Recently, in an interview between Jon Stewart, Ezra Klein, and Tristan Harris, Klein discussed the reality-distorting effects of social media. They explored how spending more time on social media can warp our understanding of reality, particularly when it comes to political opponents. Social media users may see a few people expressing an opinion and mistakenly assume it’s representative of a larger group. This is how culture wars are started.
I’m disappointed by what Twitter/X has become under Elon Musk, but its reduced relevance might actually help us reconnect with reality (or whatever version of reality exists after the election). Musk’s changes have turned the platform into a more insular space, catering to a specific subset of users. It’s also lost over 80% of its value since he purchased it, driving decisions that either boost Musk’s exposure (like neutering the block function) or try to stabilize the platform financially. The shift to paid “verification” has mostly attracted right-wing users, who now benefit from algorithmic boosts, creating an echo chamber for like-minded perspectives.
One of Musk’s latest changes to X involves paying verified users based on interactions with other verified users. This adjustment will make the platform even more insular, as verified users are now incentivized to interact mostly within a closed circle. Essentially, X has become a space where these users cheer each other on, further alienating those outside this niche group. Think of it like a boys’ locker room, where a bunch of naked guys are high-fiving each other. Who is going to want to pay for the ability to insert themselves into a scrum of floppy dicks praising each other because they just trolled one of the dwindling numbers of people who disagree with them politically?
For some, Threads has served as a healthier alternative, offering a quieter space without the constant presence of trolls. However, Threads has faced its own issues with moderation. According to The Verge, Meta’s efforts to prevent Threads from becoming another X have sometimes resulted in post deletions or account limitations. Users have reported having posts removed for humor or sarcasm that the algorithm doesn’t understand. There’s also been controversy over the banning of terms like “cracker” without regard for context. When posts are removed, or accounts are downgraded, the user experience worsens.
Strict moderation might be necessary to maintain a healthy environment on the platform, but that “healthy” environment comes at the cost of the individual user experience.