How important is Twitter?

[Chocchops72]

Is it likely to go tits up and disappear? And if it does, does it matter?

i go on Twitter quite a lot, mostly to follow a few accounts linked to subjects I’m interested in (politics, news, climate change, science, old buildings, travel). I rarely post. ATM there is a lot of hand wringing and concern that ‘something should be done’ to preserve what Twitter provides - but I’m not sure what that is and how important it is?

Is Twitter important to you?

Completely irrelevant to me - and I believe to civilization

I wouldn't notice if it were gone.

I only use it to follow Larry the Cat. If he jumps ship, so will I.

Literally nothing important would grind to a halt if twitter crashes.

The banks crash, there are repercussions. The national grid goes out, there are repercussions. BT crashes, there are repercussions (because they own the infrastructure a lot of other companies use).

But twitter, nothing. Peoople lose their jobs which is crap but nothing important in more general terms happens. There are other social media sites.

Used to have a twitter account then deleted it around 2014. Didn't miss it. Wasn't bothered. Went back on a few months ago so see what it was like. Was a bit boring and too many sex ads for my liking so I came off.
I don't actually understand all the hype that's happening now - I'm not really following it but sounds like Elon isn't being very nice.

I think it would actually be beneficial to the world if it did collapse.

Egoists wouldn't know what to do with their time.

I use it and like it - I don't get it why people are getting ready for its collapse, I can't see why would it (well maybe a few 'down times' while he balances the staff issues.

Twitter is great imo - it's by far the best 'Chat' site plus all the visuals / photos, there is a lot more humour than on Insta or FB, you get access to thought process of people who interst you and it's a well of information.

I've met people in real life who I'met through twitter who share my two interests, and one became a close friend.

sorry for all the typos and repetition! #pastbedtime (see what I mean? hashtag thing is a twitter invention)

I couldnt care less about twitter. I do have an account but havent logged on for years.

I actually would miss it. It’s the only way I can get decent customer service with a few big companies without having to sit on hold on the phone. They don’t have a customer chat function. Also I have a deaf sibling and they find it useful for the same reason, they don’t have the option of ringing.

It would be annoying to me if it shut, it's a great source of information (and also disinformation of course!).

There's a huge value in it for people in more difficult parts of the world.

I can't imagine spending £44bn on something and just breaking it.

It's really good for certain subject areas. I'm interested in writing and it's the best way to find out about competitions and writing tips. Insta or Facebook just doesn't work in the same way.

I never really understood the point of Twitter, so no, I wouldn't miss it if it went.

i think I’ve read (either on Twitter or maybe on news articles about it) of it being described as essential, and that it should be brought into public ownership as a place (‘the’ place) where people gather globally to talk, argue, debate etc. I guess a lot of people who do post - especially if they are campaigners or activists - there isn’t really anywhere else that they can have direct access to millions of people? Though I guess that applies to anyone who’s seeking something to.

I’m just not convinced it’s an essential public service.

It's a huge time waster.
A cesspool of toxic masculinity
Wouldn't care at all if it disappeared.

I do think it would be a loss if it disappeared but the world would move on and just create a new platform.

I only use it for things like real time traffic or weather issues. It's quick.

It is also a cesspool of hate, fake shit, harassment and stupidity. You'd have to take all the users offline at the same time as twitter or they would just end up somewhere else.

I wouldn't miss it either and wouldn't care if it disappeared completely.

I too do follow Larry the Downing Street Cat (gotta love Larry) but other than that I just can't be bothered with it at all.

I can't say I really understand what Elon Musk has been trying to achieve. I'm sure there must be some big plan somewhere or other, but so far he just seems to have bought it for £44 billion and begun trashing it.

I wouldn't even know it was gone because any thing I might want to find out about/care to read is also in other places on the internet that don't do the super annoying pop up to stop you reading further if you don't log in.

I think I might have signed up once years ago, but if I did I never logged back in ever again.

If someone sends me a link, I might read it up to the point where the pop up happens, but I stop once the pop up appears.

Nothing essential on it.
Most years I don't visit twitter at all.

I would miss it. If something happens in the world, you get instant news, I follow a lot of news outlets. There's a lot of interesting knowledgeable people on it, you just have to be discerning on who you follow.

Musk is intent on minimising the debt and so far is making a pig's ear of it

However watch out Mumsnet, this article amused me!

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/twitter-elon-musk-should-have-bought-mumsnet-n9chs2swg

Do you miss Friends Reunited? Well, exactly !

Both are completely irrelevant in the long run. Hopefully Elon Musk has just bought the most expensive white elephant in the history of mankind, and may learn from his losses (although I won't hold my breath).

@Chocchops72

nit important atall
hope it goes belly up 100%

musk has behaved like an utter disgrace
hope he enjoys loosing 44 billion USD

Same!

I use it to find out if my local ferry is running in bad weather but that's it.