So today twitter posted a new rule:
We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter.
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) December 18, 2022
It’s a little odd, to be sure. But at a glance, a *lot* of people read that and started screeching about how this is against EU law, how they are outraged, how this is a violation of free speech how they are – yet again – going to quit Twitter and go somewhere else (Mastodon seems to be the popular choice). But as is traditional for these sort of folk, they didn’t actually bother to read the whole thing:
We still allow cross-posting content from any social media platform. Posting links or usernames to social media platforms not listed above are also not in violation of this policy.
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) December 18, 2022
we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content that contains links
That’s… pretty clear. It’s not, as many of these brain damaged morons seem to suggest, a rule that prevents casual linking to other sites, but a rule against setting up accounts solely for promoting other platforms. Is that a little strange? Maybe. But I have noticed that whenever I go to a movie theater and look at the *insanely* high prices for popcorn and soda, there is often also a sign that says “outside food and drink are prohibited.” I’m pretty sure if you went into a McDonalds and nailed a poster for Wendys on the wall, they might object. Send a “shop at Target” marching band into Walmart, and you might find yourself asked to leave.
How many of the people freaking out are really that dumb, and how many are just using performative outrage, I can’t say. But in either case, these are people who aren’t useful or beneficial in public discourse. So if they want to wander off to some self-segregated niche like Mastodon… hey, great. Twitter was supposed to utterly collapse within days of Elon Musk taking over; so far it seems to be running just fine. A lot of objectively awful people have been suspended for *clear* TOS violations, and they have discovered the wonders of being treated like everyone else.
I have wondered if Elon bought Twitter simply to shut it down. That may still be the case, and if so, it would be a net benefit to mankind… so long as TikTok and Instagram and all the rest go down as well. Perhaps he is just screwing around with Twitter before he pulls the plug… might as well, I suppose.