Sirus Digital Newsletter – Edition 115

In recent days, we are hearing A LOT about free speech, exposure, message, and audiences. Much of the current discussion centers around Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter and the subsequent changes he is directing at the company/on the platform. Whether it is who should (or shouldn’t) be allowed on the platform or what should (or shouldn’t) be allowed on it or handling of platform features (i.e. “Blue Checkmarks”), we are fundamentally talking more about voices & audiences than anything.

As the leader of the company, Elon Musk has the authority to make whatever changes he sees fit. Some users will undoubtedly benefit; others will likely be negatively impacted.

That said, no one’s “Freedom of Speech” is being limited – unless you count Twitter employees whose employment status could be getting impacted by their public statements about the company.

Realistically, having a platform where someone says something with which I disagree is not damaging to MY rights. I can share my perspectives in the same manner.

Central to many of the complaints is the feeling (by some) that their reach (aka – the audience hearing them) is being impacted. Whether it is “buying” checkmarks (that might offer perceived influence) or allowing certain messages/topics/users, the biggest complaint seems to be that competing ideas might now be heard.

The big thing to remember as a creator is that the audience belongs to the platform! While they may be “your audience” on the platform, make no mistake – audiences “belong” where they congregate & where their identity is held! We may hold their attention momentarily, but we are not the owners of the real estate.

Note: The threatened pivots toward other platforms like Mastadon highlight this.

Just remember

At its most basic level, we have a right to say what we want; we don’t have a right to expect there will be no consequences; we also don’t have the right to expect others will agree (or even care)!

…we will see…