Today, one of the biggest things on the social internet happened, with Elon Musk buying Twitter. So here's a little reminder of Mastodon. Not our usual news, but it's too big to be ignored. Twitter is a massive and important platform and now it's going to be wholly owned by Elon Musk. Regardless of your thoughts on Musk, it's still a little alarming.
Good news for those who do dislike Musk, as there is a great alternative available with Mastodon. Not perfect, nothing is, but it is a good option to try. It's very much like Twitter except it's free, open source, has no adverts and anyone can host their own instance. Thanks to how it's designed, people can follow and talk to each other across these instances too.
GamingOnLinux is on Mastodon, so feel free to give us a follow. If you don't care about this whole thing, you can also follow us on Twitter.
From the Press Release:
Bret Taylor, Twitter's Independent Board Chair, said, "The Twitter Board conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive process to assess Elon's proposal with a deliberate focus on value, certainty, and financing. The proposed transaction will deliver a substantial cash premium, and we believe it is the best path forward for Twitter's stockholders."
Parag Agrawal, Twitter's CEO, said, "Twitter has a purpose and relevance that impacts the entire world. Deeply proud of our teams and inspired by the work that has never been more important."
"Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated," said Mr. Musk. "I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans. Twitter has tremendous potential – I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it."
It will be interesting to see if Musk does open up more of Twitter.
Then again, that's true for most mainstream media not called BBC. "Free speech" usually translates to the opinion of whoever owns it.
Quoting: KimyrielleI don't do social media, but any single individual controlling any large media is always concerning.
Then again, that's true for most mainstream media not called BBC. "Free speech" usually translates to the opinion of whoever owns it.
The BBC is no different either.
Quote"I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans.I guess it's time to delete my account...
Last edited by senpaigamer123 on 25 April 2022 at 10:30 pm UTC
Quoting: GuestWonderful news! Very interested to see what they open source.
apparently they have already now open a github repo for their algorithm
https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1518708233057226753?t=MVEbJd-eld6bX9pVaoFA7Q&s=19
Quoting: GuestGiven Elon Musk's childlike understanding of free speech (basically what he likes is good, what he doesn't like is bad) things are about to go from bad to worse on Twitter.>basically what he likes is good, what he doesn't like is bad
That is exactly the mindset of a majority of Twitter users and exactly what is wrong with Twitter.
Quoting: senpaigamer123Quote"I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans.I guess it's time to delete my account...
Won't help you. He wants to authenticate all HUMANS, not all Twitter users. :P
Last edited by tohur on 25 April 2022 at 10:54 pm UTC
Quoting: tohurPolitical crap drives me away from any of these platforms.
Totally... Zealots in both camps that repeat the prefab craps from lobbies and not realizing they are being manipulated, thinking they know better. The waaaaayyyyyy too loud minority that's occupying 95% of the public space turned me away from social platforms, a while ago.
I have a Facebook account and barely use it anymore. Never used any of the other platforms... Aside from Twitter and Facebook, I would have a hard time naming them.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."
-Socrates
Last edited by Mohandevir on 25 April 2022 at 11:36 pm UTC
Quoting: MohandevirQuoting: tohurPolitical crap drives me away from any of these platforms.
Totally... Zealots in both camps that repeat the prefab craps from lobbies and not realising they are being manipulated, thinking they know better. The waaaaayyyyyy too loud minority that's occupying 95% of the public space turned me away from social platforms, a while ago.
I have a Facebook account and barely use it anymore. Never used any of the other platforms... Aside from Twitter and Facebook, I would have a hard time naming them.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."
-Socrates
yep Zealots on both sides are what drives me away from any platform. I don't lean either way but I don't mind convos with people but once ya start trying to shove your beliefs down peoples throats and censoring everyone doesn't agree then there is a problem
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