Thread by @slpng_giants

MEGA GOODBYE THREAD:
2021 was a weird year for Sleeping Giants.

2022 will be different.

Starting with the fact that someone else will be ultimately be running it.

Probably the biggest thing that happened in 2021 is that we asked app stores in January why they were distributing Parler, which was hosting death threats to the VP and police in advance of the Insurrection, in violation of their rules.

The majority of them suspended the app.

For the rest of the year, we continued to ask platforms like Facebook, YouTube & Twitter to be more responsible for what they were hosting, particularly around Stop the Steal and COVID disinformation.

And, as always, asked advertisers why they could continue to support Fox News.

There wasn’t as much headway on these efforts as in previous years and there are probably a few reasons for that.

First, unfortunately, when you get closer to the real roots of these huge issues, it‘s tougher sledding.

Second, unfortunately, platforms and larger companies are starting to look at the platforming and sponsorship of hate and disinformation as a PR problem to wait out, despite calls from their consumers, users & employees, rather than taking real responsibility. That part sucks.

Third, I’m tired, folks.

I took 5 months off of SG this year to try to regain some perspective, reconnect with my family & stop being so angry all of the time and it was…really good.

When I returned, I struggled to regain the energy and frustration it took to do this each day.

I think it was 2021 trying to tell me to change things up in 2022, so I am.

It’s time to toss the keys over to some new people with new ideas and new tactics. And, preferably, they will be anonymous again, the way this worked best in my opinion.

In the next few weeks, I will be speaking with close friends and allies, other SG chapters and long time SG followers to help sort out the whos, whats and hows.

It’ll take some time, I’m sure, so I’ll be on here for awhile longer, if only to rail on Steve Bannon a bit longer.

This was only supposed to be a 2 week project, but it turned into 5 incredibly rewarding, terrifying, frustrating, educational and fucking bananas years. Never saw it coming.

Just felt like I had to do something significant and it just…kept…going. Crazy.

It is truly mind blowing that this anonymous Twitter account turned into a community of concerned citizens around the world, with international operations like @slpng_giants_fr @slpng_giants_oz @slpng_giants_br & @slpng_giants_ca.

Like…how did that happen?

I had zero idea what I was getting into. It was super exciting, but shit got pretty heavy and I would have never been able to do this without the love, support and understanding of my wife and two kids. They were incredible though it all. I love them. You would, too. Trust me.

This also wouldn’t have been what it is without @nandoodles, who is now still doing the work at @CheckMyAdsHQ.

And @EJGibney @brittontaylor @barret_williams @Slarothestoic @Marketeer2u @clochary, our designer Kevin Roberson & many others for their nonstop work.

As for me, I’ll still help if needed and will continue to work on the mission.

I’m currently working on a streaming series about tech activism and an advertising technology company called @WeAreNoblMedia to finally fix what’s broken & help advertisers who want to be responsible.

There are still a bunch of loose ends to tie up. There’s a decent pot of money from merchandise that will either go to help the new team get started or to a great charity. There are some other practical matters that need to be sorted, so it’s not goodbye just yet.

This thing has been full of big wins, tough losses, good calls and horrendous mistakes in equal measure and death threats. Tons of death threats. But I feel so thankful to have been a part of it. And to everyone who helped it go, as I really had no idea what I was doing.

This is still a huge community and it has the potential to continue making a significant difference in the world. I’m very excited to see what happens with it next and process what the hell just happened.

Just need this last check from George Soros to clear first.

❤️,
Matt

PS - If you want to be a part of the next chapter of SG and are ready to tangle with some truly powerful corporations and terrible people, hit up the DMs.

Not sure how to handle this yet, but would love to hear your interest level and ideas.

Sorry. @slpng_giants_pt!!! Damn you Twitter handle recommendations!