I never had a Twitter account despite people telling me I “needed one”. Thank you for contributing to the body of generalizable evidence that I still don’t need a Twitter account.
I joined Twitter in 2011 but didn't really use it til 2014, with Ferguson, when I noted how nothing about it was being reported here in Canada and to me it seemed maybe important. I left Twitter about 2 weeks ago, after Tucker Carlson was given his show by Elon. I wouldn't go on Fox News to use a message board, no matter how nice or funny some people might be. So that was the straw. I had thought I would go to Bluesky when it goes public but two weeks of less social media, well not transformative, has been nicer at least.
My feelings about Twitter are similar, though I find it's still the best place for connecting with educators (and where educators connect with me when they share about kids reading my/our books). Like you, however, I've noticed an increasing number of spam bots. I had hopes for Post.news but was disappointed.
I am still waiting for my code for Bluesky so I can check it out. Not optimistic.
Substack is my happy place these days. I like the opportunity for more thoughtful posts and discussions. I'm using Inoreader to help me keep my Substack feeds organized since it doesn't have private/public lists like Twitter does.
Very happy to find you here. As you already know, I am a huge fan of your longform writing as much as your shortform.
Twitter still shines for the communal wake. One of its best innovations - the real time mourning for shared childhood heroes. Signed back in last week for Tina Turner and am still signed in. Ironically that's how I am apparently the first person to see your substack post.
I never had a Twitter account despite people telling me I “needed one”. Thank you for contributing to the body of generalizable evidence that I still don’t need a Twitter account.
You really should get a Twitter account.
You are so GOT damn talented dude
I joined Twitter in 2011 but didn't really use it til 2014, with Ferguson, when I noted how nothing about it was being reported here in Canada and to me it seemed maybe important. I left Twitter about 2 weeks ago, after Tucker Carlson was given his show by Elon. I wouldn't go on Fox News to use a message board, no matter how nice or funny some people might be. So that was the straw. I had thought I would go to Bluesky when it goes public but two weeks of less social media, well not transformative, has been nicer at least.
My days on Twitter are numbered after over 12 years. It bums me out! You articulated how I feel about it really well.
My feelings about Twitter are similar, though I find it's still the best place for connecting with educators (and where educators connect with me when they share about kids reading my/our books). Like you, however, I've noticed an increasing number of spam bots. I had hopes for Post.news but was disappointed.
I am still waiting for my code for Bluesky so I can check it out. Not optimistic.
Substack is my happy place these days. I like the opportunity for more thoughtful posts and discussions. I'm using Inoreader to help me keep my Substack feeds organized since it doesn't have private/public lists like Twitter does.
Very happy to find you here. As you already know, I am a huge fan of your longform writing as much as your shortform.
For I have known them all already, known them all:
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
So how should I presume?
(Eliot’s “Prufrock”)
As yes, that scamp Eliot.
You beat me to it, Dan.
Perfect couple of lines to describe this: “I know the voices dying with a dying fall / Beneath the music from a farther room.”
Twitter still shines for the communal wake. One of its best innovations - the real time mourning for shared childhood heroes. Signed back in last week for Tina Turner and am still signed in. Ironically that's how I am apparently the first person to see your substack post.