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Twitter's Demise and the Emergence of X

Elon Musk's Controversial Move

By Spencer HawkenPublished 9 months ago 3 min read
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Photo from X's own PR

In a seismic shift that reverberated through the digital realm, the worm has finally turned, and Elon Musk, the enigmatic entrepreneur, has given Twitter's co-founder, Larry, a defiant farewell. Debates over whether Larry deserved such treatment or not are now moot, as after an impressive 17-year reign, Twitter has now been laid to rest. Replacing it is a platform straight out of the X-Files, bearing the enigmatic name - X.

Elon Musk, never one to shy away from audacious ventures, announced on a momentous Sunday the demise of Twitter. He tantalizingly promised a revolutionary new platform that would rise like a phoenix from the ashes - X! Beyond just a messaging app, X would introduce innovative branding strategies, although intriguingly, it would still be nestled within Twitter’s shell. If one logged into X today, they would notice a curious amalgamation of two worlds. However, the stark reality of this transformation, akin to a pound shop takeover, was evident when they replaced Twitter's iconic bird with the imposing letter X. The only discernible change, for now, is the logo; Larry’s branding remains firmly in place. This underwhelming transition has left users far from impressed.

For the world's richest man, Elon Musk, launching X was an opportunity to showcase his unparalleled penchant for grandeur. However, much to everyone's surprise, the debut was devoid of fanfare, leaving many questioning whether it could even be called a launch. Linda Yaccarino, the new boss of X (formerly Twitter), attempted to inject some excitement into the moment by tweeting (or rather, x'd), "X is here let’s do this!" Though, in practice, this new era appeared more like a hasty emergency response rather than a meticulously planned and orchestrated event. The only visible evidence of change was a projected image on a building's side and a mere logo swap. This minimalistic approach, combined with a lack of forethought in updating Larry’s colours, resulted in an uninspiring and disappointing unveiling.

Elon Musk's vision for X had been anticipated for some time, with promises of a transformative experience for users. Despite the hype, the execution fell short of expectations, leaving many unimpressed, except for Musk himself and Yaccarino, who remained fervently enthusiastic. Musk's ambitions were bold; he aimed to create a globally accessible platform similar to China's WeChat, an all-in-one app that excelled in every aspect. However, the current state of X appears pitiful, caught in a state of confusion, far from achieving Musk's desired vision.

Undoubtedly, further changes are on the horizon, including a revised colour scheme. Yet, the urgency with which X was pushed out raises suspicions that perhaps a competing platform, a Twitter rival, had made waves in the last fortnight, overshadowing X's debut. The urgency behind X's launch has resulted in a half-baked product, replete with loose ends and unfinished features.

As users attempt to access X through their smartphones, they are met with Larry, still tweeting away, bidding a last farewell before being consigned to a sudden and unceremonious grave. There are no golden handshakes for time served, and Larry's dismissal resembles the fate of an old pair of shoes with holes in them. The removal of Larry appears lackluster, leading to lingering traces of his presence on the platform. This continued presence is reminiscent of unsolved mysteries that would intrigue even the intrepid investigators, Mulder and Scully, from the X-Files.

The quest for truth now lies in deciphering the true potential of X. Can it live up to the hype and overcome its lacklustre debut? Musk's ambitious plans to create a global powerhouse with X might still be within reach, but significant efforts and strategic decisions are required to rectify the current state of confusion.

In conclusion, Elon Musk's bold move to retire Twitter and introduce X left much to be desired. The hasty launch and lack of substantial changes disappointed many users, sparking speculation about its true potential. As the world watches with curiosity, it remains to be seen whether X will evolve into the transformative platform Musk envisioned or become another footnote in the annals of digital history.

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About the Creator

Spencer Hawken

I'm a fiftysomething guy with a passion for films, travel and gluten free food. I work in property management, have a history in television presentation and am a multi award wining filmmaker, even though my films are/were all trash.

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  • Scott Christenson9 months ago

    I'm open to believing Elon has a flair for producing business success, but everything about the Twitter takeover has seemed disastrous. Needlessly alienating 1/2 of the political spectrum and 1/2 his customer base. Taking away the merit point system of the blue checks. Now throwing out a $40 bln brand identity, for a new "X" logo, this smells like a 'new coke' level misstep. The one suprising thing to me is... Elon terminating 90% of the staff yet having the app run as before with hardly a glitch. This goes to show how many hangers-on are at Silicon Valley companies for each programmer actually getting work done. A lot of fat to be cut at the others if they ever lose their monopolistic profits someday.

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