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@ citrongrau
2025-02-17 22:23:34
As a new artist embarking on my journey, social media is often considered indispensable for reaching an audience, sharing creative work, and building a community. Yet, despite being just at the beginning of this path, I've decided to step away from X. This might seem counterintuitive.
After all, isn’t social media where new artists are "supposed" to be?
But my reasons for leaving X outweigh its potential benefits, and I’d like to share why. A key part of my decision is also a desire to focus on privacy-focused social media platforms, like Nostr.
## **A Space That Feels Fake**
When I first joined X, I hoped to find a vibrant community of artists, creators, and music lovers. Instead, I was struck by how much of the content feels manufactured, performative, and inauthentic.
From exaggerated personas to posts carefully engineered for maximum engagement, it’s hard to discern genuine connections in a sea of algorithms and artificiality.
As an artist, authenticity is a cornerstone of the creative process. I want to connect with people on a real level, and X simply doesn’t feel like the space for that.
## **High Promotion of "Guaranteed Follower" Posts**
X is also inundated with posts promising guaranteed followers if you follow certain steps or buy into particular schemes. These posts feel transactional and shallow, further detracting from any sense of genuine community.
Building an authentic audience should be about meaningful connections, not about gaming the system or chasing empty numbers.
## **A Platform That Amplifies Hate**
It’s not just the systematic amplification of hateful posts from various antisocial bigots, nor the reinstatement of noxious individuals previously banned for such conduct, nor the deluge of porn bots and other automated gibberish, nor the scrapping of virtually all forms of moderation. Elon Musk himself has used the platform to endorse explicitly anti-semitic conspiracy theories in the past.
By remaining on X, users contribute to revenue that supports this toxic environment.
## **The Elon Musk Factor**
It’s impossible to ignore the influence of Elon Musk on the platform. Whether or not you’re a fan of him, it’s undeniable that his posts and interests dominate X’s algorithm. This creates an environment where one person’s voice is disproportionately amplified, drowning out diverse perspectives.
I’m here to explore a mosaic of ideas, not to scroll through endless updates about what one billionaire thinks.
## **Verification Chaos**
The decision to allow anyone—including parody accounts—to purchase verification has turned a once-meaningful badge into a farce. When parody accounts can pass as legitimate sources, the line between reality and satire blurs. This undermines trust and credibility across the platform.
It’s hard to take X seriously when something as fundamental as identity verification has become a joke.
## **Hypocrisy of Institutions Remaining on X**
Many public institutions, including universities, continue to maintain a presence on X for self-promotion, despite the platform’s deliberate and sustained violation of what should be their ethical standards. This is deeply hypocritical.
A few institutions, such as the University of Luxembourg, have left X, setting an example by aligning their actions with their stated values. The alternative? Platforms like the Fediverse and Nostr, where one can control their policies and foster a healthier environment for discourse and information sharing.
## **The Need for Genuine Content and Privacy**
At the heart of my decision is a deep belief that the world needs more genuine content and spaces that respect user privacy. I want to be part of spaces where creativity, authenticity, meaningful engagement, and data protection are prioritized.
Unfortunately, X no longer feels like such a space. This is why I'm particularly interested in exploring platforms that prioritize privacy. I’d rather invest my time and energy into platforms that align with my values and foster the kind of community I want to build.
## **What’s Next?**
There are other platforms, especially privacy-focused ones, where I can connect with people who value authenticity and data security. I’m excited to explore new avenues and create spaces that reflect the kind of world I want to see: one where genuine content thrives, authenticity is celebrated, and privacy is respected.