Microblogging Vibe Check

Keeping it short this week and doing a quick check in on the short posting sites.

November 17, 2023

Twitter Alt Vibes

Elon continues to be a racist on Twitter, sorry X. Bluesky hit 2 million users this week. And I've actually tried to use Threads this past week, so it felt like a good time to check back in on how various Twitter alts are doing. 

Threads has been okay. The algorithm still gives the app a disconnected from time quality and aggressively pushes users you don’t follow into your feed. There’s a vaguely LinkedIn vibe to how some hustle advice and business cheerleader types post, which, thanks to that goofy algorithm, actually makes it to my feed. I’ve seen too many genetically attractive people making uninteresting videos and way too many unqualified opinions about the conflict in Gaza. But there’s also a decent group of tech journalists and professionals doing good posts and some decent jokes. On Bluesky this weekend, I described it as “if LinkedIn and Twitter fucked, accidentally conceived a child, gave it up for adoption, then Instagram tried to raise it.” Crass but I stand by the accuracy. 

Speaking of Bluesky, the vibes are delightfully deranged there. As Twitter collapses, there’s been a growing contingent of adult content creators joining the app. I still firmly believe the internet needs safe spaces for consensual adult content creators and sex workers to share their work, and a Meta-owned service like Threads is just never going to be that space. In addition to the professional and amateur horny users, Bluesky’s been a good source of news, analysis, and academic conversation for me. All that plus weirdo humor. For example, Bluesky users spent a whole day this week riffing on a deranged Quora post about a skydiving evangelical baby. 

the infamous anti-piracy PSA "you wouldn't download a car" but changed to say "you wouldn't skydive a baby"

Despite all the positives, Bluesky is still smaller and in an invite-code-only beta, so it’s hard to gauge its longevity. Threads is putting out new features way faster than Bluesky, but you need more than technically good features to build a viable social network; you need fun people using it. Threads feels like it will have staying power if for no other reason than the sheer willpower of Meta’s deep pockets. Bluesky still feels uncertain; it’s growing more slowly by many metrics, but it’s been way more fun. Right now, I find myself bouncing between the two throughout the day. Maybe that’s the equilibrium this space will settle into in the end. 

Oh, and I hear people are still using Mastodon, but I haven’t had the emotional strength to look at it in months. 

Platform Updates

Instagram & Threads

The Rest of Meta 

TikTok

YouTube

Google 

Apple

Amazon

Twitter, Sorry X

The Dumpster Fire

Twitter Alts 

Culture Movers 

Film & TV

Music 

Gaming 

AI 

Spoooky Season Never Ends

Those who know me IRL probably know I love Halloween. So it should come as no surprise that I’m still deep in my spooky content bag. I’ve been binging What We Do in the Shadows, a mockumentary sitcom about a group of dysfunctional vampire roommates living on Staten Island. It’s great. And because it’s me, I’ve also been enjoying videos like this essay from YouTuber James Somerton about What We Do in the Shadows, the history of vampire fiction, and why gay people love them.