Losing Access to Truth

What the fall of Twitter means and why we should call out naked emperors

If you aren’t on Twitter, you probably haven’t thought much of its ongoing drama and what may be its impending collapse. I am on Twitter. It’s where I go for news and real-time information and has been for years.

It has changed the way media and advertising and marketing work, and even if you aren’t on Twitter, you’re probably going to be affected by it if it closes or becomes unusable. It’s often mined by “journalists” for “news stories.” It’s also used by government agencies and other organizations to share real-time information. It’s sometimes even referred to as an entity unto itself in other forms of media, e.g., “Twitter reacted to X.” Not to mention, it’s used by small businesses, artists, authors, freelancers, and sex workers, among others, to connect with audiences/customers/clients, i.e., their livelihoods. It’s used by nonprofits and activists and countless GoFundMes to spread the word. It’s used by the disability community and other vulnerable people as a lifeline. It’s used to connect people with common interests — I have personally made friends on Twitter.

Twitter also plays a vital role in crisis and disaster communication. Twitter has provided tsunami and earthquake warnings; it has helped first responders find areas in need; it has helped people find community in healing after disasters. It’s functionally a public utility that is now owned by a megalomaniac billionaire having a…