I joined Twitter in 2007. It changed my life etc.
I always used third-party clients, because I sort of know what I’m doing with computers.
Twitter has APIs and for third-party folks like me, they let us use the old API, the one without algorithms.
The passive-aggressive thing that Twitter does is that you can’t connect a new third-party client to the old API. You can however use the ones installed before the changes. I have 3 old phones with 3 different old Twitter clients that still totally work. But I couldn’t install a third party client on my last phone.
I was like, fine, I’ll try the “new” (aka algo-filled) Twitter.
Jesus fucking Christ. I almost cried. No shit. I couldn’t recognized my 12 year old feed at all. Like, fuck.
Realizing how manipulating algorithms are, what they do to people who use Twitter like they pump gas in their cars, I just can’t. The interface, the funnels to get you to click, my god. Sure, I can finally read 240 character tweets (another funnel to keep you on the platform). Which are actually rare and not adding anything, really.
The default clients on Windows are those stinky ass web apps. The last interface change is piling up on the funneling. Twitter doesn’t respect its users at all. It uses them like tissues.
The most awesome thing about technology is that it’s impartial: it does what you want it to do, and doesn’t have stakes in what you do. It’s a tool.
Now technology does what it wants you to do for a bunch of dudes in the Bay Area. It’s a goddamn nightmare.
I want to fight @jack on a ring. No fists, just my legs hitting his meditating ass, gourmet food filled body.