Thread by @mariliacout

1/ I don't follow *back* any SM account: either I follow or I don't follow. The effectiveness of the "follow back" model for activism is not supported by data. In fact "follow back" is a social media marketing strategy that doesn't work in commerce either.

2/ Many (scaringly more than you think) people want to be followed due to emotional damage. The sad part is that having a large following feels good for a moment and then highlights the loneliness and the damage.

3/ It's common among middle-aged people who have accumulated frustrations and regrets. Causes not fought on ground, education not obtained, accomplishments not done - a life not lived enough. Now they are "resisters" or "maga people" (yes, this part of the demographic is the same

4/ Effective digital activism, if that is one (or the chief) of the reasons to have a twitter account, is more productively done by:
- creating unique content (that's not for many)
- following original content-rich accounts and viralizing relevant content

5/ Loneliness and depression are best handled on social media by connecting to few accounts and "humanizing" the digital relationship.

6/ With this preamble, I offer my (sadly) neglected work in progress in building a chart of useful twitter accounts:

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…

7/ It's very incomplete. I welcome suggestions for the chart. Meanwhile, I will keep not following "back" and following who and what matters to me.

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