Twitter – A Eulogy

I joined Twitter in 2011, under an anonymous account to post freely without putting my job in jeopardy. I populated my feed with accounts of journalists, policy wonks and researchers from many fields, traditional newspapers, and newer outlets. Being a librarian by training, it wasn’t hard to evaluate the level of authority of the accounts. That was then.

I reposted and quote posted a lot, but I remember taking a long time to risk sending my personal thoughts into the world.

In 2012, I created another account under my name to use in a more networking and professional way. It did not work.

Even later, I created an account for my blog activity… it died of boredom.

When my city got overrun by hooligans in February 2022, Twitter was a quick way to find local news, including which parts of downtown to avoid on an hourly basis, how to find help and connect with neighbours.

Then The Billionaire bought it in October 2022. Soon after, I requested my archived info and deleted two of my three accounts.

Why am I mourning Twitter?

Because I enjoyed all the political banter, often following debates live with running commentary and me trying and (surprisingly often) being witty enough to garner Likes and positive comments.

Politics and positive comments? ON TWITTER? Yes, the beginning was fabulous.

Former Prime Minister of Canada, Kim Campbell, responded to my comment with a smiley face, folks. A SMILEY FACE!  And yes, it was really her because back then, there was an identity verification process that truly worked.

I had fun convos with my all-time favourite Sci-Fi star who shared much of her mental health and sexual harassment struggles, Claudia Black, and was able to tell her directly how much I appreciated her work. (No, I am not a stalker – she lives too far away for that 😉.)

When I was at my lowest health wise, I found a fabulously knowledgeable community whose members directed me to medical research and helpful resources happy to receive only my thanks.

During the pandemic, Twitter was the best place to get timely and pertinent information and any appropriate research. Many were also open to answer questions. Dr. Tara Moriarty, provider of free invaluable Covid data from Canada on is still there, and others are too.

Were there a bunch of pretenders and charlatans? Yes, but they were usually not verified (remember, the verification process was a legitimate filter back then) and those that were, were resoundingly taken to task with more expert information.

Having a problem with a delivery, cell phone, or cable service? How about a chain store? I would tweet and get a detailed response in minutes. How else can you get such a quick response time with people who can fix your issue or give you an appropriate update, in minutes?

I will miss this efficient time saving convenience So. Damn. Much.

Twitter is now known under another (ridiculous) name, which I refuse to use. My remaining account is still active and gets hit by bought sexbots with every post and comment I make.

It’s the price I am stuck paying to continue to interact with the kind and helpful souls I met there, who for many reasons, have not migrated to another platform. Not former politicians or TV stars, but regular decent and caring individuals.

I am truly mourning this platform and feel incandescent rage towards The Billionaire for ruining it all for us, over a fragile ego endeavour.

None of the platforms that came up wanting to replace it (Bluesky, Mastodon, Spoutible, Threads (owned by another billionaire)), are making the cut and the evil unleashed by The Billionaire will never go away.

But it was fabulous while it lasted.

Christmas Wishes

The Christmas season is upon us. Everyone out there being merry.

I have a special thought for all  those sitting by the bed side of a very ill someone and those who have lost a loved one recently, may it be physically or emotionally.

I see you and send you warmest wishes for the load to lighten.

To everyone out there, take very good care.

Begin, again. (Not a Taylor Swift song)

In 2016, I enjoyed reading Felicia Day’s You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) and a sentence struck deep into my soul: “Eventually, I emerged from my own private Hades.”

I didn’t remember how long ago it was, I thought I read it once I was stuck sick at home. I was floored that I had that feeling already nearly two years before going on permanent sick leave.

I’ve taken the long way to say, very tentatively after having so many bricks fall on my head over the last six years, that I made it through enough of my personal Hades, to come back here and talk about my experiences without overwhelming the reader with sadness and pain.

I have many ideas for new posts, some will come to fruition, others not. Stay tuned.

Like the yogis say, I begin.

Again.