Pivot Decoder: How Donald Trump and Elon Musk Killed Twitter, with Marty Baron and Zoe Schiffer
Jan 16, 2024
Join former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron and Platformer managing editor Zoe Schiffer as they delve into the tumultuous decline of Twitter. They discuss how Elon Musk and Donald Trump revolutionized the platform, shifting it from a beacon of journalism to a playground for misinformation. The conversation uncovers Twitter's internal struggles over content moderation and the impact of these influential figures on political discourse. As the landscape of social media evolves, they highlight the urgent need for accountability in this chaotic digital arena.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
User-Driven Innovation
- Twitter's leadership never understood the platform; its best ideas came from users.
- Users shaped Twitter into a hub for humor, social movements, and news.
Influence of Power Users
- Donald Trump and Elon Musk, two power users, significantly impacted Twitter.
- They were addicted to the platform, defined it, changed it, broke it, and ultimately ended it.
Early Adoption at Boston Globe
- Marty Baron, at the Boston Globe, saw Twitter as advantageous for connecting with reporters.
- It helped reporters show their personalities and disseminate coverage.
