“It feels like 2013 in here.”
Of course, it’s not 2013 (first my hair is better, and second my waist is wider) but that was myself and my youngest son, Gregor, discussing the new microblogging app (read: Twitter ripoff) Threads.
Threads is a new app by Meta. Meta is the squeaky clean and in no way directly responsible company that almost single-handedly capsized democracy in the United States in recent years and owns Facebook and Instagram amongst other online mega properties.
The Threads app offers an almost identical experience to Twitter in that it allows people to post up to 500 words with pictures and videos (up to 5 mins in length) which other users can read, view, like, comment on and share.
So why should you care about seemingly yet another social media platform?
Well, Twitter, despite its shortcomings, had become massively important at sharing up to the minute news.
Emergency alert systems would use it.
Governments would use it.
As I’ve said to others, if there’s an earthquake happening in California, I will know about it on Twitter before the first tremor finishes.
Twitter is/was the world right now.
However, as a result of various cost-cutting and mad-scientistesque moves by Elon Musk, its owner, Twitter has become less reliable, less trustworthy, less fun, and less… useful.
I hate that.
I love Twitter.
The reason I love Twitter is that it is more than just a site where people post nonsense (though there is an abundance) but it is also sometimes useful.
When you remove the reliable utility aspect of Twitter, it becomes well… less reliable and less useful.
In recent months many challengers have stepped up to take that throne.
From Mastadon to Spoutible to Blue Sky.
However none of those have the as deep pockets and built-in audience that Threads does.
Will Threads be an online Utopia?
No.
Social Media companies are companies.
Companies are soulless.
Your use of them is transactional, so make sure you get the value you need out of them.
Will Threads succeed as the long-awaited Twitter Killer?
Honestly, based on the rush of engagement, excitement and sense of community I experienced on the app’s first night last night, I say it’s got a good shot.
Based on the owner of Meta (and Threads) Mark Zuckerberg challenging Elon Musk to a cage match I can deduce two things…
There is an inordinate amount of billionaire pride on the line here.
We live in the stupidest times.
Of course, there are things that need to be fixed on Threads…
a Following feed only instead of just the firehose of algo-pushed randos
allowing GIFs
chronological feeds (essential)
and probably a bunch more
If those things are fixed we could be at the start of a brand new social media era.
Or at least the start of a brand new way to be distracted and, hopefully, informed.
That said, we don’t have the same simultaneous technological advances happening that we did in 2013. For example, 4G service for cell phones suddenly made it possible to watch videos and upload videos anywhere at the exact time that Vine was released.
Also, Meta are sometimes absolutely awful and more often fairweather.
However, I can tell you… something feels different about Threads compared to other recent app releases. I’m not sure exactly why as yet but it feels promising.
Should you sign up?
You certainly don’t have to but… you know what? I think so.
https://www.threads.net/
Should you follow me on there?
Definitely.
https://www.threads.net/@brittlestar
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Sorry, Stewart. I’m still prepared to die on the Twitter hill. But I’ll keep listening; and agonizing.
A confirmed Luddite, I have yet to figure out Twitter let alone tik tok. Now I’m expected to master Threads?