Discussing Twitter's transformation into x.com under Elon Musk, the rise of the Dublin to New York portal for authentic connections, the impact of Musk's leadership on content moderation and user experience, and the fragmentation of online platforms creating bespoke realities in political discourse.
Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter led to a decline in platform integrity and user exodus.
Twitter under Musk's control facilitated the spread of political disinformation and conspiracies.
Relational organizing strategies are replacing traditional online platforms for political campaigns.
Deep dives
Elon Musk's Takeover of Twitter and Changes Made
Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter sparked significant changes on the platform, including laying off the trust and safety team, removing verified blue checkmarks, and enabling individuals to pay for verification. This shift led to the promotion of disinformation and the return of controversial figures, causing a considerable exodus of users, particularly from the platform's mainstream political accounts.
Impact of Political Conspiracies and Disinformation on Twitter
Twitter's transformed environment under Musk's leadership saw the rapid spread of political conspiracies and disinformation, amplified by the prioritization of sensational content over verified information. The dissemination of false narratives, such as those concerning incidents like Prime Minister Fitzo's shooting, highlighted the platform's challenges in maintaining integrity and fact-checking amidst a deluge of contentious content.
Evolution of Political Communication Strategies
Amidst the changing landscape of online interactions, political campaigns are adapting by leveraging relational organizing strategies. These approaches involve empowering voters to engage in conversations through various platforms and mediums, fostering more authentic interactions within their communities. As reliance on traditional online platforms diminishes, these personalized engagement tactics are gaining prominence in the political communications realm.
The Dublin-New York Portal: A Novel Connection Experience
The Dublin-New York portal offers a unique digital bridge experience for individuals in both cities, aiming to transcend traditional online connections through real-time interactions. Despite initial misbehavior and controversy resulting in a temporary shutdown, the portal's reopening revealed moments of joy and connection among participants, showcasing a wholesome and heartwarming side of online communication amidst an era dominated by extreme viewpoints and algorithm-driven content.
Conspiracy Theories Echoing Red Lobster's Bankruptcy
Speculation surrounding Red Lobster's bankruptcy ties back to the repercussions of private equity involvement rather than the popular 'endless shrimp' promotion. The acquisition by a private equity firm led to increased operational costs and financial strain on Red Lobster, ultimately contributing to its financial hardship. This serves as a reminder of the nuanced factors impacting business decisions and challenges traditional narratives surrounding brand success or failure.
Twitter is officially dead. Last week, twitter.com became x.com, marking the final step in a rebranding effort that the company’s owner, Elon Musk, announced last year. The change marks a shift for the now bird-less app under Musk’s reign, which has welcomed Nazis and white supremacists back onto the platform, dissolved its Trust and Safety council, and become a cesspool of disinformation and conspiracy. Meanwhile, people seem to still long for authentic connection—like with the Dublin to New York portal that connects the cities through a live video stream. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we trace Twitter's demise, and delve into what the rise of the portal could mean for the evolution of how we talk to each other and consume politics online.
Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Makena Kelly is @kellymakena. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.