It’s ridiculous to pay Twitter for authenticity, because just anyone can buy the badge — and how does that make any of it authentic? That’s what so many Twits are joking about, though Captain America said it best.
Elon Musk can slap his money around and buy just about anything he wants. He has so much money that he’s able to call a rocket launch that exploded “successful,” whereas Richard Branson is about to fold on Virgin Orbit after a failed rocket launch in January. Since taking over Twitter, Musk has made so many headlines for his mismanagement of the company, from reinstating accounts that had been legitimately banned, to not taking consumer complaints seriously. This is the company that wants $8 for a badge of authenticity?
Is there a vetting process after paying the $8 to ensure that an account is legitimate? If it’s not authentic, does the illegitimate Twit get their money back? Or does the account get banned after identifying itself as something it’s not? So many questions, and more come to mind when a billionaire asks his users to give him yet more money. Most of these questions and comments are in the form of comedy or harsh criticism, and it begins with the aforementioned Captain America. Let’s go.
However, it appears if an account is for a celebrity, they get a free badge, so Captain America shouldn’t have to worry about it. Note how ridiculous it is that Elon Musk will pay for it. Rather than just waive the fee, he’ll give himself the $8?
this is genuinely one of the most embarrassing things I’ve heard 💀 https://t.co/GRKHYhQYqN
— Hurt CoPain (@SaeedDiCaprio) April 21, 2023
When something ridiculous is trending across the internet, Twits can always count on memes to make everyone laugh.
Of course, the cavalry will come from all directions, and that means Donald Trump will be sucked into this with a golden meme.
The fact is, it seems celebrities don’t care about the blue checkmark when they already have millions of followers who already know who they are. Plus with Elon Musk offering to pay himself for the badge, that’s just more swag bucks celebrities are gifted for their fame.
Imagine enjoying a cheeseburger with the $8 a billionaire is asking for to have that wonderful blue checkmark that distinguishes an account from all the others who don’t have one.
Information can be used for good and it can be used for bad. Remember, when handing someone a bat, they can use that bat to beat others, or to clobber the person who gave it to them in the first place.
Obviously, there are already Twits who have paid the $8 as soon as they were asked because that’s what they were told to do, and they never question anything. However, an authentic account doesn’t need a blue badge; Twits are going to see it for what it is based on what it posts.
Published: Apr 21, 2023 11:17 am