On with Kara Swisher The Twitter Fantasy from Land of the Giants
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Nov 6, 2023 A nostalgic look at Twitter's rise and fall reveals the platform's tumultuous history under Elon Musk. Discover how early users shaped its culture and the significance of Black Twitter as a cultural force. The discussion highlights innovative user-driven features like hashtags, while also addressing the dark side of online trolls and harassment. Crucial moments, including Twitter's responses to crises, illustrate the platform's evolving identity as both a voice for the community and a battleground for control.
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The Bieber Problem
- Del Harvey, Twitter's 25th employee, dealt with Brazilian teen girls spamming Justin Bieber.
- This made Twitter look like a Bieber fansite, requiring algorithm tweaks to prioritize fresh topics.
User vs. Platform Control
- Twitter's early days presented a constant challenge: balancing user agency with platform control.
- Del Harvey's job involved observing user behavior and deciding whether to intervene.
From Tweets to TV
- Bess Kalb's jokes on Twitter led to a career break.
- Comedian Rob Delaney's retweet boosted her followers, leading to a connection with Nell Scovel and a job writing for Jimmy Kimmel.
