching a wider audience, but not enjoyable. It was also, and to an extent still is, good for breaking news. (FWIW I haven't deleted my X account but hardly use it any more, and post more on BlueSky.) ChrisG
I read a book last year "Ten arguments for deleting your social media accounts right now". AFter reading it I stopped using Twitter and greatly reduced my use of Faceache. I recommend reading it. It's very short, but to the point. The author (Jaron Lanier) worked for one of the big tech corps and so knows what he was talking about. Facebook is unrecognisable from what is what like when I first used it. Twitter was always fairly horrible, but now it is vile. Its not just social media though. Cory Doctorow has written about the 'enshittification' of the internet, which has happened gradually so that we tend not to notice it. I rarely use Google for search, but one time recently I did and was shocked by how much it had changed. Instead of just returning search results you get ads and paid for results pushed at you, and they invade your entire online experience. Best to use a search engine that doesn't manipulate you and sell your data, if you can.
I opened Bluesky and the first thing I saw was a picture of Trump with the legend 'Fuck Trump'. As my dear old Mum used to say 'I'm not a prude, but...'
Splendid denunciation of Twitter. Concur fully. But re Labour standing up to bullies ... of course one should, but given the nature of the Musk/Trump monster, might 'standing up to' not incur the spiteful vengeance of said monster in the form of a 20% tariff, thus battering an already battered UK economy? It feels like a case of damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
Thanks Jennifer. I suspect he/they will do that anyway. And the government still has the power to ban Twitter from the UK, as Lula briefly did in Brazil, to force regulation. It could lead the international fight to do this. It would be a fight, but some fights are worth it.
Nice one. To your point about Labour sucking up to the “poisonous troll”, I understand the why; I don’t really get it, though. Aren’t we always lectured about the need to stand up to bullies? Prostrating yourself in front of one doesn’t really cut the mustard.
Trump and Mandelson deserve each other but the rest of us* deserve neither.
* for specific values of “us”, obv.
Thanks for the name check. I was also pleased to see you don't feel any Twitter nostalgia, unlike many, because I completely agree. I never found it pleasant. It was useful for reaching a wider audience, but not enjoyable. It was also, and to an extent still is, good for breaking news. (FWIW I haven't deleted my X account but hardly use it any more, and post more on BlueSky.) ChrisG
Anytime Chris. I was tempted to keep my account too for the same reasons, but I don’t regret not doing so.
I read a book last year "Ten arguments for deleting your social media accounts right now". AFter reading it I stopped using Twitter and greatly reduced my use of Faceache. I recommend reading it. It's very short, but to the point. The author (Jaron Lanier) worked for one of the big tech corps and so knows what he was talking about. Facebook is unrecognisable from what is what like when I first used it. Twitter was always fairly horrible, but now it is vile. Its not just social media though. Cory Doctorow has written about the 'enshittification' of the internet, which has happened gradually so that we tend not to notice it. I rarely use Google for search, but one time recently I did and was shocked by how much it had changed. Instead of just returning search results you get ads and paid for results pushed at you, and they invade your entire online experience. Best to use a search engine that doesn't manipulate you and sell your data, if you can.
Well done.
I opened Bluesky and the first thing I saw was a picture of Trump with the legend 'Fuck Trump'. As my dear old Mum used to say 'I'm not a prude, but...'
Splendid denunciation of Twitter. Concur fully. But re Labour standing up to bullies ... of course one should, but given the nature of the Musk/Trump monster, might 'standing up to' not incur the spiteful vengeance of said monster in the form of a 20% tariff, thus battering an already battered UK economy? It feels like a case of damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
Thanks Jennifer. I suspect he/they will do that anyway. And the government still has the power to ban Twitter from the UK, as Lula briefly did in Brazil, to force regulation. It could lead the international fight to do this. It would be a fight, but some fights are worth it.
Time to add Bluesky to your Share list, methinks.
I agree!