Why I'm Still Engaged with Twitter After 15 Years
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Chapter 1: A Journey Through Time
How many activities do you commit to for 15 years? Personally, I can't think of many. If you had told me back on March 19, 2007, that my first trivial tweet would kick off a decade and a half of concise Twitter messages, I would have found it hard to believe.
In 2007, the world looked quite different:
- I was still in my 40s.
- I was celebrating 15 years of marriage.
- I had just taken on my first role as Editor-in-Chief.
- George W. Bush was in the White House.
- Facebook was only three years old.
I had no idea that I would be tweeting for 15 years, navigating through various jobs and two layoffs. Now, Twitter, which has evolved significantly since I joined, reminds everyone of their #TwitterAnniversary and encourages sharing these milestones on, naturally, Twitter.
While I've dabbled in numerous digital trends that have come and gone, Twitter has somehow remained steadfast. Many platforms, such as Friendster, Houseparty, Vine, and Meerkat, have faded into obscurity, but my engagement with Twitter outlasts them all. Facebook is a close contender, yet I can easily go days without visiting it, finding it increasingly less valuable.
Twitter, however, holds a unique place in my routine. It's not merely a habit; I find it to be a crucial tool for both personal use and broader communication. Despite the numerous changes over the years, it still resembles the platform launched by its founders, Jack, Noah, Biz, and Ev, 16 years ago.
Despite occasional tweaks to the platform, such as altering the timeline order, Twitter has maintained its core identity. Any major changes often provoke backlash from the community, prompting a swift return to its foundational structure.
Twitter's survival hinges on its ability to adapt within the ever-changing social media landscape. I wouldn't have continued tweeting if the platform had remained in its original text messaging format. The single-column design of 2007 would seem outdated on today's high-resolution screens, and a WAP interface would be impractical in 2022.
The decision to double the character limit from 140 to 280—a change I initially opposed—turned out to be wise. Twitter continues to resonate with me because it has woven itself into my life. I've built friendships on this platform, connecting with people I've known for nearly all of these 15 years, many of whom I've never met in real life, yet I consider them genuine friends. We support one another and amplify each other's voices through retweets and quotes.
My wife often teases me about my Twitter friends, and she has a point. We don't meet up in person, nor can I easily call or text most of them. Still, that 15% of me that identifies with Twitter believes in the authenticity of those connections.
My Twitter Experience
Twitter has opened doors for me professionally. Many have reached out for consulting or full-time roles due to my tweets and the influence that comes with having over 90,000 followers.
The platform remains a valuable research tool. Its extensive archive, accessible through advanced search options, and real-time updates on global events have been integral to my experience. Twitter has been pivotal in tracking major events like the Miracle on the Hudson and the Arab Spring, and today, it provides updates on ongoing situations like the War in Ukraine.
Twitter is such a constant presence in my life that I often find ideas for tweets forming in my mind spontaneously, even while showering. I ponder these thoughts until they are fully formed and ready to share on my timeline.
Of course, not every tweet hits the mark. You'd think that after 15 years, I'd be a master at it. I'm certainly knowledgeable about Twitter, but I can't claim to be a tweet virtuoso. More often than not, my tweets fall flat. However, there was that one time…
Five years ago, I had a shower thought—unrelated to technology—that revolved around economics. I tweeted a pictograph illustrating how "Trickle Down Economics" could devolve into “Trick,” and it went viral.
Since then, I've had a few well-received tweets, but nothing on that scale. Still, the potential for virality is one reason I keep returning.
Nothing is eternal, especially in technology. Hardware becomes outdated, software falls out of favor, and social media platforms can lose their appeal. When I see TikTok, I often wonder: Is it another fleeting trend like Vine, or could it have staying power like Twitter?
The real question is, in 15 years, will I still be active on TikTok or Twitter?
Chapter 2: The Evolution of Twitter
In "The Dumbest Buyout," the complexities of social media acquisitions are discussed, revealing insights into how they can reshape platforms and user experiences.
"This Makes No Sense" explores the peculiarities of social media trends, shedding light on the unpredictable nature of online engagement and user behavior.