Charlotte Clymer

The legacy of Twitter is such a complicated topic. It's difficult to parse out its influence.

I was recently chatting with another trans woman, and she emphasized that, for all the bad it has put out, the site has been a critical lifeline for isolated trans folks.

I've read similar for migrants, refugees, natural disaster victims, etc.

Our society has so failed marginalized communities that even this shitty website has been a blessing for them.

Food for thought.

Nov 19, 2022 at 3:36amWeb
Show threadschoolingdianaNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer Hopefully all of them can find a better experience here. I’ve been telling my son he needs to get on here but he’s very hesitant. Idk why he thinks I’m clueless. If we get real Tardis technology in my lifetime, I’m so taking him back to the 80s so he can see for himself why Boy George was so popular and accepted. Plus Freddie Mercury, George Michael, etc.
Show threadSSFC KDT (MOVED)Nov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer Those shitty websites have been much more a case of "best available" than "actually best"
the profit motive is not your friend, it's not marginalized communities' friend either.
Show threadMikell KoberNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer it’s also a great way to learn (quietly, without taking oxygen) about other marginalized communities one isn’t a part of. You learn about life experiences, common intrusions, insensitive assumptions, etc about identities and cultures you don’t have exposure to.
Show threadSarah O’Connell Nov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer It’s difficult isn’t it? I’ve had some horrific times on that site. But also made some incredible friends, been able to help people around the world, and spread joy on it too.
Show threadKirstenNov 19, 2022

@charlotteclymer I’ve seen this refrain over and over from so many communities on Twitter.

And knowing how the early connections I made on the app in 2008 quite literally saved my life and helped me to have my dream career - I agree that for any bad, it brought a lot more good to us than we tend to give it credit for.

Show threadJocelyn JohnsonNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer I’m sure it helps trans people of all ages, nationalities, ethnicities, and creeds know that they are not alone. That it’s ok to be trans. And perhaps guide those who are still on the journey to important resources without leaving a telltale Google search history which might out them before they are ready. Knowing one is not alone, and hearing others stories, may make it easier for them to accept themselves for who they are.
Show threadKtmacg79Nov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer it’s not that they “failed marginalized” people…it’s that they created the margins in the first place. We keep feeding the problem. I love Twitter too, but it needs to starve. If owned by a man like him…yuck. We become the problem. We fail society by boosting him up.
Show threadAndy PearlmanNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer I've said this before on Twitter, but you and Parker guided me to help my trans students have an easier time of it — even got my college thinking about what it could do better and now students control what names are on rosters are seen by professors vs. parents, etc...and I think I would have tried without Twitter, but wouldn't have as much empathy or understanding.
Show threadJay CheroskeNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer This type of social network is a utility the world needs. What we don't need is the kind of centralized control found in the for-profit networks. Here, we no longer need to beg our corporate overlords for decent moderation. The de-federated nature of this network puts power into the hands of many. Let's dedicate ourselves to helping those still stuck on the other app to make the move.
Show threadbryNov 19, 2022

@charlotteclymer THIS.

I used most of today for migrating the followers I could here and on Tumblr. Learned the basics and dusted the latter because I realized the usage i give it for not feeling isolated, as I’m in a transitional chapter where I had to cut many relations. Naturally my interest was to have all running smoothly ASAP.

As I was saying farewell to Twitter, without notice some grief showed up, and made me aware of the role it had had since 2011.

Show threadMartin Vermeer FCDNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer And Elmo doing us all a service by taking it out of circulation at a time when a somewhat mature, superior replacement is actually on offer.
Show threadpamsailsNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer Before twit ew had various sites. I did not do much on twit. I think Mastodon might make a better "home" too.
Show threadJHadleyCNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer It was also a double edge sword for mental health. People fighting depression and other mental health conditions could find others who understand their experiencesas well as helpful information on treatments but the birdsite and SM in general is full of megalomaniacs and can be beyond toxic.
Show threadJae ErwinNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer Including disabled and neurodivergent communities ❤️
Show threadTy RossNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer I think it was definitely a double edged sword of sorts, but there was community in a lot of ways as well. Finding support, allies, a tribe of one’s own. It’s definitely a loss, but perhaps it was time so we could get healthy again as humans
Show threadMinuteLRMNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer I really valued the opportunity to follow other communities. Trans Twitter, Black Twitter, and all the rest allowed me to learn a thing or two from real people.
Anyway, glad I can follow you here.
Show threadBen RudolphNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer It is (was?) an amazing tool for connections. I mean, we met there! My life would be less full without Twitter, and I hope it lives on.
Show threadMallory 🏳️‍⚧️Nov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer All the more reason to move onto a platform that isn't proprietary and siloed. All the more reason to move away from platforms that are driven by a profit motive, and are controlled by the whims of the rich and powerful
Show threadAmyNov 19, 2022

@charlotteclymer Agreed! I didn’t post much but I consumed, and learned, and followed, and then put into practice IRL. Made me a better person and ally.

Twitter was also vital for things going viral that needed amplifying to a wider audience. I’m thinking of police brutality and hate crimes against marginalized communities.

Show threadWendyNov 20, 2022
@amybonzo @charlotteclymer I agree that the ability of Twitter to help needed causes go viral is something that was a critical function. I don’t know how that can happen now on Mastodon.
Show threadAnde JacobsonNov 19, 2022

@charlotteclymer I agree that there is good that comes from Twitter, or at least did up until recently when Musk created the current turmoil (which he didn't have to do). Pretty much all of social media can be used for good or ill, it's merely a tool. It's value depends on how people use it. The connections people make are real and can be lifesaving and enriching. It can also do real harm when those with malicious intent take action.

It's kind of the ultimate in buyer beware.

Show threadRileyNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer I'm trans and live with three trans roommates, and I'm the only one that didn't meet them on twitter. While I've been giddy watching its destruction, it's definitely been tempered a lot watching the distress they've expressed seeing the place they met many close friends and partners fall apart in front of their eyes.
Show threadStatmonkey 🙊Nov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer Excellent point. I think that is why the right is happy it is dying.
Show threadBonnie SchwertnerNov 19, 2022
@charlotteclymer you know what it’s like in Texas, politically, especially in ruby red rural counties like mine. Any time I found a blue tweeter from Texas, I felt less alone. Being a blue dot is disheartening, until we meet likeminded people.
Show threadJamie McCuskerNov 20, 2022
@charlotteclymer bird site is definitely not what it once was. Originally it let me connect with other academics and help facilitate the Arab Spring. No longer.
Show threadjurgburyNov 20, 2022
@charlotteclymer lovely to see you here!
Show threadAtlanticAtheist 🇨🇦Nov 20, 2022
@charlotteclymer Perhaps folks can migrate to this space for this lifeline. The world must work at getting better.
Show threadChanlELvnNov 20, 2022

@charlotteclymer

A prime example of the "Demon Daughters" (Twitter in this case) acting as the Shoten Jenjin (functions in life and the environment that serve to protect us) - a concept in Buddhism expressing how seemingly harmful things can serve our life condition regardless

Show threadAimee GieseNov 20, 2022
@charlotteclymer You are so right. It's complicated. But as much as we all joked about it being a hellscape - there was a lot of good too.
Show threadTheJenNov 20, 2022

@greeblehaus @charlotteclymer

I never would have met you, for example. :)

Show threadAimee GieseNov 20, 2022
@JenWojcik @charlotteclymer Exactly. ❤️
Show threadMostlyTatoDec 24, 2022
@charlotteclymer
I think this may be exactly the reason it is being subverted to a more repressive narrative:/
Show threadSpoiledRottenBabyAug 19, 2023
@charlotteclymer Disabled folks & chronic illness shut- ins also relied upon #twitter to stay connected to the world, friends.