Chris TrottierNov 18, 2022
UPDATE: As of this morning there are now more than 7 million Mastodon users, most from the #TwitterMigration.

In fact, 100,000 new accounts have been created since last night.

Since last night's spike 8,000-12,000 new accounts are being created every hour.

Yesterday, I estimated that Mastodon would have 8 million users by the end of the week. That might happen a lot sooner if this trend continues.
Show threadChris TrottierNov 18, 2022
By the way, if you're wondering why I'm posting from this account rather than my usual mastodon.social account, it's because mastodon.social is about to give up the ghost -- and as I told all you, it's best to have a back-up account and self-host if you're able.
Show threadChris TrottierNov 18, 2022
If you want perspective on how bad Twitter's collapse is, the Guardian is urging users to back up and archive all their tweets. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/17/twitter-archive-tweets-company-shuts
Users urged to archive tweets amid rumors of Twitter implosion

People are wondering what parts of their online selves, loved ones and favorite celebrities to save in case the bird goes belly up

The Guardian
Show threadChris TrottierNov 18, 2022
It's hilarious that the Atlantic are trying *really* hard to understand why Elon Musk is destroying Twitter, as though there's some grand logic that makes this all make sense. There's no Big Brain Master Plan happening here. It's just a guy making impulsive decisions. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/11/elon-musk-twitter-advertising/672156/
Why Elon Musk Is Blowing Up Twitter’s Business

The new owner says he hates advertising. That’s a problem because it provides 90 percent of his social-media platform’s revenue.

The Atlantic
Show threadChris TrottierNov 18, 2022
Bloomberg are now reporting that Volkwagen has joined the #TwitterMigration. Can't read the entire article because it's pay-walled, but they're reporting it.

I don't know what instance they're running, but if it's one that run by a volunteer, they better be donating! https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-18/volkswagen-joins-mastodon-as-concerns-over-twitter-mount
Volkswagen Joins Mastodon as Concerns Over Twitter Mount

Volkswagen AG has set up accounts on fast-growing Twitter Inc. alternative Mastodon amid questions over the future of the social network under Elon Musk.

Bloomberg
Show threadChris TrottierNov 18, 2022
CNN is mourning Twitter's death as "the world's digital public square", and wonders what happens next.

I'll tell you.

We make another public square that's based on open protocols and *not* owned by a single corporation. That means that everyone familiarizes themselves with this big collective thing known as the Fediverse, and we start re-making the very *meaning* of a public square. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/18/tech/what-if-twitter-dies/index.html
Show threadChris TrottierNov 18, 2022
The BBC is really asking, "Is this really the end of Twitter?"

Yes, it is: not as a going corporate concern, but as a cultural concern.

And once a social media culture dies, it's as good as dead -- it will never recover. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63675849
Is this really the end of Twitter?

The BBC's technology editor looks at claims that Twitter may be heading for calamity.

Show threadChris TrottierNov 18, 2022
Elon Musk is trying to do damage control on #RIPTwitter by claiming "We hit an all time high!!!"

Well, you know what else just hit an all-time-high? The Fediverse: 1 million new accounts on Mastodon alone! https://www.tmz.com/2022/11/18/elon-musk-twitter-all-time-high-shutdown-panic/
Elon Musk Says Twitter Hit All-Time High During Shutdown Panic

While millions online saw Twitter as a sinking ship amid reportedly hundreds of employees quitting, Elon Musk claimed the company saw an all-time high in usage.

TMZ
Show threadJan-Theo Wassink
@atomicpoet As for the "all time high" : might he be referring to the proverbial ice berg?
Nov 18, 2022 at 7:28pmWeb