Reasons to Stay on Twitter
December 28, 2017Microcosmographia lii: Reasons to stay on Twitter
Microcosmographia is a newsletter thing about honestly trying to understand design and humanity.
I almost always feel worse after looking at Twitter anymore. Regardless of whatever other variables are involved, that’s the baseline; sticking around would require some serious justification.
Some people I like use it as their main place to speak publicly, and I can have a little conversation with them there about things that they post. But I have only done this… four times in the past month. During the same period, I have had the same sort of interactions countless times on Slack, on Instagram Stories, on Messenger, or in person; and those interactions were much more safe and fulfilling than the ones on Twitter.
Sometimes people share interesting jokes, ideas, or links. But I can still find out about interesting things that happen on Twitter without venturing there myself. Also, crucially, a dearth of interesting things to look at is not a serious problem in my life. I could do nothing but work through my queue of books to read for the rest of my life and never get bored.
It’s a chance to demonstrate what kind of person I am and what I care about; it feels good to be seen and known. But this very letter is a better way to do that, with writing-chunks of any length, sent directly only to people who care to see them.
It’s a chance to make new friends. But I already have dear friends I can go to with any topic or interest I might care to connect meaningfully about. I’ve accumulated a healthy “social portfolio” and can now live off the interest.
A novelty account is a good way to collect thoughts on a specific topic. I think @fet_complains has done its job by now, documenting symptoms of the rot I think exists within software as we know it. 2,398 complaints is enough.
I have a cool username, and it would be a shame to let it go to waste. But this is a silly reason.
Thank You and Be Well
Here’s the music bringing joy and peace into my life lately:
- The new DOLL$BOXX mini-album, High $pec. May we all find the kind of happiness that Tomo-Zo exhibits while executing a guitar solo.
- CHAI’s major debut album, PINK. It’s anthem after anthem of positivity and self-respect. Highlights include “N.E.O.” and “Horechatta”.