decade ago 2010, joined @Twitter because I started blog (remember those) called “Selected Wisdom” met great, small network counter terrorism scholars, lots of bad jokes, enjoyed platform. 2020, I’m on Twitter watching endless shouting matches about every topic known to man.
In 2010, everyone had a blog
In 2020, everyone has a podcast, in 2030, guessing everyone will have a reality video show. (We’re already at least halfway there, maybe 2025)
In 2020, everyone has a podcast, in 2030, guessing everyone will have a reality video show. (We’re already at least halfway there, maybe 2025)
In the 2010’s, you could even have a friendly conversation with Terrorists on Twitter, in 2020, you may not even be friendly with your family or neighbors on Twitter. ted.com/talks/clint_wa…
I’d note, I don’t blame Twitter for current state of discussion, think has something to do: culture clashes with digital connections, loss of human connections real world, scale of communities, more than 500 people in discussion goes from mostly good to a lot more bad
In 2010, most people on social media were themselves, by 2020, many personas on social media are not themselves, are trying to manipulate someone, sell something, win something, or be an idealized version of themselves.
Starting in 2010, social media companies were applauded by democracies for being employed during the Arab Spring. In 2020, social media companies are derided by democracies for being employed by terrorists & authoritarians.
My 2020 conclusion, it’s probably not social media platforms, it’s probably us. If we all treated others in virtual world the way we would expect to be treated in the real world, things would be a lot better.
