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When I was young, we didn't eat grapes
Aug. 4th, 2013 07:17 amAmericans of a certain age may remember the boycott on table grapes and later lettuce, led by the United Farm workers. I had a child's understanding of what was going on--it was presented as the right thing to do, a way to show the workers that we were on their side. We lived in New England--we couldn't carry pickets signs at the fields in California, but we could vote with our dollars, and we did.
Perhaps because of this, I've always had the sense that individual actions could make a difference. Which is why I'm taking today off from Twitter.
Twitter isn't interested in providing a safe space for users. From their actions it's clear that they didn't care that the platform was being used to stalk, harass and threaten women with sexual violence for having the audacity to voice their own opinions. Twitter's late and half-hearted responses to the issue reveal the truth--the only thing Twitter is truly interested in is money. They need a large, active, loyal user base that spends as many hours as possible on the service, and encourages others to join, in order to make Twitter attractive to advertisers and business partners. Twitter only stepped forward when the issue attracted large amounts of negative publicity and they were under the threat of government inquiries.
In many ways Twitter reminds me of a popular nightspot that's been overrun by foul-mouthed drunken thugs. The longer management ignores the issue, the greater the odds that the regulars will simply pack up and decide to move elsewhere.
So today I'm taking a break. I'm not "letting the trolls win" as some have expressed elsewhere. I'm simply reminding the owners of the club that their customers have options, and if we're not welcome at Twitter, there are plenty of other places where we can settle down and have a good chat.
Perhaps because of this, I've always had the sense that individual actions could make a difference. Which is why I'm taking today off from Twitter.
Twitter isn't interested in providing a safe space for users. From their actions it's clear that they didn't care that the platform was being used to stalk, harass and threaten women with sexual violence for having the audacity to voice their own opinions. Twitter's late and half-hearted responses to the issue reveal the truth--the only thing Twitter is truly interested in is money. They need a large, active, loyal user base that spends as many hours as possible on the service, and encourages others to join, in order to make Twitter attractive to advertisers and business partners. Twitter only stepped forward when the issue attracted large amounts of negative publicity and they were under the threat of government inquiries.
In many ways Twitter reminds me of a popular nightspot that's been overrun by foul-mouthed drunken thugs. The longer management ignores the issue, the greater the odds that the regulars will simply pack up and decide to move elsewhere.
So today I'm taking a break. I'm not "letting the trolls win" as some have expressed elsewhere. I'm simply reminding the owners of the club that their customers have options, and if we're not welcome at Twitter, there are plenty of other places where we can settle down and have a good chat.