AOC's response to the anti-woke 'response' by Huckabee Sanders
Thoughtful, articulate, calm & smart... She gets 'context and perspective'. Unlike #GQP
#gqp
"Very interesting... but not funny!"
Channeling Laugh-in. But seriously, this is indeed interesting in that the Koch brother(s) have a great deal of 'clout' (AKA $$$$)
What does it mean? Maybe just a drop in direct subsidization of Trump, maybe pro-active funding of opponents or 'fresh' blood.
"It is what it is" for the moment....
Koch Political Machine Vows to Fight to Deny Trump GOP Nomination in 2024
Meanwhile in #Muskville ...
Wheels are churning @ #Twitter HQ, apparently... First are all the promos (nee 'grift' ?) for the new "Twitter Blue".
Twitter Blue
For the average user (who probably doesn't exist), the 'vision' is a subscriber base where every ordinary human entity must pay $8/month to be "verified" and get that iconic blue check. What does that mean now? It means you paid $8USD and provided a phone # by which they can reward with you with "only" 1/2 the ads now running amok in comment feeds and anywhere they can put what advertisers they have, getting terrific rates on "promo" blasting. That's the carrot, less ads (not even ad-free like YouTube Red!), but you are allowed to be seen rather than having all your tweets go right into the ethernet dumpster.
And then, hit up the corporations who buy your ads, say $1000/mo ('protection'?)... to deliver a cult of paid subscribers:
Elon Musk Wants to Charge Businesses on Twitter $1,000 per Month to Retain Verified Check-Marks
Cause/effect and #psychology would both predict chaos and/or implosion as the Old "Town Square"is now a place for well-heeled anarchy, and/or deeply invested devotees of #GQP, #MuskVirus, #racism, #disinformation, #hate, #division, and #sedition.
Meanwhile, those not paying $1000 or $8 or attention, will see only promoted ads and sites, plus dedicated cultists & #Musk lovers.
How does he expect businesses to pay $1000/mo as "insurance" of keeping a large audience, while also charging users - who still see ads, while parading their own "verification" blue check, which means Twitter has a phone number to monetize. Not much more.
"Horrid Kevin" McCarthy*
'Horrid' Kevin McCarthy Called Out For Hypocritical Statement On Integrity
Hypocrisy much, ya think?
For that matter, if 'awoke' to #truth....he of all creatures has 'standing' to speak of integrity. And of MTG? def, Oxymoron.
Stop the #GQP hate, #disinformation, #sedition and assault of #democracy . #MakeAmericaSaneAgain - in "Our" House first!
Un-paywalled article on the status of the #GQP prospects for cutting basic American (paid for) senior care/security programs -
#SocialSecurity and #Medicare
Republicans are hardly unified on wanting to cut Medicare
Context for non-Americans: There are two programs for senior citizens/elderly, which are paid for by workers' taxes over their lifetimes. Separate from budgets, but some "conservative"/ "Tea Party" GOP'ers have long portrayed the system as broke(n), which it is not, and tried to loot 'the people's' senior safety net and benefits to fund their own projects, now depleted by their spending.
Anyway, not the title... "hardly unified" as of now, and that may be true of anything, beyond disruption and obstruction of #justice with regard to the #sedition aided and abetted by those now sitting on committees which were investigating their criminal behavior. whew!
Here we go... #TrumpVIrus #sedition enablers now investigating anyone/anything leading to their own obvious guilt.
Obstruction, conspiracy to interfere with valid #election on #Jan6, and protecting and enjoying #corruption via the #GQP cult.
House GOP Hits The Launch Button On Its Most Corrupt Scheme
Wow.... a lesson in bald-faced lying, from the speaker of the new US House of Ill Repute.
"You know how it goes...."
In the aftermath of the 'new McCarthyism' in the #GQP #House, as #McCarthy sold what for other might be a soul, and rewarded the most obvious #sedition, #lie, and crazy-drenched Q-world conspiracy lovers (like MTG & #GymJordan) with committee assignments (#Santos the chemeliion too).... What about #truth, _ ever_, from McCarthy? A short anecdote from one of our national leaders who has strived to represent #democracy, and We the People, now kicked off the committees where he devoted himself to public service.
Nausea warning - (but no surprises)
Trump said he didn’t know “Silk” at all. Then for the eulogy of “Diamond” all he talks about is him. What a disgrace!
Here is Lord #TrumpVirus at the funeral of "Diamond", 1/2 of the viral "Diamond & Silk", popular cheerleaders of the Q/#GQP cult.
Silk said Trump always treated them like his own children, Eric, Tiffany... (oddly, she may be right)
King StableGenius said he really did not know Silk- 50% of the show he supposedly loved! After being called 'family', at a *#!&'n funeral! Then he launched into word salad, bragging, Big Lie, etc. 🤢
#sedition #lies #GQP #DJT #DiamondAndSilk #nauseating #miscreant #psychopathology #MalevolenNnarcissism
Meanwhile....
Late Show: Adam Kinzinger
Complete: (Cold open is spot on: #GeorgeSantos: https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/q69mil5sXaHERHN8gIIH88n9CrHHvNX4/
Next segment: Kinzinger calls BS...
Kevin McCarthy announces new GOP plan on how to deal with outspoken women
Meanwhile....
Mary Trump on The RR Podcast
As we still stew in the toxic sludge of the #TrumpVIrus / #GQP cult's alternate reality....
Something different:
A YT "short" with a serious Randy Rainbow interviewing Mary Trump, who describes " #toxic #narcissism " per DSM.
Recalling so many discussions about diagnosis, #malevolent #narcissism, and the #toxic 'thinking' of DJT cultists
Heh... and we (disinformation and trauma drenched masses) still haven't definitively addressed the #Jan6 #sedition ...
Well, books to sell I guess... Anything new here? Anything new in the realms of #justice, #accountability, &/or #truth?
In new memoir, Mike Pompeo says Trump told him to ‘shut the hell up’ about China
Meanwhile, in the U.S. House of Lunacy, Conspiracy, #sedition, #corruption and False Equvalency....
Dem Rep Eviscerates Jim Jordan For Tweet Questioning Why Trump Was Raided But Biden Wasn't
Dan Goldman fact-checked Jim Jordan's tweet claiming a 'double standard' because the government executed a search warrant against Trump for his classified documents.
#yesreally #GQP #FalseEquivalency #GymJordan #USC #treason #sedition #accountability #truth
Meanwhile... my current take on #socialmedia / #media
Twitter on Fire (lies, #Muskvirus etc.. and holding fire sale' today!) ..."to help pay the rent" (Bloomberg)
#1, #Twitter is in flames (literally having a "fire sale" today) but in terms of tone, crowded exits, and big debates among "regulars" about the morality/business sense of staying with a platform actively courting #racism, #misogyny & promoting #GQP/ #TrumpVirus
fueled hate and #conspiracy . As its owner has fun with his toy, indifferent to appearances or even a cash drain. (He has lots more)
#2 - "Other"
Mastodon- We are now seeing a very active & vibrant #Mastodon and related Federation sites, including some instances (pods) set up by news organizations. At first there was limited 'fresh content' and some were just Twitter mirrors, "in case" Twitter implodes. &/or to test the waters. In the first weeks of this year, it's gotten to the point where one can choose from various feeds (local, Fediverse etc) and see it regularly updating. A wide variety of talents being offered (George Takei memes, researchers' findings, a huge #Caturday showing ("CatsOfMastodon"), some diplomats. many journalists (as individuals. off the company site), lots of music, photos, art....
So, given its huge growth, constant improvements, and generally very good "vibe" reflecting the pleasant community... it works!
That said, it's not the mythical (wished for) "Twitter replacement:. On some levels, it is - an interesting mixture of ordinary people and public or entertainment figures (small now but growing), and a friendliness typical of pioneers settling a newly found, hospitable place.
But it is not Twitter's identical twin - it's ad free and not algorithm-driven. I've yet to see a single trolling or spam, though my time has been limited and mostly focused on the feature set and finding news/information sources. The cats, photos & music are icing on the cake for me, and may be core value for many. It's not as long-form or 'conversational' as 'here', but OTOH there are new acquaintances and resources awaiting 'out there' in large number, for those who want to immerse. Note that you can easily repost, tags work very well (and you can follow them) and the interface allows for seeing/liking//contacting content on other instances, so if you're on a small one, you can connect via a search and connect, and that pod becomes connected. If you're on a huge pod, same, people can find you. Anyway, it's viable. One disappointment/debate for some - users cannot "quote tweet" easily. OTOH, it's as easy as on FB or MeWe to post articles, music vids, etc, by just typing the url. No editor necessary. But not as much formatting options as "here" (image insertion, e.g.). But then, most of the new users are coming from Twitter, not escaping from 'here'. Here is fine! (Comfy/friendly)
Post.news
I'm sad to break the news but this is definitely not "the next Twitter"! It's just come out of Beta and wait-list only and people can join. (See for yourself! I'd love to hear your findings/experience). Briefly, it has lovely formatting, a dream for bloggers, with a fill-in slug for "title" and easy description or text, plus thumbnail/photo. It looks professional and many of the early adopters are journalists, novelist, etc. For them, it may be nice, but as a publicists' destination more than "social media". It is difficult to 'share/repost' without adding a story, and active moderation prevents instant posting or posting at all (for me, about 1/3 of the time). Function-wise, mostly now I cannot 'like' or even post (was I bad?) as in trying, I click on the star, it increases one number, then goes back. I took time to carefully compose a post and tapped the "publish" button 100 times, nothing happening.... So much for the 'experience'.
One more general experience: the feed looks polished, and long posts will have a "read" button to continue. But also, many articles require points to read. Some orgs are 'charging' tokens for nearly everything, some are lighter (learning/economics curve?). Most personal posts, except some "influencers" trying to grow big audiences, also are charging points. Users have been getting 50 points to use for purchasing reads or for "tips". (Don't ask? Tough to explain). Sort of like "Brave" browser sharing points for seeing ads.
Again, I can see potential as an auxiliary publicity method for authors, publicists, journalists, and news orgs. But "social"? Not so much, to tell #truth. Some comments, yes, but the whole thing seems super clunky to actually use. I've gotten some followers and likes, have yet to get a single notice via the 'bell'. And as I said, recently I seem almost to be blocked from posting or liking.
🤷♂️
Now I did connect with a few journalists and social scientists I might not have on Twitter, interesting, solid experts and talented writers. But then that's it. I can follow my connections or "explore" (Ack! Shades of Twitter now turning TikTok blended with Fox!)
Redeeming features? It looks pretty. It has an intuitive 'form' (rather than editor) which for example instantly turns a word bracketed by asterisks (* .. ) into *italicized font, but like Mastodon, no way to insert images, that I've found. (Maybe a url to an image?)
And now there are posts I've seen decrying the new policies/features of Post which are seen as limiting, many expressing sadness that "Post will never be 'the next Twitter'". I concur, but had to check it out, and did so.
Have I forgotten anything? Well, #facebook is the same as ever, stealing/re-selling user data as its model and dictating what people "like". Of course the worst aspects get borrowed now by Musk, who steals from TikTok too. And #MeWe is the same, apparently thriving and a comfy spot for Facebook-like posting of selfies and music vids, no editors (but can edit), but definitely of no value to many Twitter users (the huge group currently in flux) if public posts are the goal. (It is, despite its initial claims, still a walled garden.) Some of the many Twitter users who actually do interact, and enjoy that aspect, may be seen 'here' or on MeWe, just as the Google+ crowd dispersed across options when Google lost its "Don't be evil" motto and changed it seemingly to #GoogleIsEvil
Speaking of, I know there is a whole slice of Internet (Not the #Truth network, #Fox, NewsMax, Rumble, Gutter, etc.) considered "social media" too, but the hate, delusions and division seem so central to that realm I'm not sure it there is not one big social media #cult . With its large presence across people's online bubbles. Mm, profits!
Well, "different strokes for different folks". Google+ was 'the best' in its day and way, as was Twitter.
~~
So, my take as of 18 Jan 2023
Twitter is flaming out, some holding on, some encouraging rapid exit, many hedging bets, others not wanting to be associated now, with conspiracy-spreading, anti-vax anti- #truth and anti-social elements. (Suddenly I'm getting followers - not ones I'd want!)
Mastodon has exploded in users, and handled it well. It has many beloved features, diverse users (both celebs/orgs and everyday people), and everything from #Caturday to fine art (photos/drawing/digital) to cartoons and political memes. (Without trolling and with options to mask images which might be deemed 'sensitive', plus captions). One can also chat, like, forward (though not "quote tweet", re-sending with comment or title for example). Features may evolve as they actively hire and follow through on enhancements which users want. It's not clear who/how/if corporate entities will benefit (as opposed to say, Twitter), but big instances like the original one ask for support via Patreon or local server hosts. No direct advertising in the feed.
Post - "pretty". Some good content and impressive posters, many literary & journalistic professionals.
Interface is either a gem or G-d-awful depending on one's comfort zone and/or goal. Not possible to post "live" now in many cases, and difficult to simply re-share something (or in my case for a few days, to even "like" a Post post. Has for-token reads and "tips".
All a bit thorny amid the roses IMM. Agreeing with some of its fans here: As it looks now, definitely NOT "the next Twitter".
Nothing is. Maybe that's good. Or not. Centralized town square vs. Federated Town Squares.... "We'll see what happens."
And meanwhile, @ diaspora * "here" - all is well. (Well, most!)
Other than the stagnant feature set that long-time users accept and/or deal with and/or embrace - no big mass-exodus to or from "here". Still can enjoy what we enjoy, be it cats, politics, photography, wordplay, whatever...
So I say again to 'my regular circles [aspects here] - I'm not leaving, see no reason, but as a social scientist and long-time user of (mostly) social media, I feel the need to follow a huge sea-change as it's happening, now fueled by Twitter rather than Google+.
I see and feel the anxiety, anger, confusion among so many on Planet Twitter now looking at a safe home for when it hits the fan...
George Santos took $3,000 from dying dog’s GoFundMe, veterans say
Article by Jim Acosta, actual journalist @ CNN. Posted moments ago with his Mastodon post, but this may be easier/quicker.
Why is it not surprising to see the #GQP still embrace the very pure examples of lies and unqualified humans to 'lead' We the People?
Surprise ?!
George Santos took $3,000 from dying dog’s GoFundMe, veterans say
Reported by one of the remaining true journalists, Jim Acosta (CNN)
As for #GeorgeSantos and his gang of #GQP miscreants, apologists, and #sedition ists ....
Stop the #TrumpVirus program of lies-are-good, hate-is-great, and Congress works for "me me me, GOP"
#MakeAmericaSaneAgain
And the winner of worst possible disrespect of Martin Luther King, and rationality too ... naturally, from Lord #TrumpVirus.
Surprise, surprise...
Trump Posts Very Dark, Disturbing and Threatening Message on Truth Social and People are Disgusted
#GQP #MLK #justice #accountability #karma. #MakeAmericaSaneAgain
Now here is good caption! And sadly, a real group of "representatives" (of?)
Triad of TrumpVirus
#GQP #TrumpVIrus #GymJordan #MTG #Santos #truth #accountability #MakeAmericaSaneAgain
Ya think?
#Media / #SocialMedia note -
I've decided to pretty much "let it be" on Post.news, other than a casual visit from time to time.}
I follow enough of a sample (mostly journalists, authors, and a few political scientists &/or commenters) so I have a feed.
I've posted a few things so I've seen the very nice formatting, (If you type within asterisks it automatically italicizes, for example, and there's an option for headlines with each post, etc.) You can "like" but not re-share as-is.
Unique sorts of things: You cannot just 're-post' / tweet / toot whatever, without adding to it, title, intro, whatever.
If there is a working notifications system/function it's quite oblique to me. I've never seen a notice even on the few posts I got reactions to, although in the beginning I did get email notices of a comment or 'like'. Lately I've seen nothing, though that might reflect my dearth of posts and followers. (I do use tags). I'm now seeing most of the news org feeds I follow, placing a price (nominal but there) on reading full articles. Some are only a few sentences long, some complain. Others full-length reads from expensive sites.
This one (graphic) is by one of the more prolific posters, an author who promotes his book and blog, but also posts freebies (always a surprise if hitting the "read more" button leads to a lengthy article or the end of one sentence). As you can see, the 'hot topic' capturing so much 'news' today is Biden's (false-equivalent) having left a few papers in his office when he left as VP. #GQP pouncing.
Pretty much I've been looking at the same few people's posts in my "following feed", including this very active fellow (author, mega-poster, and booster of the platform). And the media feeds I see are basically mirrors of Twitter accounts (Reuters, etc.)
I'm a bit wary of what seems like a trend (on my timeline at least) of mostly for-pay reads on the news org sites. So it's double-edged, the news orgs are 'landing' on #Post - mostly mirroring Twitter feeds now - and finding a new for-pay potential. Right now Post.news is still in Beta, and it may change massively yet, interface etc., and the pay-to-appreciate model (sort of like Brave browser!) is now fueled by the free tokens one gets at sign-up (50) plus one can buy more. Maybe a good "deal" for those who want to sample otherwise paywalled sites (like WSJ, WAPO, NYT, etc.)
So for the moment, my impression is of a nice interface for writers/bloggers, but a bit "one way" as opposed to encouraging a lot of interaction, comments, re-shares. I'm guessing some of the big celebs (George Takei for example) are also just branching out as a cushion for Twitter's losing many followers and accounts, &/or trying it out (many saying they like it.... but again, I see it more as a presenting platform than interactive, though that may reflect my limited immersion.
So that's that. I still see huge energy growing numbers in #Mastodon, more so than #MeWe or "here" in diaspora* land ...
Thing is, #Twitter is like a huge blimp with many holes. Lots of people saying "time to jump" and/or 'the fumes are toxic, just leave", as others wait it out. Lots and lots of bots - and #MuskVirus - #disinformation and #trolling.
Choice is good. It's nice to have some comfy spots to hang and share/discover, or just take in the view, or shoot the breeze....
Seems "all quiet here" other than some annoying glitch whereby constant notifications are sent about old posts, particularly on private rather than public posts, it seems.... Ah well, #IIWII , tech, interfaces, people....
