#13: Bye Bye Bird-App
I deleted the Twitter and it makes me sad.
Twitter. X. Hellsite. Call it what you want, I’m done.
There are many, many, many reasons to delete your Twitter account these days. I won't belabor them here.
However, this app of many names was a constant in my life for over ten years. I did not post much, so I doubt the folks behind the bird ever saw me as a coveted “power user,” but if there is a “power lurker” category I definitely fit the bill. Obviously, they never saw any of us as actual people, but whatever. Twitter kept me on the bleeding edge of information.
Within minutes of deleting my account I caught myself trying to check my feed again. At first I thought it was simply dopamine withdrawal (and it was, in part). However, on reflection I think I truly miss it. At least, I miss what it could have been.
I was never harassed on Twitter so I recognize that I speak from a privileged position. That said, the biggest benefit I took from Twitter was an exposure to viewpoints I had not previously understood or considered. I learned a lot simply by following smart people and reading their conversations.
Watching the world’s richest man dismantle the public square in pursuit of cache and power has been a deeply depressing and dystopian experience. Plus, I don’t know where to get fantasy football advice now.