Why You Should Quit Twitter
By: Anthony Fireman
Tags: Mental Health, Social Media, Advice, Technology, Life

The Importance of Context

Social to me means you follow the rules of civil discourse regardless of the degree to which you agree or disagree with the opinion before you. It means endearing, pragmatic self-expression so as not to infringe on someone’s personal space.

This doesn’t mean you have to be politically correct. Tweeters cannot expect everyone to like what you read no matter how you write it; Tweetees can’t expect to like everything they read no matter how it’s presented. Expression and consumption takes emotional intelligence and discipline. It is a social responsibility.

Throw a dart into history and you’ll find these underpinnings are thee one true symbiotic social contract-the same contract that consecrated our founding documents, the Civil Rights Act, nuclear treaties, and the NBA bubble.

And when it comes to our historical record, do I believe Twitter can foster social change? Of course I do. Yet, it’s the quality of Twitter’s debates and campaigns that test our nation’s morality every day like never before. Love him or hate him, John Lewis’s brilliance and legacy is his non-violent protests that changed the world. He withstood many beatings, bled, and almost died sticking up for civil treatment for African Americans. On Twitter, it doesn’t matter who you are. One wrong tweet or outing and you’re a target for a social, professional, and even economic beating.

You can argue that other social platforms aren’t much better, but I’m not so sure about that.

If we consume media this way, why use Twitter if we cannot have civil discourse. We cannot solely react and not listen all because there’s no regulating body that says hey there, you need to check yourself and listen up. If we don’t understand one another, how much value does Twitter provide?

For instance, Facebook is geared toward personal connections like new friends, BFFs, neighbors(if you dare), and those you haven’t seen in thirty years and won’t see for thirty more. The premise is you have something in common with your “friend” whether it be work friends, college zoommates, or a crazy uncle. These common threads are what establishes “the line” you don’t cross.

LinkedIn, on the other hand, is for your professional network. It’s one giant community chest bump over career success. LinkedIn is excellent at boasting about promotions, job changes, accolades, ideas, and group chats. If you lose your job, this is where you set up shop to network and get ahead.

Aare Facebook and LinkedIn perfect? Heck no!

Facebook, for instance, won’t take down offensive material. You can post Mark Zuckerberg is a bonehead with a freaky, spockish bowl cut and they’ll leave it up for everyone to “like”.

Meanwhile, part of advancing on LinkedIn is requesting recommendations which feels cheap. Proprietors just trying to pay the bills must ask their customers to leave a glowing review. You know, something like, “Hi Reader, I hope you’re well. Say, can you please clap, comment, and become a fan if you like this article? I’m trying to grow my fan base, grow my revenue stream, and keep the lights on. If there’s anything you ever need written, I’m your man.”

It’s crude, right? However, Facebook and LinkedIn are relatively civil compared to Twitter because they exist in context, and the context provides the structure for civil discourse to exist. Twitter does not have this.