Walk away from toxic platforms

Give the finger to manipulative social media platforms (Source: here)

Social media has evolved a lot since early days, when platforms provided a forum for free expression of views, sharing of information, and discussion. Today, most social media platforms are heavy manipulated by algorithms.

The manipulation of social media platforms still causes consternation among more intelligent users, who, in many cases, stubbornly refuse to leave despite the increasing toxicity.

To some extent, their platform-loyalty is understandable. After all, active social media users get emotionally attached to platforms. They also do not want to lose their hard-won followers. Some even believe, naively, in my view, they can use rational argument to sway audiences despite the top-down bias of the platform algorithm.  

I strongly disagree with platform-loyalty. Social media users should leave the instant they feel manipulated on a platform.

The reason is simple: the purpose of heavily manipulated platforms, such as X (formerly Twitter) and Truth Social is not to convert intelligent users, such as you and me, to Far-Right ideology. Nor is it to provide a forum for us to sway others. No! The real purpose is to trap weak-minded users inside echo-chambers within which they can be controlled and - should circumstances require it - mobilised in the service of fascism.

This is why Elon Musk did not mind that he lost a huge number of intelligent users after he converted Twitter to X and began to manipulate the algorithm. Musk never intended for us to stay. In his mind, X was always destined to be a home for dyed-in-the-wool fascists and, of course, a platform for controlling the feeble-minded.

The smart thing to do is to quickly pull up the tent pegs and move to another platform the moment you feel manipulated. Personally, I have changed social media platforms thrice. First, I left Facebook. I started on Twitter, but then moved to Threads. I am now on Bluesky (for additional discussion my social media ‘musical chairs’ experience see here). For now, I find Bluesky to be an acceptably unbiased forum for obtaining news and sharing views. Should this change, however, I will move on without hesitation.

The End