SwiftOnSecurityDec 29, 2022

I really truly think a social media hack is enthusiasm.

People (maybe a majority) follow me on Twitter who have no career focus on computer security.
I follow farmers on YouTube just talking about their tractor repair tribulations with perseverance. I will absolutely never drive a tractor or put any direct tractor knowledge they give me into practice. But I care because they communicate larger fundamental insights into finding solutions.

This is a magic ingredient. You can't really fake it. And people know when they see it. It's one of those inescapably human manifestations the brain recognizes micro-signals from.

Show threadSwiftOnSecurity

As someone with 375k followers on Twitter:
Being fluent in social media is important, but effusing genuine enthusiasm is more.

I post computer security thoughts, random shitposts, 30-tweet threads of a short story. People do not fucking care as long as they sense true authentic effort towards what you produce.

Due to turnover I can lose more followers in 1 month than most gain in their entire life. I track the statistics. Or, I did. You have to believe in your message because doubt when turned into unqualified denigration will ruin you.

Dec 29, 2022 at 5:19amWeb
Show threadHazel WeaklyDec 29, 2022

@SwiftOnSecurity It really is remarkable how well humans can detect actual enthusiasm in others and how much of a difference it makes.

I'm super glad about that, for what it's worth; I think being enthusiastic about life is one of the coolest parts about being a human and hope everyone gets to feel how awesome that is and share it with others who appreciate it 

Show threadTiffany LiDec 29, 2022
@SwiftOnSecurity Your posts about the art/science of social media have been really helpful for me. I remember when you broke down why dog_rates was so successful, and that was the first time it clicked for me that people didn’t just become popular online for no reason.
Show threadJuriDec 29, 2022
@SwiftOnSecurity I came for the interesting info sec and I stayed for the corn and plane shitposting
Show threadJuriDec 29, 2022

@SwiftOnSecurity I guess I’m saying I’m not gonna cornplane

…I’ll see myself out

Show threadEmma IrwinDec 29, 2022
@SwiftOnSecurity you are the best account on Twitter.
Show thread0ne.ca11ed.patDec 29, 2022
@SwiftOnSecurity yes, but those who are still here will continue. I sense a shift in more open and direct communication that was missing or being manipulated in algorithm or manner that seem to fit the narrative. More and more the dialogue seems to be opening. This is for now the continuation and always will be moving forward.
Show threadAphrodite (recharging)Dec 29, 2022

@SwiftOnSecurity

i’m trying :)

though admittedly things are supremely weird in my life and trying to share that absurdity is a challenge :/

Show threadMatt SickerDec 29, 2022
@SwiftOnSecurity there’s no point in having that many followers. I bet a huge part of your follower attrition was people who’d follow you, try to interact, but get ignored while you only interact with blue checks and huge accounts. Sounds a bit like celebrities. Or like an RSS feed.
Show threadJérémie GavenDec 29, 2022

@SwiftOnSecurity thanks for this inspirational though.

We have to be kind and honest with ourselfs so that when we send a message to the community, it will be perceived as just.
Truly believe most people can perceive instinctively this ...

Show threadMatt Linton Dec 29, 2022
@SwiftOnSecurity
Show threadPsycodepathDec 29, 2022
@SwiftOnSecurity never Stop being you and corn facts. Never stop those.
Show threadCory FoyDec 29, 2022
@SwiftOnSecurity And, you don’t make it all about you. You engage with others, retweet or boost others, share approaches from other people - and share when things work or don’t work for you. That’s what I appreciate most about following you.