Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Unless It's With Twitter/X
My relationship with Twitter/X isn’t that old when measured in time. But if we go by how much aggravation and disgust I’ve experienced on it, it feels prehistorical (i.e., having passed its time of use or usefulness).
I opened my first of two accounts in 2018. Of course, six years seems like ancient history these days. Life comes at us fast.
Under that anonymous profile, I was able to speak my mind regarding US politics without fear of some nut job showing up at my house (and there are plenty of nut jobs on the platform.) I currently don’t spend much time there for that reason, AND because I think Elon Musk is a moron.
But 2018 was smack in the middle of the ‘Trump debacle,’ and I needed to vent and address some of the trolls who were spreading ridiculous disinformation. Because I believe we have a responsibility to do that.
And while I’ve used various monikers to describe these people (see ‘moron’ above), I called them out whenever they displayed shitty behavior and judgment against others.
This brings me to the purpose of today’s post.
I watched all four nights of the Democratic National Convention, but the morning after Tim Walz’s acceptance speech, I decided to check Twitter/X to see what the reactions were.
Boy, was that a mistake. 😩
Something that brought me to tears during the previous night’s coverage became fodder for the right-wing trolls and haters.
Apparently, Governor Walz’s son Gus is neurodivergent:
Having or relating to a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information: exhibiting or characteristic of variations in typical neurological development
Neurodivergent individuals often have particular communication needs and preferences, heightened sensory sensitivity, and challenges with executive functioning. (merriam-webster.com)
I was unaware of this as I watched the episode in real-time. When the TV camera first showed the Walz family applauding Tim as he gave his speech, I noticed Gus was getting choked up and had tears in his eyes.
I thought, “Wow, it’s not often you see a young man who can show his emotions like that.”
Sadly, our society has always celebrated toxic masculinity ( aka, real men don’t cry.)
When the camera panned back over their family, it stopped on Gus. He cried, clapped, and pointed to his father, excitedly repeating, “That’s my Dad!”
At that point, I realized there was more going on. I recognized something other than simple emotion. I couldn’t say precisely what it was because I wasn’t yet familiar with his condition.
Now I am.
But those who made disgusting remarks on Twitter/X and then claimed (after the fact) that they ‘didn’t know’ are either liars or perfect examples of who they indeed are.
In case you missed this whole sordid affair…
Talk about weird… -Ann Coulter - Conservative Media pundit
Sorry, but this is embarrassing for both father and son. If the Walzs represent today’s American man, this country is screwed: ‘Meet my son, Gus. He’s a blubbering bitch boy. His mother and I are very proud.’ - Jay Weber, Conservative radio host for WISN 1130 AM - iHeartMediaMilwaukee.
Tim Walz stupid crying son isn’t the flex the left thinks it is. You raised your kid to be a puffy beta male. Congrats. Does Barron Trump cry? Nope. Does he love his father? Of course. That’s the types of values I want leading the country. - Conservative streaming host and failed New Jersey Republican candidate Mike Crispi
Right-wing Conservatives also had a problem with First Gentleman Doug Emhoff and his daughter Ella. I read one post that was so awful I won’t share it.
Notice a pattern here?
It seems to me these nasty people are giving conservatism a really bad name.
The definition of conservatism is:
Attitudes or opinions tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions (merriam-webster.com)
Based on that definition, they shouldn’t call themselves Conservative. They should use an appropriate word that describes exactly who they are: Extremist Hatemongers.
Going back to elementary school, I despised bullying whenever I witnessed it. I don’t know why it affected me so much when other kids looked on with what seemed like disinterest and, at times, excitement.
I got nervous and upset, and these feelings stayed with me for hours afterward.
Social media platforms have brought together the worst of humanity and given them a microphone to say whatever their tiny little minds can come up with.
I genuinely believe those who put others down really don’t like themselves. And because children learn what they live, they may have been bullied, too.
No excuse.
That’s what adults who bully others remind me of. They’re the mean kids on the playground who would name-call and make fun of other children. Sometimes, they got physical, knocking youngsters off the swings or taking their basketballs away until an adult would intervene.
As adults themselves, this now translates to advertisers and subscribers, the folks who send money to gain clicks or affirm their own sick beliefs.
Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X to create an “everything app.” He stated the following:
The Twitter name made sense when it was just 140-character messages going back and forth – like birds tweeting – but now you can post almost anything, including several hours of video. In the coming months, we will add comprehensive communications and the ability to conduct your entire financial world.1
Musk took over in October 2022; since then, Twitter/X use in the United States has dropped by more than a fifth. As of February 2024, daily app users in America have fallen by 23% since November 2022.2
Under Musk’s control, the rise of racist, antisemitic, and extremist content and technical issues has driven away users as well as advertisers. Monthly U.S. ad revenue at X has declined at least 55% yearly since he bought the company.3
Whatever the case, I’m sick of the garbage dump that X has become and am deleting the app from my phone (the only place I look at it). They say your account will likely be purged if you don't log in every 30 days.
That’s okay; I’m gonna save them the trouble.
This was an unscheduled post, so thanks for listening and letting me vent. I feel better now, and wish you all a terrific weekend!
If you have any thoughts on these subjects, please share:
I applaud you. I joined Twitter way way back in my writing life but found I disliked the 140 character rule. I used it less and less and finally, when Musk took it over, because I dislike the unprincipled man that he is, I closed my account and never looked back.
I can't believe the comments on Gus Waltz. I'm not American, and possibly have no right to comment but that sort of hate-talk, belittling, bullying - call it what you will - has no place in any society.
As the world knows, its Trump's modus operandi and it's infected so much of the American world. I hope with every fibre of my being that the man loses the election for America's sake and for the image that America is showing the rest of the world.
I was never a Twitter or X fan and when Elon Musk took over I was even less inclined. I am appalled at Ann Coulter's comments. I agree with the right to free speech, but there is no room for that garbage.