Users unhappy with Musk’s purchase of Twitter have few alternatives

In the hours after Elon Musk completed his Twitter purchase on Thursday, many avid users began to express their uncertainty about the platform’s future and whether they want to stay with it.

But with few obvious alternatives, Twitter users can be left with nowhere to go.

Musk has repeatedly emphasized his intention to rethink Twitter’s content moderation policies and permanent bans, potentially restoring the accounts of some incendiary figures.

These expected moves and Musk’s mixed reputation as an innovative entrepreneur and someone with a history of controversial behavior ignited speculation about an exodus of users and advertisers from the platform.

But some of the initial reactions (some serious, some joking) in tech, media and entertainment circles on Twitter suggest a more complicated situation: Users are craving a better alternative to a service that has established itself as a social media platform for news. last minute and political discussion, knowing that such an alternative probably does not exist.

“Let’s get back to Tumblr. It’s time,” tweeted Chris Grant, editor of Polygon and The Verge. “I already hate this site, but it looks like maybe it’s time to destroy the old account permanently?”

“We really should have stuck with MySpace,” tweeted screenwriter Jessica Ellis.

Many smaller social networks over the years, including the services mentioned above, have been shut down or acquired by conglomerates like Meta, the parent of Facebook.

Facebook and LinkedIn have tried to recreate the same newsfeed feel, but have never established themselves as central to shaping public discourse.

“The moment for LinkedIn has finally arrived,” tweeted Dan Diamond, a reporter for the Washington Post, on Thursday night.

Some platforms that have tried to imitate Twitter, including Parler and Gab, are primarily targeting conservatives and members of the far-right who are frustrated with existing content moderation policies and permanent bans.

Other platforms, like Mastodon, promised a more decentralized social media experience. But they all have far fewer users than Twitter.

Not everyone sees the Musk takeover as the end of Twitter, however. Some celebrities and conservative figures expressed support and enthusiasm for the Twitter deal.

“Excited to see what it accomplishes here,” tweeted retired basketball star Shaquille O’Neill in Musk on Wednesday before the deal closed.

Reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner also expressed support for the richest man in the world, tweeting on Wednesday “can’t wait for @elonmusk to take over Twitter where everyone can speak freely.”

Former President Donald Trump used his social network, Truth Social, to say that he is “very happy that Twitter is now in good hands” following the Musk takeover. Musk said he would restore Trump’s Twitter account, although Trump previously said he would remain on Truth Social.

By unbanning users and undoing content moderation efforts, Musk could make Twitter less palatable to its most vulnerable users, usually women, members of the LGBTQ community and people of color, according to security experts.

It could also reverse the progress Twitter has made in cracking down on accounts and posts that promote abuse, spam and misleading information.

Musk, meanwhile, said earlier this week that he doesn’t want Twitter to become a “free-for-all hellscape,” adding that “our platform should be warm and welcoming for everyone, where you can choose the experience you want accordingly.” with your preferences.”

But many users clearly remain confused about whether to stay on the site and whether there is anywhere else to go.

“After all these years on twitter, it seems it’s finally time to say goodbye,” tweeted Forbes editor Alex Konrad on Thursday night. “[S] goodbye, and see you all here tomorrow.”