Navigating The Newest Internet Trend
In the ever-evolving digital landscape of the 21st century, staying attuned to internet trends has become more than just a pastime; it's a crucial aspect of modern life, and one that holds particular significance for men. The internet, with its rapidly changing memes, viral challenges, and emerging platforms, serves as a dynamic mirror to our culture, reflecting the latest shifts in technology, entertainment, and social dynamics.
For men, keeping up with these trends isn't merely a matter of staying in the loop; it's about remaining culturally relevant, enhancing personal and professional connections, and harnessing the power of the digital realm for self-improvement and empowerment. Explore the compelling reasons why men should (or shouldn't!) actively engage with Threads, and how doing so can foster personal growth, social connection, and a deeper understanding of the ever-evolving world around us.
1. A Positive Culture (For)
The first thing you notice when you peruse Threads is a lack of significant confrontation. This is in contrast to every other tweet on Twitter that gets somebody's blood boiling and starts a series of back-and-forths with hundreds or thousands of users. Meta manages to avoid this kind of reductive discourse by manufacturing a less confrontational environment with less of a focus on politics.
Instagram boss, Adam Mosseri, makes it clear that the app isn't going to do anything to encourage politics and "hard news." Instead, the app aims the spotlight on sports, music, fashion, art, and entertainment. These are industries that bring people together more often than divide them.
2. Meta's User Data History (Against)
Meta doesn't have the sparkling reputation it wishes it had. In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission imposed a record-breaking $5 billion fine on the social media company for misrepresenting the way it handled user information. Many know this as the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Meta also finds itself in trouble with Ireland's Data Protection Commission for mishandling user information once again. Many people across the globe refuse to use any Meta products, pointing to these instances as their reason. They rightfully don't feel safe with their information in Meta's hands.
3. Part of the Fediverse (For)
A term most non-tech enthusiasts aren't familiar with that's been bouncing around a lot since Threads' release is The Fediverse. The word comes from combining the words Federation and Universe, first of all. No, it's not a virtual world created by Kevin Federline, Britney Spears' ex, who relocated to Hawaii with their children on July 1, 2023.
The Fediverse is a collective of decentralized servers operating via open-source standards that allows users from various social media platforms to communicate with one another. If Threads follows through with its promise, it's not impossible for Threads users to reply to posts from Mastodon users and vice versa.
4. Privacy Nightmare (Against)
The amount of information Threads requests access to is alarming. In fact, Threads has yet to launch in the European Union because Meta worries its practices potentially run afoul of privacy regulations there. Shortly after Threads' release, Twitter users shared screenshots of the app's privacy policy and the permissions it requests.
From access to a user's health data to financial information, Threads asks for a lot. That's a lot for a social media app to request. Data privacy experts point out that Meta's intent of turning Threads into a decentralized app, allowing users to view Threads content across other apps, potentially expands the company's reach across the internet.
5. No Ads (For)
As of right now, there is no advertising on Threads. This is surprising since Meta collects so much data, one thinks its purpose is for targeted ads. However, Meta makes it clear that Threads doesn't plan to implement ads "until its user base reaches a critical mass," according to Eleanor Hawkins and Sara Fischer at Axios.
Just what does Meta view as a critical mass? Founder of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, says, "Our approach will be the same as all our other products: make the product work well first, then see if we can get it on a clear path to 1 billion people, and only then think about monetization at that point."
6. Not Global (Against)
As previously mentioned, Threads isn't available in the European Union because of privacy concerns. That leaves out a large chunk of the world's population with access to social media. You might be able to communicate with friends, family, and celebrities, but only if they're outside of the EU's constraints.
It's difficult to ascertain if and when Threads ever finds its way across the pond. EU's Digital Markets Act prevents companies from abusing their market power, and Meta isn't known for its sparkling reputation. Meta is already subject to continual fines for privacy breaches, and adding more regulations for it to comply with increases the company's difficulty in making its new app truly global.
7. Low Learning Curve (For)
If you use Twitter or Facebook then it's easy for you to jump right into threading. It's as simple as typing out your thoughts and pressing post. It's more similar to Twitter since you're limited to the number of characters in each post, but it does allow for more characters than its competitor. Threads allows 500 characters in a post, whereas Twitter only gives you 280 characters.
Threads also allows you to attach images to your posts not dissimilar from Twitter. It really is a clone of Elon Musk's app. However, even if you never set eyes on the bird app, it's easy to pick up what Meta is putting down. Write something and click Post. It doesn't use hashtags yet that help with organizing topics for users to find, making it even easier for older generations.
8. Requires Instagram (Against)
In order to create a Threads account, you need to already have an Instagram account. Not only does that pose a problem for the people who prefer not to have an Instagram account, but if you ever want to delete your Threads account, your Instagram goes with it. This is a new level of exploitation in the social media world.
It's not enough that Meta dives into your life, now the company requires you to hold two accounts when you only want one of them. Instagram's head honcho, Adam Mosseri, claims you're able to make your Threads account private, preventing others from seeing it, but that's not exactly the same as deleting it.
Connecting the Threads
The importance of educating yourself about internet trends cannot be overstated in our rapidly changing digital age. Beyond the surface allure of viral memes and online challenges, staying informed of trends (both on and off the internet!) bolsters the ability to engage in relevant and meaningful conversations, enhances the understanding of evolving technology, and equips one with valuable tools for personal and professional growth. Moreover, it fosters a sense of connection in an increasingly interconnected world and allows you to make an informed decision about participating or not.
If the app isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of alternatives, including Mastodon, Spill, and Bluesky. Don't feel left out if you choose not to join Threads. If Meta follows through with Threads joining the Fediverse, simply join another app connected to the decentralized network of servers and interact with your Threads-using friends that way.
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