Nitish Pahwa, a Slate business writer, shares insights on the shift from Twitter to X under Elon Musk's leadership. He discusses the dramatic decline in user engagement and how political tensions have pushed many to seek alternatives. The conversation delves into the complexities of loyalty to a platform that now prioritizes misinformation and trolls. Pahwa highlights the emotional toll of leaving social media, encouraging listeners to consider healthier online spaces while remaining wary of the risks associated with continuing on X.
Elon Musk's takeover of X has resulted in increased hate speech and misinformation, prompting users to seek safer alternatives like Blue Sky and Threads.
The departure of reputable news agencies from X indicates a declining trust in the platform as a news source, impacting user engagement significantly.
Deep dives
Impact of Musk's Leadership on X
Elon Musk's ascendance at the helm of X has significantly altered the platform's trajectory, particularly regarding content moderation and user experience. Following Musk's takeover, there was a marked increase in hate speech and misinformation, as the content moderation teams were dissolved. This shift alienated many users, prompting concerns over the platform's utility and safety, especially as it became increasingly politicized. Consequently, a notable exodus from X began, with users seeking alternatives like Blue Sky and Threads, which provide a more welcoming environment.
The Role of News Outlets
The departure of respected news agencies from X highlights a growing sentiment that the platform is no longer a viable source for reliable news. Outlets like The Guardian have ceased posting, with others contemplating a similar fate due to fear of association with misinformation. This trend poses a risk for X, as diminished journalistic presence could further decrease user engagement and trust in the platform. The shift in media dynamics indicates that users are increasingly prioritizing credible news sources over platforms that harbor disinformation.
Future Implications of AI Integration
Recent changes to X's terms of service now allow the platform to utilize user content for training AI models, raising ethical concerns among remaining users. As other tech giants have also adopted similar practices, users must grapple with the ownership of their posts as they are repurposed for AI development. The quality and reliability of projects like Musk's XAI, which utilizes this data, become crucial, as they may propagate the same issues of misinformation present on the platform. This shift suggests that users will need to make informed decisions about their continued presence on the platform, weighing the implications of their contributions.
Since Elon Musk took over, Twitter—er, sorry “X”—has been slowly deflating. But given that soon you’ll be getting yelled at by right-wing trolls directly from White House press briefings, and your data is being swept up to train A.I., is there any reason to stay on the site at all anymore?
Guest: Nitish Pahwa, Slate business writer.
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