30 Comments

It seems to me that Elon Musk's leading characteristic is an overwhelming need to insert himself into every narrative. So naturally, as one of the world's richest men, of course he is going to seek to own - and micromanage - the platform on which the world's narratives are spun. It's the ultimate vanity project.

Still, MySpace came and went, and HisSpace will go the same way before long.

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Thanks David - that Paxlovid is a horrible miracle. The sour taste - and I reckon it inflamed my arthritic knee to the point I struggled to walk - but I’d take it again as it made my recovery much quicker than my partner who is still suffering 3 weeks on.

Twitter v Mastodon - night v day. I use Twitter a lot to keep in touch with the news - follow RNZ, Guardian etc and seeing what people I follow post from news sites (and their POVs) is a huge benefit of the dystopia. That’s a factor that will keep me there - but is it going to implode??

Mastodon already features some of my favourite #NZTwits and it’s so nice to communicate knowing some asshat isn’t going to interject something vile. Yay for that!

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Well I'm going if you guys are both there. How do I find out what server to join?

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I’m on mastodon.nz as andrew_r_4

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I usually go on twitter when I'm following items from other posts eg MTAF and then I start browsing other things, it's a time waster.

The Black Fern's vs France was brilliant to watch last night, both teams were on fire.

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Yes it takes all kinds and tho I don't want much to do with many, the internet gives the ability to glimpse into others minds. And that is a mixed blessing as you say.

The thing is when some peoples paucity of understanding on issues is exposed, many will double down and yell back its not me its you, or whatever it is they don't like! something I find odd to say the least.

And the contrast is is well illustrated by Musk and the man whose name he commandeered for a car. Nikola Tesla, who died in poverty even as his invention AC power made investors rich beyond their dreams. His trusting almost naive shy nature protecting him from the greed all around him. He didnt want control, just to see his ideas benefit the rest of humanity.

I will take a look at Mastadon for sure

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I really like where you are heading with this page David. Sure hope you recover quickly x

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So sorry to learn the dread rebound got you. Lots and lots of rest, and when you think you are better - more rest is the prescription for a good recovery.

I had figured out a way to keep my corner of Twitter fairly civilized but if everyone I enjoy communicating with moves to Mastodon, I will as well. I’ve created a profile @smslyons on the NZ instance, and downloaded the app. As a #pwME whose brain fog is worse post COVID, learning a new interface is going to be a struggle, but the people will make it worthwhile. All tips for making it work are welcome!

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Just joined Mastodon! It will take a wee while to get used to it, but it took a wee while to get used to Twitter too, so.....

Interestingly, I had a phone conversation with my brother today about the amount of fear, anger, anxiety, hate that seems to have proliferated here in A-NZ The threat of Trump, AGAIN, in the middle of the chaos that is the US; the UK floundering; the Russians/Ukrainians......

We have a choice: we can join in and try to rebut the nastiness and use our precious energy that way, or, we can use that energy to come up with ideas, suggestions, actions that raise the standards and deliver outcomes that feed us in a real way.

It's not denying the negative; it's more focusing on the positive.

Have a great day, one and all!

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Nice one David. Made my day!

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What a good way to start the week, reading the above...thanks yet again to your input

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Love the optimism in your post David, and the steer to a new social media option. It’s a good reminder as I’ve found myself composing replies on twitter posts to try and explain or offer a kinder perspective, or call out an obvious troll (also, there’s this one dude in Tauranga, who is obsessed with hammering the womens rugby, & his post trigger the most revolting people…) but increasingly deleting the draft and moving on. I can put in a plug for twitter secret santa tho, lots of kindness in there.

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Yes, I've often found myself doing the same. I tell myself there'll be something nasty in replies to certain posts, so why look....only to look and then spend time writing responses, and then, finally deleting them.

There are people on Twitter who are such joys, but there are others who are sad people, who must spend their days in a fug of negativity. With Musk now "Chief Twit", I don't hold out much hope for the former group.

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And...have to say a look at Twitter just now confirmed it. I think it would be better to leave, but as with when I left Facebook, I will sever some connections to people whose views I value.

Perhaps I need to make sure they know where I will be found?

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Thanks David, I also reconnected with Twitter having been off it for several years. I’ve enjoyed the access it provided to a wide range of publications through one portal, while blocking and trying to ignore the attackers when expressing an opinion.

Now I’ll be leaving again, so will give Mastodon a go, and of course continue with your dependable column.

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Musk is a worry to say the least , too much money too few morals

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MTAF is a noble enterprise David. And thank god for it.

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Rebuilding my community one click at a time on Mastadon....it feels slow and heavy, much like a mastadon. Still hoping that Musk won't fly the Twitter bird too close to the sun. That he'll somehow push the stop button on his 'Bottomless Pit of Greed' setting.

Not holding my breath.

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Today i linked to MTAF via a mastodon link, which actually made me feel very happy. Bonne Dimanche mon copain.

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Tx for the Mastodon link, David. Have been meaning to go there and now I have - it looks very civilised at this point. I shall join. Hope you’ll be back to your usual biking/running self when the time is right.

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