Some notes on Twitter and Threads (and what the hell is happening around here)
Published: 2023-07-08 08:42:36

I believe Twitter is collapsing because of the media hosted on it. Twitter is tangled in conflicts across the globe due to its public discourse.

Twitter was most likely hijacked because of the information shared on it. It’s an ongoing struggle for platforms who hold true information, misinformation, and disinformation. Come on now, how do people expect a discussion on current events without opposition forces?

With platforms like Twitter, and I’ll also mention Facebook and TikTok, the threat for the wrong information to spread too quickly is a legitimate risk to both people and democracy, I’m sure you’ve realised this already.

The potential for Threads to become a neutral version of Twitter is truly exciting. It would require some design rethinking though. 

Here are some ideas on how to make this work:

1. Algorithm settings for categorizing or better organizing a social feed. People really love the back-to-back posts of randomness, eh? Doesn't seem digestible to me.

2. Both Twitter and Threads should create a separate platform exclusively for journalism on separately hosted secured servers. All background network activity of an algorithm must be documented in both digital and print. Secure true journalism on social media platforms by hosting data through a p2p network, if it isn’t already. 

3. Threads should be exclusively relayed in text and links, with less of a focus on viral media. This would cut down on hosting costs so advertisements can remain at a minimum. 

4. Widespread use does not equal good design. A flaw with social media platforms is having it centered around clout, with LinkedIn being an exception, or is it? The way a social media platform is designed should not revolve around a follow list. In fact, there's no reason to show who is following and who you follow to people, that's private information, most people forget this. How would you feel about the contacts of your phone leaking? People disregard this because they assume creators should follow the footsteps of other developers. Privacy anyone?

5. Instagram was always a claustrophobic design. Designing stories is Having to go through specific stories in a row, viewing posts on a grid layout, etc. It’s especially annoying when you spend time gathering a network of people and it’s a maze to reach them.

6. What's the point of replicating the same platform with a different layout? Instagram needs a design update and Threads has the potential to be its discussion wing. Threads should be a forum for discussion if people on Instagram are interested. 

7. Update Instagram’s design towards the Tumblr direction, or at least try that as a starting point.

8. Social media producers contribute value and receive little in return. Artists on Instagram should be a priority, one idea is a simple way for someone to purchase an Instagram post as a collectible. 

9. Multiple types of feeds on your account. Instead of trusting a random algorithm, tweets and posts can be tagged or categorized by news, memes, art, and so on. Elon and Mark need to get their act together and figure out a way for AI to assist in categorizing tweets. 

Another important mention is increased security. People get hacked all the time yet nobody can help them out, what an awful feeling! **There must be a "police department" equivalent to cybersecurity that is simple, human, and accessible for all.** There is still no 911 for the Internet.

There is still no government agency to oversee and/or protect people from a digital trespass other than the FBI. And they're busy. 

I believe it’s a matter of international security to persuade people algorithms and ads are safe and not infiltrated by any foreign or external sources. 

If the algorithm is a target to malicious infiltrations, Twitter can try a new secure platform entirely focused on journalism so the rest of the platform isn’t threatened by it, especially with the sporadic social feeds and vaguely explained algorithms.

With the way I see it, the tech industry is in a frustrating moment of tunnel vision. Twitter is being held by a thin thread and Zuckerberg convinced a ton of people to help him brainstorm for free to “rival him (Elon)”. It worked though, thanks for reading.

You’ll have to ask me for other ideas and design solutions :)