In the ever-evolving world of social media, a significant portion of users are content to observe from the sidelines. However, tech billionaire Elon Musk, who now owns the popular microblogging platform Twitter, has a message for those who just can’t bring themselves to hit that ‘Tweet’ button.
Musk, a Twitter enthusiast who has often made headlines with his provocative and unpredictable tweets, has now turned his attention to the more passive Twitter users. These are the individuals who regularly log into the app to read others’ posts but rarely, if ever, share anything themselves.
On Sunday, Musk shared an image on Twitter of a man lounging on a platform, watching the activity of numerous individuals below him. The caption? “People who have Twitter but never post anything.” Accompanying the image, Musk cheekily wrote, “Oh hi lol.”
Responses to Musk’s humorous call to action varied. Some agreed with the sentiment, one user commenting, “What can I say… Watching the world turning into a chaotic place if definitely cooler than participating in it.” Another user chimed in with, “This is the best move ever tbh, just observe.”
During a conference in Paris on Friday, Musk elaborated on his decision to acquire Twitter. He expressed concern over what he perceived as the platform’s “corrosive effect” on civil society, stating, “I was concerned Twitter was having a negative effect on civilization and anything that undermines civilization, I think, isn’t good.”
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Musk conveyed his hope to steer the platform in a more positive direction. He believes that most regular Twitter users would attest that their experience on the platform has improved under his stewardship. “We’ve gotten rid of 90% of bots and scams and various bad things happening. We’ve gotten rid of 95% of child exploitation material on Twitter, which was a shock to see … some of what was going on for 10 years,” Musk revealed.
However, the tech mogul also joked about the hefty price tag attached to his new purchase, quipping, “If I’m so smart, why did I pay so much for Twitter?” The reference was to the whopping $44 billion he shelled out for the deal.
Musk’s acquisition of Twitter was finalized in October 2022, and it wasn’t long before he made significant changes. Within days, he laid off nearly half of Twitter’s workforce in what he referred to as a cost-cutting measure, a move that sparked considerable controversy.
So, if you’re one of those Twitter spectators, maybe it’s time to join the conversation. After all, in the wise words of Musk, “Oh hi lol.”
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Receipts will come from ISIPP.