The Deterioration of a Social Media Giant

On July 24, I received an alarming notification that no one who adheres strictly to community guidelines expects: my main Twitter account had been suspended. It was a shocking moment; I had never anticipated such an outcome. Typically, users who face bans receive emails detailing the reasons for their suspensions. However, that wasn’t the case for me. I was left in the dark without any explanation and, after a moment of disbelief, I submitted an appeal, hoping for the best.

After several hours of uncertainty, I was relieved to receive notifications again. My account had been reinstated as I updated my friends on my backup account about what had transpired. The reason for my suspension remains a mystery; I only knew that my account had been in good standing before the ban.

I share my experience to illustrate a larger point: since Elon Musk took over, Twitter has become a shadow of its former self. Accounts of racist trolls, once banned, have been reinstated, while users who defend themselves against such abuse find their accounts silenced. Three-quarters of the staff have been let go without justification, and those who were dismissed received a dismissive emoji as part of their severance communication. Reports against repeat offenders are often met with automated responses that provide little assurance, leaving users frustrated with the system's ineffectiveness.

The recent rebranding of the platform to "X" has only added to the confusion. Gone is the iconic blue bird; users are now met with a capitalized X in an unappealing font.

A saying from my childhood comes to mind: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." Since Musk's acquisition of Twitter, he has made numerous changes that have disrupted the platform's functionality. Before my suspension, users were unable to send direct messages to multiple people unless they had verified accounts, which often locked them out of certain discussions. I was among those who faced this limitation, as I could only access specific chat rooms through the mobile app.

The introduction of Twitter Blue further exemplifies these misguided changes. Users now pay a monthly fee for a verification checkmark, which many see as a status symbol. This initiative appears to be Musk's way of recovering from financial losses the company faced in the stock market and advertising revenue. Unfortunately, the verification feature has also allowed trolls to impersonate celebrities and public figures, spreading hate under their names. Some users continue to subscribe just to stir controversy and promote bigotry.

This clout-chasing mentality has contributed to my belief that Twitter is slowly deteriorating. Under Musk's leadership, the platform seems to have transformed into a diluted version of 4chan, rife with toxic behavior. While alternative platforms exist, many of us still find ourselves drawn back to Twitter, often out of habit. Personally, I have used it to network and promote my crochet business, but I can’t help but wish for a cleaner, more supportive environment.

I am relieved to have finally written this article. First, I want to express my gratitude to the Almighty Creator for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I also apologize for not sharing my Twitter handle; I'm more interested in fostering genuine connections than amassing a large following.

Lastly, thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my work. I apologize for not being as consistent as I would like, but I aim to provide quality content. If you enjoy my writing, consider supporting me on Ko-fi. We all have bills to pay, after all!

Take care and prioritize your health! Àse

Chapter 2: Twitter's Struggles Under Elon Musk

The first video discusses the implications of Elon Musk's decision to limit users' daily post visibility, reflecting on the overall impact on user experience.

The second video highlights the challenges Twitter faces with its advertising business, focusing on the consequences of recent changes in management and policy.