Chris Trottier
Ever since November, I’ve told everyone who would listen that continuing to use Twitter helps Fascism.
Certain people said that statement was “extremist and alienating”.
But now it turns out that Twitter is deliberately amplifying Russian propaganda. And Russia is, in fact, a Fascist regime.
It’s time you all realize the stakes of your social media use.
https://weaponizedspaces.substack.com/p/kremlin-twitter-accounts-get-a-boost
jrm4
Honestly, my gut is that it's *exactly* hard-headed hardliners like you that make this place so unappealing to black folks.
Again, people like me have ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS had to work within systems that oppress us. We've almost never had the *luxury* to nope out of places on principle.
So when you suggest that it's impossible to be at twitter without supporting Nazis or whatnot, it betrays a very weird level of digital privilege.
Cut it out.
Paul Cantrell
@jrm4 @atomicpoet @BlackAzizAnansi
It seems to me that everyone upthread is correct, and the obvious combination of the perspectives here is the correct one:
Getting people off Twitter is good for the world, and the solution is not to chide individuals into changing individual behavior, but to work even harder to create better alternatives and make them truly welcoming.
(See also individual vs systemic solutions to climate change; many similar lines of thought.)
Chris Trottier
I know that Twitter is where your friends are and you’ve spent 15 years building your social graph on that service.
But is that a good reason to aid and abet the spread of Russian propaganda?
Even if you believe Russia is a far off concern, this isn’t true—it’s patently obvious that Russia is influencing domestic Fascism as well.
The likes of Candace Owens don’t appear in a vacuum. They are clearly influenced by the Kremlin.
Chris Trottier
“But I’m mocking all the Fascism on Twitter, or blocking it whenever I see it!”
Doesn’t matter. Elon Musk controls the algorithm. As we’ve already seen, he dictates what is seen and unseen.
Anyone who speaks out against his agenda can find themselves talking to a proverbial wall. Or at least brought out as a punching bag when the need arises.
And your blocks don’t matter if Elon really wants to force Twitter to see something.
Your continued presence on Twitter helps no one.
Properganda
Americans are moths to Russia’s, the CCP’s, Qatar’s & Iran’s flames. If we don’t wake up ASAP, we will not keep our republic for long.
Kansas Grant
@atomicpoet I respect your opinion, but it is only that.
Chris Trottier
@KansasGrant Again, is it only my opinion? See also: https://weaponizedspaces.substack.com/p/kremlin-twitter-accounts-get-a-boost
Kansas Grant
@atomicpoet If only it were that simple. You see, the people I engage with on Twitter are just as anti-fascist as I am.
Let's compare that with the people I engage with here, after five months of daily use.
Oh, nobody much engages with me here. So, I guess I don't have any data for comparison.
The folks who post here do seem very nice though - notwithstanding their near total lack of reciprocity whenever I try to pleasantly engage with them.
So, based on my experience, it looks like my options here are to be a broadcaster (like the folks who never engage with me), a fan (who praises broadcasters), a troll (who causes trouble to get engagement), or a lurker (who reads but is totally invisible.)
Ideally, I would become a fan, and heap adulation on all the broadcasters here. However, becoming a lurker is more my style. So please be advised that I typically read and enjoy your posts when they come my way.
Over and out.
Chris Trottier
@KansasGrant If people are still on Twitter, they are helping the cause of Fascism.
Chris Trottier
Look, I get it.
Nobody likes to be told that they’re helping the bad guys. Especially when they’ve spent their entire lives self-identifying as liberals or progressives.
You’re on the side of human rights, not the Nazis, right?
Well, this is where actions speak louder than words.
It’s time to stop with the hot takes and dunks.
It’s time to log out of Twitter and never come back.
Chris Trottier
I also understand—and empathize—that people often have no choice and must use Twitter.
If the choice is between making rent and eviction, I get it.
But that’s not everyone. If you’re privileged enough to leave Twitter, it’s your duty to log off forever.
That’s how you can thwart the spread of Fascism.
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