Remembering, on January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., was attacked by a mob of supporters of 45th U.S. President Donald Trump in an attempted self-coup d’état, two months after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. Wiki.
Perplexity shares the history of Twitter, now known as X, as being launched in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams as a microblogging platform. It quickly gained popularity, becoming a key tool for real-time communication and social interaction. In October 2022, Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion and initiated significant changes, including rebranding it to X in July 2023. Under Musk’s leadership, the platform has aimed to become an “everything app,” integrating various new features while maintaining its core functionalities.
An international online friend joined Bluesky. Reading that the power behind the new platform is Jack (remembering him as one of the founders of X) piqued my interest.
Perplexity says, Bluesky is a decentralised social media app developed as an alternative to Twitter, conceptualised by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. It operates on the AT Protocol, an open-source framework that allows for transparency and interoperability with other social apps.
Unlike traditional social media platforms, Bluesky is not controlled by a single entity, promoting a more open and customisable user experience. Users can create posts similar to tweets, follow others, and customise their feeds using various algorithms.
The app has seen significant growth, reaching over 14 million users by November 2024 (could we interject and say ‘since Trump/Elon won the election’?).
To digress, without creative new thinkers, society today would likely be less innovative and adaptable. Creative thinking is crucial for problem-solving, innovation, and personal fulfillment, enabling us to tackle complex challenges and develop unique solutions. It fosters empathy and understanding, contributing to social progress and a more inclusive society. In business, creativity drives innovation and success, attracting top talent and enhancing competitiveness.
Overall, creative thinkers help shape a dynamic society capable of addressing the multifaceted issues of our time. Despite its ubiquity, creativity remains a contentious and ill-defined concept, with a long history of propositions and contestations.
But what’s that all got to do with politics and social media you ask?
Well, a curious thing is happening online. People are leaving X because they don’t align with Trump, and in response they are joining Bluesky to comment on the unfolding fallout from the American election results.
On a global scale, it’s fascinating but also worrying. Why not join Mark’s Threads (for example)? Why join a subset of X? I will continue to ponder that!
As of 2024, X has over 500 million monthly active users worldwide. The platform also has approximately 245 million daily active users globally. So 14 million reported users on Bluesky isn’t really going to upset the applecart, however it’s one to watch due to the human activist element.
I researched a bit further and was fascinated to align my thinking to that of a ‘protest’.
Throughout history, there have been numerous instances where humans have rejected certain outcomes or formed movements against them.
One notable example is the civil rights movement in the United States, where figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. led efforts against racial segregation and discrimination, culminating in significant legal and social changes. Another example is Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March, a non-violent protest against British salt taxes in India, which became a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement. Additionally, Muhammad Ali’s refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War highlighted resistance to both racial injustice and military conflict. These movements demonstrate how individuals and groups have historically mobilised to challenge and change unjust systems.
Social rejection occurs when an individual is deliberately excluded from a social relationship or social interaction. The topic includes interpersonal rejection (or peer rejection), romantic rejection, and familial estrangement. A person can be rejected or shunned by individuals or an entire group of people. Furthermore, rejection can be either active by bullying, teasing, or ridiculing, or passive by ignoring a person, or giving the “silent treatment”. wiki
Are we witnessing a social media silent treatment or ‘social rejection’ as a political outcome?
International media played a crucial role in the success of Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March by amplifying its impact and spreading awareness globally. The event was meticulously publicised, with Gandhi ensuring both domestic and international media coverage. This level of international media engagement was unique at the time and helped elevate the Salt March’s impact compared to other contemporary protests.
Of course, during Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March, social media did not exist, as it was a pre-digital era (1930). The movement relied on traditional media, including newspapers and newsreels, to spread its message. Modern examples using social media include #BlackLivesMatter and #metoo. These (modern example) social media campaigns unfolded across ALL platforms to raise their awareness. They were not exclusive.
This would be the first we have witnessed two platforms explicitly at cross purposes. Another new moment in history thanks to Elon (and Trump)? Or has it always been this way? The Royals prefer X.
People speak.
Previous reading
https://charliehelenrobinson.com/2015/04/22/the-creative-process-is-more-than-one-giant-leap-for-humankind/
