It's because of engagement. I'm sort of glad Elon Musk took over, but ever since he started paying blue checkmarks for engagement everyone had to try their damnest to get in on that pie. These snappy one-liners are the quickest way to get views and replies. Next to false accusations and engagement farming in other posts.
People trying to be the quippy cool kid and/or act condescending towards people they view as ideological enemies was an issue on Twitter long before Musk. Arguably, this irony-laden, artificially detached, everything filtered through a snappy one-liner style of commentary (“ooh, that’s not a good look,” “villain origin story,” “being an [x] is a bold choice,” etc.) is a core personality trait of the modern leftist, so in shaking the dominance of those people up a little, Musk may have, if anything, decreased the prevalence of that style of communication.
ever since he started paying blue checkmarks for engagement everyone had to try their damnest to get in on that pie
Okay but I distinctly remember in 2017 trump blocked some asshole who did nothing but call him hitler. The asshole took him to court and the argument was that you had to be one of the first replies so that people would see your reply. “I have to be an asshole, your honor! It’s important for my career!!” And the judge made Trump unblock the guy.
I can’t say if it’s gotten worse since then. I think twitter is a toxic trap. But I don’t think it started with musk.
It's because of engagement. I'm sort of glad Elon Musk took over, but ever since he started paying blue checkmarks for engagement everyone had to try their damnest to get in on that pie. These snappy one-liners are the quickest way to get views and replies. Next to false accusations and engagement farming in other posts.
People trying to be the quippy cool kid and/or act condescending towards people they view as ideological enemies was an issue on Twitter long before Musk. Arguably, this irony-laden, artificially detached, everything filtered through a snappy one-liner style of commentary (“ooh, that’s not a good look,” “villain origin story,” “being an [x] is a bold choice,” etc.) is a core personality trait of the modern leftist, so in shaking the dominance of those people up a little, Musk may have, if anything, decreased the prevalence of that style of communication.
Okay but I distinctly remember in 2017 trump blocked some asshole who did nothing but call him hitler. The asshole took him to court and the argument was that you had to be one of the first replies so that people would see your reply. “I have to be an asshole, your honor! It’s important for my career!!” And the judge made Trump unblock the guy.
I can’t say if it’s gotten worse since then. I think twitter is a toxic trap. But I don’t think it started with musk.