The X Return

It seems more people and organizations that were principally opposed to the X (ex-Twitter) network a few short years ago are now returning. Sometimes, they are doing so with apologies, as if they know it’s a bad look. The latest is the Apple-centric publication Macstories. The move was accompanied by the requisite explanation that they do not support the politics of Elon Musk or the direction he has taken the platform.

To this, Manu Moreale replies:

I’m sorry, but this is not how things work. By being on the platform, by using it to reach the audience that’s on there, you are directly supporting the man. Because the platform only has value because people are on it, and you being there makes the situation worse, not better.

The real truth, as Moreale points out, is that Macstories is more becoming a site about artificial intelligence, and a lot of the discussion around that subject happens on X. In order to reach the people they are trying to reach, the staff at Macstories (or at least the founder, Federico Viticci) feels they have to be there. After all, this publication is how they make their living.

I stopped following Macstories some time ago because they were mixing in left-wing politics with their extensive write-ups of the latest Apple OSs. I realize every casual observer has extensive and forceful political opinions these days, but the fact that Macstories has gone back to X shows they don’t really have the courage of their convictions in this area.

I can’t judge the people returning to X too harshly. My own mom has stayed true to the platform, despite being disgusted by Elon Musk and all he stands for. I actually understand the Macstories position more, since at least they are affected monetarily by not being on the platform. Most people (including my mom) wouldn’t be able to convince me how the value add from X to their life is so great that they should set aside their values to be a part of it.