It is kind of an institution, it really has been a de facto town square of the internet in a way that no other social media platform ever was.
But it could die. The network effect works both ways, and if big accounts emigrate it's in real trouble.
But it could die. The network effect works both ways, and if big accounts emigrate it's in real trouble.
I hope it's a good lesson for everybody that a private company can't be a de facto town square. An internet town square must be based on open protocols and, like an IRL town square, paid with taxpayers money. Otherwise, we're doomed to have this story repeated again and again.
Usually, this was followed by "and users are free to leave if they disagree". Nobody said you have to accept these decisions.