Nitish Pahwa, a business writer at Slate, dives into the turbulent world of X, formerly Twitter. He discusses the emotional struggles tied to leaving social media and the growing migration of users to platforms like Blue Sky and Threads. Pahwa highlights the impact of Elon Musk’s ownership on community dynamics and the rising tide of misinformation. With government initiatives reshaping online discourse, he warns listeners about the risks involved in staying on X, ultimately questioning what the future holds for social media engagement.
The creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, led by figures like Elon Musk, raises concerns about the merging of tech influence with government operations.
Many users are abandoning X for alternative platforms due to dissatisfaction with political content and moderation issues, indicating a shift in social media preferences.
Deep dives
The Formation of the Department of Government Efficiency
Donald Trump announced the creation of a new governmental office called the Department of Government Efficiency, intended to streamline bureaucracy and eliminate perceived excesses in government. The department is set to be led by figures like Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, further intertwining tech influence with governmental operations. This initiative aims to cut regulations and has drawn attention for the potential implications of Musk's close involvement, especially given his prior influence on social media platforms. Critics are concerned about the blending of private interests with public administration, particularly relating to Musk's ownership of X, formerly known as Twitter.
User Exodus from X and Rising Alternatives
Many users are leaving X, particularly as it becomes increasingly politicized under Musk's leadership, with reports of declining follower counts and user accounts abandoning the platform for alternatives like Blue Sky and Threads. Anecdotal evidence suggests a significant drop in user engagement on X, especially following political events like the recent election. Users express dissatisfaction with the platform's current direction and moderation issues, significantly impacting communities that once thrived there. The rise of these alternative platforms, which emphasize less toxicity and more user-friendly environments, indicates a shifting landscape in social media preferences.
Implications of Content Ownership and AI Training
Changes in the terms of agreement on X now allow the platform to use user-generated content for AI training, raising concerns about data ownership among users. This move mirrors trends seen across various tech companies, yet it specifically highlights the risks associated with Musk’s vision for AI. Users are cautioned that their tweets could contribute to flawed AI outputs reflective of Musk’s controversial perspectives. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding digital privacy and ownership rights in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
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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Podcast production by Evan Campbell, Patrick Fort, and Alyssa Jeong Perry.