In a clash of the tech titans, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, surprised the online world by resurfacing on Twitter after an 11-year hiatus. Simultaneously, his new app, Threads, an Instagram-linked Twitter clone, gained astounding traction, amassing over 30 million users within a mere day.
Capitalizing on this momentum, Zuckerberg took aim at Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter, with a well-known meme featuring two Spider-Men pointing accusatory fingers at each other. Musk swiftly fired back, defending Twitter’s openness and cautioning against the illusory bliss of Instagram.
The ongoing rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk has now escalated to new heights, shedding its carnival-like aura and adopting a more serious tone. Zuckerberg, seizing the opportunity, utilizes Instagram’s extensive user base and substantial resources to exploit Musk’s widely publicized missteps since assuming control of Twitter. Critics contend that Twitter has become a breeding ground for hate speech under Musk’s leadership, as he purposefully relaxed content moderation guidelines. Musk’s recent decision to limit the visibility of tweets, albeit as a temporary measure against data scraping, further fueled the criticism.
The explosive growth of Threads, attracting millions of users within a remarkably short timeframe, acts as a resounding wake-up call for Musk. This surge in popularity signals a burgeoning demand for an alternative to the current state of Twitter. Prominent figures, such as US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have eagerly joined Threads, seeking a platform that fosters a stronger sense of community, less harassment, and a more positive environment.
In an indirect jab at Musk’s management approach, Zuckerberg emphasizes the importance of kindness and cultivating a friendly atmosphere within Threads. However, in the long run, these endeavors’ effectiveness and potential payoff remain uncertain.
Only time will reveal whether Threads can fulfill the expectations of those hoping for a revolutionary “Twitter killer” and reshape the social media landscape.
