sdfloDec 16, 2022
Dan Gillmor

Musk's suspension of tech journalists from Twitter is, on balance, the best thing that can happen right now. Not because it's a good idea, but because it's such a transcendentally stupid move.

It highlights the vile and capricious way the new CEO and part-owner has operated.

It highlights his contempt for freedom of expression, which he claims to revere.

And it will lead to an even more rapid exodus of people who want civility and usefulness online.

#birdsite #journalism

Dec 16, 2022 at 1:05amWeb
Show threadDan GillmorDec 16, 2022

The redoubtable Ben Collins -- one of the best in the business - just came aboard Mastodon. You should follow him immediately. @oneunderscore__

(I'll put together a list of tech reporters and post it soon.)

Show threadSolemn AutumnDec 16, 2022
@oneunderscore__ @dangillmor finally.
Show threadSeasonsDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ Micah Flee just suspended
Show threadChaz BrenchleyDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ - ooh, thanks for this.
Show threadCenobyte Dec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ I hope they all come here! That would be awesome and a huge boost to the fediverse
Show threadMark Bignell Dec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ followed and glad to see you here. Tonight is insane.
Show threadmem_somervilleDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ As long as he doesn't bring that curséd sandwich with him, he's welcome.
Show threadShawn WegnerDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ how do you make a list on Mastodon?
Show threadLDec 16, 2022
@shawnwegner @dangillmor @oneunderscore__ yes please. Tell us.
Show thread.seaksDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ yyyeessssssssssss finally
Show threadAlan MartelloDec 16, 2022

@dangillmor @oneunderscore__

Welcome Ben - many of your friends and followers came here from the fowl site ahead of you so you wouldn't feel too lonely once you showed up.

I love the fact that a journalist who specializes in reporting on dystopia has taken a partial break from the unfolding dystopia at the #birdsite

Show threadLDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ following
Show threadBathsheba BlueDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ found his account tonight and followed him. Since he was reporting on the suspensions he may be in Elmo’s sights.
Show threadTerry CarterDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @oneunderscore__ @wasootch Thanks! I just followed him.
Show threadBrian DearDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Absolutely incredible. The guy is mental.
Show threadMariya DelanoDec 16, 2022

@dangillmor I don't understand why so many people were / are still on there.

Musk cannot be trusted. He's shown time and time again that he is going to abuse his power.

He is abusing private data, access to information, public perception, his own team... there are very few lines that he hasn't crossed already.

Show threadBathsheba BlueDec 16, 2022
@mariyadelano @dangillmor
Same. What will it take?
Maybe this will wake people up.
Show threadBlueTeamSherpa Dec 16, 2022

@mariyadelano @dangillmor I had to get in touch with Uber for a cluster(####) I had this evening. Twitter was good for that.

I’m there still for that reason, and a person I follow is only there.

Other than that….

Show threadLee 🌏Dec 16, 2022
@mariyadelano @dangillmor
There are a lot of politicians and clean energy people I follow who are not here, so I keep going back.
Show threadMariya DelanoDec 16, 2022

@MrLee @dangillmor that’s true, there’s still a bit of inertia. While some people are still on there, others will stay for them.

I honestly just pulled the plug early on with no plan on how to find people again…. With Mastodon and LinkedIn I’ve found most accounts I used to follow now. People are moving and will move elsewhere

Show threadLaureDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Musk also led mobs against people like Fauci, Roth and Paul Pelosi. He sicced mobs on innocent trans gendered people icymi. Zero sympathy for the journalists who ignored all those bright lines just to get ego strokes. It’s a far right megaphone. That’s all it is now.
Show threadtom4okstateDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor he's literally giving people less reason to stay with every high profile account he suspended. Keep it up Elon.
Show threadLazarou Monkey Terror 🚀💙🌈Dec 16, 2022
@dangillmor he's not just needy, he's stupid as well. #ElonMusk
Show threadPeter PrincipleDec 16, 2022

@dangillmor

" it will lead to an even more rapid exodus of people who want civility and usefulness online."

It only really matters if it also leads to a further exodus of advertisers as well -- or hammers Tesla stock down some more.

Those are Elon's only vulnerable spots, at this point.

Show threadKevin Karhan Dec 16, 2022

@dangillmor Eeyupp...

It'll accelerate the inevitable death of #Twitter and push people to #Mastodon as #decentralized platform...

And once all the interesting #media and #journos are here, the #TechIlliterates & #normies will follow...

AND THAT'S GOOD!

Show threadlampDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor it highlights his lack of integrity and trustworthiness!
Show threadMichael BehrDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor it’s SOOOOO dumb. Their content is what draws the audience to his site. It’s like buying FAO Schwartz and then throwing out all the toys.
Show threadJeffDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Twitter is becoming useless
Show threadcaseyjonesedDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor F him!
Show threadRyan SchultzDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Yep, we better batten down the hatches; I predict this next wave of people setting up accounts here is gonna be EPIC.
Show threadKristof ZerbeDec 16, 2022

@ryanschultz @dangillmor

I'm not sure if we #Mastoners should cheer Elons actions at some point, facing the fact that Twitter has around 250 million users (descending) and here are about 10 million. It reminds me of the #Asterix comic books ... a little town in Gaul, resisting the Roman empire. What if the majority of #Twitter user stays there and starting believe in the lies that the right-wing gang tells them? Horrible...

Show threadKristof ZerbeDec 16, 2022

@ryanschultz @dangillmor

... Musk is so many things, but not stupid...

Show threadZoeInBinaryDec 16, 2022

@dangillmor this makes perfect sense if your goal is to capture and isolate a new contingent of voters who consume nothing outside your specific bubble. Like Fox News but for millennials.

Make grand statements. Dangle some red meat for the wolves. Then quietly get rid of opposition sources and any references to alternate news media, and they're yours.

Show threadJackRussell02Dec 16, 2022
@dangillmor But is it more stupid than TFG's NFT trading cards? Hard call - I could go either way.
Show threadaaronprideDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor “trancendentally drunk”
Show threadkzwaDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor it was my last straw, and I’m outrageously stubborn. N of 1, I know, but fwiw
Show threadMike BloomfieldDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor I completely agree. He's bought himself the rope and he's using it. True colors always show.
Show threadfishDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Musk is the best marketer for mastodon.
Show threadThe Reverend Jim IgnatowskiDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Amen. Not that I'm a big loss for Twitter or a big gain for Mastodon, but it's the last straw for me. Finally signed up here. I'll continue to get Twitter notifications for those I follow, if they keep posting there, but I'll never simply scroll through posts again.
Show threadRich Tong ❤️🤷‍♂️Dec 16, 2022
@dangillmor it’s just incredible
Show threadEllen KellerDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor It also puts mastodon on a nationally Known level. It was the best free advertising for this site that anyone could’ve asked for. I predict a huge growth in users after this.
Show threadWill KikerDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Yep, this is a tipping point. Tonight is the first time Mastodon has really felt like Twitter. 🙌
Show threadPiper TraceDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor it's literally why I'm here right now, reading your post.
Show threadkidshareDec 16, 2022

@dangillmor

"people who want civility and usefulness online"

When did Twitter ever have such people?

Show threadBernadetteDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor yep, I left tonight.
Show threadThomas H Jones IIDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor If the goal was to get people off the fence, then "mission accomplished," neh?
Show threadSilverLineDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Elon is a dictator intent on muffling your intellectual freedom with billions of one dollar bills ……
 
“HAL: [His shutdown] I'm afraid. I'm afraid, Dave. Dave, my mind is going…”
Show threadcharlesesmithDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor ...and there is a new, transcendentally stupid move basically every week he's owned the thing. Kind of amazing, really.
Show threadKristof ZerbeDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor Unfortunately, the campaign that is being run on Twitter right now is another axe blow in the direction of dividing society, and the mass of people are still on the "other side" and may not even notice how they are being influenced right now.
Show threadJoanna Bryson, blatheringDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor @1br0wn I hope it will accelerate federal intervention. Twitter is essential political communication infrastructure, and there are a lot of political crises going on globally RIGHT NOW. Even if it was badly architected and it's good for us to be airbussing its boeing, casually allowing the destruction of essential infrastructure constructed through vast public effort as well as private is an error. #birdsite #journalism #digitalGovernance
Show threademmatonkinDec 16, 2022
@j2bryson @dangillmor @1br0wn
Tbh I think if I were a fly on any wall right now I'd be taking a curious look at those govt organisations with any exposure to SpaceX and Starlink. Generally speaking sane govts frown on relying on fruitloops for a) functions relevant to defence b) large things that go kablooie c) to a lesser extent, anything at all.
Show threadAvi Rappoport (avirr)Dec 16, 2022
@emmatonkin @j2bryson @dangillmor @1br0wn Good that NASA’s new rocket worked, I’d rather not be totally dependent on SpaceX
Show threadBec BradwayDec 16, 2022
@dangillmor I'd been hoping for a stronger reaction from the news organizations. Instead, NBC silenced Ben Collins.