Because You Asked: Threads Is, Among Other Things, A Conundrum

/ Ally Bean

• • •

Boom! Yep, that’s my number.

• • •

WHY ARE YOU ON THREADS, THEY ASK

A few people irl and online have asked me about my experiences on Threads so I’ll answer here. In case you’re unfamiliar with it, Threads is Facebook/Meta’s version of Twitter/X.

I was there on Day One clocking in at 20,708,590 out of over 100 million people who joined worldwide on that day, July 6, 2023. Find me on Threads by clicking HERE.

And yes I know many friends and gentle readers think I’m loony, question my sanity, to have even joined in a new social media… but hear me out. I have my reasons.

I’m a curious person, a social scientist at heart, who saw an opportunity to be part of a social media from the beginning. Even though I’ve been on many social media over the decades* I’ve never had this option before so I jumped in.

Also, not to put too fine a point on it, I’m on Threads so you don’t have to be. Yes, I’m living the experience for all of us here in this little corner of blogland. You may thank me in the comments below!

• • •

Social media active users indicating the most popular places to be †

• • •

WHO IS THERE WITH YOU ON THREADS, THEY WONDER

This, of course, is a good question that I’ll field by first saying the following brief summary: a bunch of nice enough people**.

Then I’ll break down some specifics because that is what I believe people want to know. For me, after 7 months of checking in every few days and posting something when I am there as well as leaving wordy comments for others, I have a whopping 281 followers.

✅ One follower I know in real life.

✅ Six followers are current bloggers who like me are attempting to utilize Threads by showing up every so often and joining in. Click on the name to go to their Threads account, on their blog name to visit their blog:

✅ Some of my followers are current bloggers who are there in name only. OR, in a total surprise, a few former bloggers I knew a decade ago showed up, one even saying: “so you’re still here.” I do not know how to take that.

✅ Many, maybe most, of my followers are people who I’ve connected with on Instagram.

✅ I also have followers who are new-to-me and THAT makes me happy, giving me some hope for Threads.

• • •

Information is my love language, but I my not be the norm †

• • •

What Is The Purpose of Threads As You See It, They Inquire

Yes, again a good question that I will succinctly answer with my take and then add a famous quote that summarizes lyrically how I think about Threads.

My Take – Threads serves no discernible purpose beyond being a pleasant pretty distraction.

A Famous Quote – From John Lennon’s song Nobody Told Me: “There’s always something cooking and nothing in the pot.” 

• • •

On Twitter by creating my own personal lists as seen here I was able to keep track of people, something I cannot do on Threads.

• • •

And Finally Why Is Threads A Conundrum, Please Explain

I have three reasons why I believe Threads is a conundrum, a word that can mean a riddle, or a puzzle, or a poser even.

1) The thing about Threads is there is no center to it to draw people to a communal “What’s Happening” section or a Writing Prompt or a Weekly Topical Challenge. It’s all random all the time.

Hence, a riddle.

2) When you show up and look at your “Following” tab the algorithm shows you who it wants you to see and because, unlike Twitter, Threads doesn’t allow you create lists of who you follow, you cannot efficiently follow anyone. Thus the algorithm impedes connections.

Hence, a puzzle.

3) Threads is the only social media wherein I’ve seen so many people, so often, not reply even with a LIKE, to wordy comments left for them. Is Threads not notifying them that someone paid attention to them? That’s the only kind explanation*** I can think of which makes me question if Threads is really meant to be a viable social media at all.

Hence, a poser. 

~ THE END ~

* Since the late 1990s I’ve been involved in Geocities, Myspace, Facebook, Pinterest, Flickr, Twitter, 43 Things, Tumblr, Mastodon, and now Threads. I’ve seen things, kids… oh yes I have. 😣

** The only sort of rude behavior I’ve encountered was a man who tried to start a fight with me because I said something to the effect of, and try not to be offended, that adults should behave like grown-ups when interacting with other adults rather than behaving like they were in a child/adult relationship. He took umbrage with that idea… perhaps forever wanting to be a child? 🤷‍♀️

*** A less kind explanation would be that I’m not wanted so I’ve been intentionally ignored in the hope that I’ll go away. Which could happen. 🤔

† Source: “As Facebook turns 20, politics is out; impersonal video feeds are in” via The Economist [probably not behind a paywall, but I can’t tell for sure]

224 thoughts on “Because You Asked: Threads Is, Among Other Things, A Conundrum”

  3. Hi Ally, I am on Threads. Yet, I have not used it and I don’t know what it is. Initially I thought it was a rebellion against Twitter? I have about 60 follow requests, I think…last time I clicked on the red dot. I have not given it any further thought until now. I may be the “in name only” category. My primary social media these days is Instagram. Usually I can control who I follow and who follows me. Inspirational, stunning photos. Fast. Easy. Peasy. Thanks again, Ally. Always interesting to learn something new. 💕 Erica

    Liked by 2 people

    • Erica/Erika, I think you’re right that Threads was meant to be a place like Twitter but less hostile. It’s friendly enough, but like you so many of the people who I could talk with there are on Threads in name only and I get that, no judgement. Yes very much, I like Instagram more than Threads, not as much as blogging of course. I feel comfortable sharing whatever on IG and always get a response, but on Threads there are a lot of crickets. It’s weirdly lonely there. 🙄

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I usually can find at least one ‘hook’ to respond to in your posts, but I’m rather at a loss here, since my only involvement with social media sites is Twitter. Even there, I don’t post and I follow only a dozen sites: ones with sexy names like Texas A&M Forest Service and National Hurricane Center. At least I’m not alone!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, I used Twitter for news too, and there’s little of it on Threads. Trust me. I tried to write a balanced review of my experiences and observations on Threads hoping that those who are interested in new ways of connecting online would enjoy knowing. However maybe I should have spun this more unhinged, framed my experiences as awful, and thereby stirred up controversy! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Aside from blogging, I have zero “social media” presence. No Facebook. No Twitter. No TikTok. No Threads. And I am 100% thrilled. I know it works well for some people, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it would be a net negative for me and I am so, so glad I steered clear. I miss things – for example, everyone I know seems to rave about Facebook Marketplace – but the world keeps on spinning and I’m glad to not be entangled in the social media web that I think WOULD ensnare me.

    I’m worried about my kids growing up in an era of social media use; it makes my heart ache because I think they lose the most in this equation. For now they have no phones, no accounts and a big part of my hopes there is no such thing as social media when they get their own devices.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Elisabeth, I understand your approach to social media. I’m not on Facebook but thought I’d give Threads a chance to dazzle me. It has not but has allowed me to observe how some people use social media. Not sure that I belong with them, truth be told.

      Blogging is the real deal, there is a community of sincere friends and discussions, but in my experiences with social media over the years, there’s no there, there. Just a lot of noise, that your children are better off not hearing.

      Like

    • I once saw this video where a comedian showed what online behavior would look like if done irl. He would walk up to a stranger and ask “will you be my friend?” When the stranger gave him a bewildered look, he followed up with “how about if I share lots of photos with you, will you be my friend?” It may sound silly (though not as much as other things he dud, like him following strangers around and explaining that he’s “following” them when they asked him what he was doing…), but when you stop and think about it, some, no, not all, of the behavior we’re taught to follow online is silly. It’s one thing to do it when you already have a firm concept of what a “friend” is, but when this behavior forms your opinion of friendship?

      Liked by 1 person

      • EW, everything about online behavior takes some getting used to. I dislike the term ‘followers’ but use it because it the common parlance. I prefer to envision the people I know online as friends or connections, but I fear in Threads I am alone in this idea. I don’t dislike it there exactly but I’ve never been involved in a social media that is so non-social. Is it the way of the future? Maybe… 

        Liked by 1 person

        • A non-social future? I’d hope not, humans have been social creatures since, well before we got to be humans 🙃 Threads sounds more like a bulletin board?

          I do remember a couple of years back you had a couple of multiple choice questions about it, and about what to call this space (that’s where I got set on blogosphere)!

          Liked by 1 person

          • Instagram is a bulletin board. Threads is a bunch of people waiting at the bus stop, often the same people at about the same time, pleasant enough but little to connect them… other than waiting for the same bus.

            Like

    • Deborah, you’re welcome. I joined Threads because my background is in communications so I really liked the idea of trying a social media from the beginning. To see what happens, you know? BUT now having done what I set out to do… I’m not sure how much longer I’ll hang in there.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Appreciate you, Ally, for venturing forth and reporting back. Like you, I’m often curious and dubious at the same time. I want to take a peek at things that are new but don’t want to get roped in because managing my existing ‘social media stack’ is an on-going conundrum. Oh – and your point #3 about limited-to-non-existent feedback/interaction on Threads? That would drive me wild. It’s what I enjoy about blogging here on WP. 😘

    Liked by 2 people

    • Vicki, I’m happy to be the guinea pig in this situation, learning about Threads from the git-go because I’ve not had a lot going on in my life this last half a year so I could pay attention. HOWEVER, now that I’ve done what I set out to do, and having found out that Thread Heads consider replying to comments as optional, I am less, shall we say, enthused about being there. 🫤

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Yesterday an author I was introduced to admitted to using Threads for promotion. Not sure what that means exactly, given its limitations.

    I dislike Twitter, so I’m not tempted to embrace Threads. Thanks for the thorough analysis here, Ms. Social Scientist!  :-D

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I was immediately distracted by 43 Things. I’d never even heard of it and then I went down a rabbit hole about it (mostly reading the Wikipedia page) and now I know. I’m not sure how this one skipped by me. I also learned that Wikipedia has a “defunct social media” tag and I don’t know why, but that made me sad. The more you know. You were very educational today, Ally!

    Liked by 2 people

    • NGS, in truth 43 Things was my favorite social media of all time. The premise of declaring your goals [serious or silly], then chatting with other people who had the same goals was empowering in a way no other social media has duplicated. I enjoyed it so much.

      I can write in a more educational style, than my usual chit-chat. I got smarts! Funny you’d say this, my husband being complimentary said the same thing. No one expects me to write an article anymore.

      Like

    • A captivating TED talk came out some (many…) years ago by Simon Sinek, called something like Start With Why, and 43 Things reminded me of it. I would have thought kinship and bonds could have been naturally formed, so 43 Things sounds like a great idea, I wonder why it went “defunct”?

      Liked by 1 person

      • EW, I don’t know why it went under. I left after I’d accomplished enough things on my list to feel empowered to tackle life without it. Maybe other people felt the same way? Or times changed and it was too innocent for the times?

        Liked by 1 person

          • Were you on Twitter when that was the character limit? I took it as a writing challenge so I got into limiting myself, albeit much was lost as I parsed y tweets. Hadn’t thought about that in years.

            Like

  12. Ally, you’re a social media expert and some of the sites you’ve been on I’ve never even heard of. Geocities?! Thank you for explaining Threads so clearly, its pros and cons. I never even joined FB so doubt I will be seen soon on Threads. I’m still on Twitter (whoops, X), although it has changed beyond recognition and I have trouble finding the people I actually follow! Grrr … I’m happy chatting away over here, liking comments and chilling out! 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    • Annika, I earned a M.A. in Communications so I’ve been curious about social media from way back. I don’t stay long on most of them, just want to see what they’re about. Geocities involved picking a neighborhood with like-minded people, setting up your website at an address, then visiting your neighbors to chat. There was very little actual interaction among people, but it was a novelty. I was in Heartland.

      I’m with you about preferring blogging for the reasons you mention, we chat, we like, we are chill. Works for me.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Wow! Ally, that sounds like a fascinating MA and no wonder you are an expert in this field. Oh, the Goecities actually seems like a great idea and a pity it didn’t take off. I can see safety issues though… Happy Blogging & Threading etc!

        Liked by 1 person

        • I don’t know if I’m an expert as much as an enthusiast. Or I am until a social media bores me, then I delete with abandon. Geocities was almost a prototype of what was to come in the way of social media. It was a little hokey but friendly in its own way.

          Liked by 1 person

  13. Fascinating assessment. Thank you for taking on this social experiment for the benefit of your readers!

    I joined threads at some point, and even tried to interact with people, but the randomness of it all really dilutes whatever slim utility social media has. Sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, while I’d love to say that Threads has turned out to be the best thing since sliced bread, it seems stale to me. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing compelling about it either. Like you said, the randomness dilutes any sense of friendship or purpose.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. I jumped onto Threads – if not as early as you – as I hoped it would turn out to be Twitter without the anger. I rather disappointed to find out that it isn’t and that some of the best bits of Twitter are missing. It’s a shame. I’ve ended up in the position where I use neither…

    I’ve never heard of 43Things, but it sounds like I’d like it. I used to love the discussion forum which was attached to a dating/networking site I used before I met Himself. But the trolls took that one over too. Mumsnet used to be entertaining, but is soooo huge that I can lose hours there – so I restrict my use very strictly!

    From what little I see of Threads, you & Autumn do participate, unlike the people who persuaded me to try it, who seem to have disappeared without trace. I think they all prefer TikTok which I’ve never tried. I know I already have too many methods for wiling away hours I don’t have spare.

    Thank you for your social science work – it is appreciated.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, I want to like Threads but I find it dull. Like you said it could be Twitter without the anger, but instead it feels more like an afterthought from Zuckerberg, et al. No real there, there.

      You’re right people come and go quickly on Threads, disappearing before I can even remember their names, just that someone said something interesting once. The bloggers who I already know are easy to connect with, but they’re few and far between.

      43 Things was my all-time favorite social media. It was loosely built on the David Allen GTD methodology wherein he said that your life could be organized by creating files: 31 days + 12 months = 43. You listed your current 43 goals, serious or silly, then talked with other people who had the same goals. The vibe was fun and supportive which is why I liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Thanks for the shoutout! I am glad you are on Threads also–not enough bloggers there. I’m on Threads because I loved what Twitter used to be, before Musk wrecked it: social media where you could follow interesting people, experts of all kinds, and get news immediately, from all over the world. It was also a window into the publishing world, filled with agents and editors. Political wonks and Black women posted thought-provoking and enlightening content. I probably spent way too much time there, but I loved it and I’m still furious it is gone. Threads is the closest thing I’ve found to Twitter, and more folks I followed on Twitter show up every day. I don’t mind the fact that the more popular posters don’t respond to comments, because Twitter was the same way. But it’s always nice to be liked!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Autumn, your reasons for being on Twitter are the ones I had to. HAD being the operative word in that sentence. I’d hoped to find that kind of information on Threads but it’s a knotty mess of randomness. [Pun intended]

      I don’t care if popular Thread Heads ignore my comments, but people like you and me, just ordinary people there, have no difficulty justifying not replying to anyone they don’t want to. I asked this in a poll and the subsequent comments were enlightening. Indifference seemed to be the default.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Lynette, I never got into FB at all. I was there a decade ago and I only lasted there half a year, which makes me wonder how Threads compares to FB now. I liked Twitter when it was good, lots of news and the opportunity to read what authors had to say, but now it isn’t Twitter any more and Threads doesn’t seem like a replacement for it. Still, I have tried.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. I’m on there, too…but the only people whose posts I like or comment on are yours and Autumn’s. Even then, it’s hit-and-miss. I also wanted to be there from the very start, even though I have yet to figure out how to really utilize it.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mark, the value of Threads has yet to reveal itself to me. I show up with something to say usually about something I read, offer a thread, then wait to see. It’s hit-or-miss about if anyone sees what I wrote and even then people seem reluctant to use their words to write a comment. I’ve never been involved in any social media that was this non-social. Fascinating, but boring too.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. It was fun following you on Threads, Ally! I enjoyed your posts and how you encouraged people to interact. I was on there at the beginning too, and it was fun and interesting at first. And then all the usual social media creeps showed up to make it feel icky. And then I was banished from Threads for some reason – I still don’t know why! I just checked, and I’m still not allowed! That’s fine with me, probably a blessing in disguise!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Michelle, I knew you’d been banished from Threads for reasons unknown and that was why you were gone. You’re right in the beginning it was fun and light, like it might be worthwhile, but then whiny disruptive people appeared and the atmosphere changed for the worse. Still don’t know why that man took offense at my idea of being an adult when you are one, yet… case in point.

      Like

  20. I shall never get the hang of/the point of social media. I joined Twitter as soon as it became available and was hard pressed to say anything in 140 characters. I don’t recall signing up for threads, it seems like if you were already on IG you were automatically on threads – I’m probably wrong about that. I’ve been on and off all these ‘things’ for years but never under my own name. The only reason I’m currently on FB is because of one friend – it’s the only way to keep up with her and her family – I met her through blogging 15+ years ago and she calls me her ‘other mother’ LOL I am nostalgic for the internet of the 1990’s – before computers and the internet were accessible to any and all (insert your favorite derogatory descriptor here).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Grace, you may be right about how if you were on IG you could sign up for Threads from there. I didn’t know that so joined formally on that first day, thus the badge. I, too, was on Twitter when there was 140 character limit and if nothing else it kept the vitriol in check. I’m not on FB, never could get into its vibe but I like your reason for being there. You’re right about how the internet of the early 90s was entirely different, in my case more academic and focused on business. Zero frivolity back then.

      Liked by 1 person

      • FB way back when was for communicating with friends it was not the commercial venture it is now. I am always amused by people who complain about the content. You “see” what you want to see – it is very customizable. You click, your problem. I don’t click, I have no problems. If you must click, try that little X in the corner.

        Liked by 1 person

        • I was on FB before ads took over but I’ve no doubt you’re right. It’s the same way on IG, don’t click on an ad, don’t get more like it. Yet people complain about the ads. Go figure, huh?

          Liked by 1 person

          • It’s not just the ads -those are so easy to not see. People are always up in arms about mis-information, political stuff etc. I never see that stuff – I wonder why? Could it be because my friends don’t lean that way? Because I don’t go looking for it? Because I get my news from reputable sources? It’s user error.

            Liked by 1 person

  21. I have not even heard of Threads. I swear I have a pulse, but I’m usually the last to know about these things. I don’t know if I understand its purpose. I like that it doesn’t sound hostile, but I’m not a big fan of social media. Technically blogs are social media, I guess. It sure doesn’t feel that way to me. Thanks for the tutorial.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ernie, I don’t consider blogs to be social media, we publish posts on blogs, we are writers and photographers who have a website. While social media is open to anyone who wants to join and talk about whatever. FB is social media, Twitter is social media, Threads is social media, but “… no small feet” is something different, better in fact.

      [Are you still in lockdown with it?]

      Like

      • Ha, good question. I am still in lockdown. I’ve grown quite weary of not having a blog that is easy to access. I’m trying to follow the lawyer’s instructions to a tee. Things are supposed to wrap up soon, but the settlement discussion might be delayed because the opposing side hired new counsel. I’m not thrilled about a delay, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Once I get out of ‘lockdown’ I need to go back and delete or edit some of the posts, so I can remain anonymous and no one can link to me the you know what that made me want to kick some you know what. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        • Well at least there is some progress, albeit not as much as you’d like. Good idea to follow your lawyer’s advice and to plan on deleting some posts as need be. What a mess, I feel for ‘ya.

          Like

  22. Go forth and tell us about it because I’m not looking for more social media sites so whatever I read here is interesting. I belong to a couple of groups on FB for things I’m interested in, but I never comment because I can’t believe how people start going off about nothing. Who needs added drama in their life these days? 🙂 So, enjoy Threads and report back periodically. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Judy, I’m not on FB but I do hear about how touchy people can be there. I consider FB to be the epicenter of drama so I understand your quiet approach to it. As for enjoying Threads, well– I’m trying but don’t know how much longer I’ll be there. It’s an oddly lonely place for me.

      Like

  23. We are an interesting mix when it comes to social media. My own online profile is thin: blogger (reading and writing) and occasional FB reader (not contributor). That’s it. I think my age (62) or something about my lifestyle stands in the way of any real time or interest with social media. Not dismissing its merits at all, or the benefits others get from it. Just not for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dave, I take your point. For me the appeal of social media isn’t what people are saying, but how they’re saying it. It’s the social scientist side of me who wants to be there for a while, but as for the drama and nosiness, I could care less. Not sure how much longer I’ll last on Threads.

      Like

  24. Thank you so much for being on Threads so I don’t have to!!! LOL! I cannot add another social media account to my life. My husband got me hooked on Tiktoc about a month ago and now I think I have an addiction to Aldi and Dollar Tree Hauls.

    There is one particular blog that I follow that tends to get extremely rude comments. I will add that I think all the rudeness is coming from the UK, where this blogger lives. It’s the strangest thing. They will even attempt to start arguments with other commenters.

    I have had a few run-ins myself; one on FB where I asked an innocent question about a gun that was found in the high school parking lot. It was a gun owner who was taking offense to just about every comment. I also had problems years ago on an internet message board. Once, when I said I didn’t like to be called ma’am. Someone from Texas did not take too kindly to this Yankee.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bijoux, ha! TikTok will do that to a person. I have an account there, but contribute nothing. It is funny I’ll give it that, but overwhelms me.

      The man on Threads who tried to start an argument with me was doing so on a comment I left on someone else’s post. Just like what you’re talking about with the rude commenting blog guy. Is that a thing now? Be disruptive wherever you go just for kicks?

      I’m not on FB but I hear the stories like yours. Say something innocently, be taken to task over nothing important. Threads isn’t like that [yet?]. I remember internet message boards, but was too shy back then to say much of anything, ma’am. 😆

      Like

  25. Of course, as you know, I am there because of you. I admit to not being a big participant. I never got into Twitter, other than to share my or other blogs and once there, comment on something I might see. Conversations with peeps made me dizzy, especially if we were three participants. Oi!

    Pretty much like Threads. I’ll go to Instagram, see some threads, go along for a bit, leave a like or a comment (you are right… rarely acknowledged except by you, coz you’re cool and know that reciprocity or participation is what this game is about! Good manners just seem to be lacking.

    I did find there was a huge amount of repetition and there is a lot of stuff that just doesn’t speak to me.

    Thanks for clearing up stuff. Man, there are platforms I’ve never heard about!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dale, yes I know you’re on Threads because of me and I feel like I should apologize for that. I thought it’d be a lot lighter/fun and educational/informative than it is. On the other hand it’s nice to see you there, so thanks for following me.

      I did a poll on Threads about good manners regarding replying to comments. Most people who took the poll and then left a comment felt there was no need to reply to all comments. The indifference was palpable.

      You’re right about the repetitive nature of Threads. Hadn’t thought about that but realize it contributes to my *meh* feelings about it.

      Now the only question is: do I share this post on Threads? Will anyone see it, click over to read it, comment about it? My $$$ is on NO! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      • Of course it’s nice to see you and I appreciate what you share (that I see 😉 )

        Indifference is the perfect word!

        People seemed to share and reshare the same thing ad nauseam.

        Hahahahaha! As you know, I can’t even share my blog on Threads because it’s connected to Facebook and Some A-hole marked me as “inappropriate”!

        Liked by 1 person

        • You’re the second pleasant blogger I know who has been banned for some unknown reason on Threads. Seems like instead of hassling the good people it’d be a better use of Threads brilliant engineers to figure out how to give us lists. That is my Threads hill to die on.

          Liked by 1 person

  27. Hi Ally, I gave it about a half second thought and decided it isn’t for me. Thanks for taking a deeper dive. You still won’t find me there. I love Instagram, but since they changed the platform to include reels and stories, the engagement on my post has been significantly reduced. You really have to put in a lot of time to gain followers and I’m not that ambitious. I mostly follow photographers, bloggers and a few travel sights. Lately, I am loving YouTube for travel research. Many of those folks seem to value connections and, best of all, they answer questions and acknowledge comments. I am all for keeping it civilized.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be actively using Threads. It doesn’t hold my attention like blogging does. I agree with you about IG. I don’t care for reels or stories, just stick to sharing your still photos please. I’ve never spent any time on YouTube but according The Economist graph above it is second to Facebook which I also don’t use. I agree with you about acknowledging comments wherever you land, but we may be in the minority… if Threads is any indication of the future of social media.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Venus, Threads does sound like it could be a clothing store, but it’s yet another social media out there. Not the most interesting one, but it is there, could improve.

      Like

  29. I have a FB account and Instagram, but I’m not willing to go to Threads. One is for lack of time. I rarely use the other two. Another reason is I’m not a Zuckerberg fan. His Instagram is a main cause of depression in our youth and he doesn’t seem to do anything about it. Also, from the human trafficking residential facility I volunteer for, I’ve learned many of the young boys and girls meet their human traffickers online on Instagram. I don’t think the youth use FB anymore, but they could use Threads and TikTok to be groomed online, too. Ugh. Now to be perfectly honest, we own Zuckerbucks stock and have made a lot of money off of it. That’s my conundrum.

    Liked by 1 person

    • E.A. Wickham, I’m not on FB but am on IG. I understand the same thing as you do, that IG can be a place where human trafficking starts. Considering how benign my experiences on IG are it is baffling but does give me pause. I’m not a fan of Zuckerberg either, but he’s better than Elon Musk– or so it appears. I don’t know how anyone of Threads could ever find anyone to attempt to traffic, that’s how random the system is, but then I don’t think like that to begin with.

      Did you watch Zuck get grilled by Congress last week? I enjoyed seeing him squirm but also admit by continuing to use any of his products I’m contributing to his success. Life is complicated like that.

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      • Yes, I saw a little bit of Zuck being asked to apologize to parents of kids who had been harmed or committed suicide. At least he apologized! I have my blog set up to automatically post to FB. That’s about all I use it for. That’s where my dad reads my posts. Life is complicated! I told my husband that I didn’t want to own Meta and he’s an investment advisor and explained that it’s a good investment. I’d do all my investing on “feelings” while he uses charts and numbers.

        Liked by 1 person

  30. I joined Threads too, but don’t go often to post of to read because, as you said, there’s no real center or place to limit what you see at a particular time. It seems a bit useless to me as a reader and as a blogger. I’ll keep checking though to see if it improves. I also agree with the comment above about how Instagram’s changes have really decreased my engagement, so may drop it too. Maggie

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    • Maggie, I agree about Threads being useless to the point of wondering why I’m there. I know it could improve but don’t know if I have the patience to wait it out. It’s been a long 7 months wondering what was going on.

      Ditto about Instagram. I used to enjoy just looking at all the photos, leaving a comment, but now with its emphasis on trying to be like TikTok I find it less charming.

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  31. Ah, a great breakdown and explanation. You truly have provided a public service here, Ally, because I’m reasonably certain I’ll probably never create a Threads account. I like the John Lennon lyric as your anecdotal — it helps! – Marty

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    • Marty, I don’t know that there’s anything to be gained by being on Threads as it is now. I’ve tried. If there were a few tweaks to the system and if a few more chatty folks joined, then it might be fun. But I dunno I might be dreaming about its potential.

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  32. I joined Threads a while ago but I have yet to post anything… and it will probably stay that way. I’m getting less and less enamored with just about any social media platforms. I don’t feel compelled to share my life with people not of my choosing and, frankly, I don’t need to know details about what others are doing. Instagram has morphed from a photo sharing app to another “Hey, look at me!” site. At one time, social media held the promise of bringing us together. I don’t see that happening much anymore.

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    • Janis, you said and I feel the same: “I’m getting less and less enamored with just about any social media platforms.” I don’t have anything to do with Facebook, deleted it years ago, so I don’t know if Threads is similar to it. I agree about IG, it was so cool in the beginning but now seems, for lack of a better word, insincere. Good point about how social media was going to connect us yet seems to divide us now. Pity that, really.

      Like

  33. Better you than me…i gave up on all things zuckerberg…but you took me down memory lane with Geocities, Myspace, Friendster, LiveJournal, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, Letterboxd…the only social media i am active at is YouTube and Blogging.

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    • Matt, I have mixed feelings about Zuck, given so much power to make the world better he’s fumbled over and over again. I don’t know much about YouTube but you’re the second commenter to mention it as a kind of social media.

      I’d forgotten about Friendster, I wasn’t on it but friends were. I remember LiveJournal and Letterboxd but no one I knew used those sites so I didn’t.

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  34. I’m glad you took the proverbial social media bullet for us because I have neither the desire nor energy to try a new site. I joined Twitter at the beginning but found it entirely too disjointed and static and quit after 6 months. This sounds even worse. While I’m on FB to keep up with real life friends, blogging is my preferred platform and always will be.

    Liked by 1 person

    • River, while I don’t want to sound down on Threads because it could evolve into something, I’ve found it random and with a clunky interface that may, or may not, be hindering connections. I’m not on Facebook so I don’t know if this is how it works, too. I prefer blogging because it’s more personal and fun. Threads seems like it’s in limbo.

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  35. I forget the year, but Twitter and Facebook were still the shiny new things. Around that time, I lost my childhood best friend. I wrote his Mother and in doing so began to wonder if any of the old gang were still around. I asked the young people I worked with what would be the best way to locate people from my past and was met with Twitter and Facebook. I created accounts with both and sadly was unable to locate anyone. I found Facebook to be a mindless time sucker and soon closed the account, and Twitter I just completely ignored. Nowadays, I’ll open Twitter a few times a year. Other than looking at a site designed by space aliens, there is nothing there for me. As for Threads, a stupid name if you ask me, it’s just another time sucker from the time sucker champion. As for X, another stupid name, but then I believe that is Elon’s way of combining branding and marketing under one very large umbrella. X, as in Space X and X.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Johnny, I was on Facebook for about 6 months soon after it started. I didn’t enjoy it then, would dislike it even more now. My experience was too many nosy people from my past that I had no interest in befriending. I liked Twitter back in the day when people were kind and smart and funny, but it deteriorated into an abyss of hate. Whether that was Elon’s doing or just inevitable I don’t know.

      I’m not sure why Zuck went with Threads as the name for a new social media. It’s more confusing than anything else. It could be a time suck if you’re someone who is inclined to keep it open all the time, you’re right about that. I find that I have to remind myself to go there, so I may not be Threads ideal demographic. Oh well. 😉

      Like

    • The Snow Melts Somewhere, yes I realize this post might not be one that is going to suck people into joining Threads. It’s not that I hate it, it’s just that there is nothing much there to talk about.

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  37. I think I’m one of the “current bloggers who are there in name only.” I set up the account because someone (maybe it was you, I dunno) said “hey! Go set up a Threads account, it’ll be fun!” About the only people who try to talk to me are women using Instagram/Threads to promote their OnlyFans.

    I don’t have a love/hate relationship with social media: I have a “hate a lot/hate a little” relationship with it. Facebook is a way to tell my family I have a new blog post, not that I think they actually pay attention. X is a good way to keep up with baseball and trades and stuff. Instagram is what I look at when I’m awake in the middle of the night. I don’t know if I still have Tumblr. Pinterest threw me out a while ago for some infraction that I have so far no idea why, and I don’t really care. Screw ’em if rthey can’t take a joke…

    Liked by 1 person

    • John, I don’t have a list of bloggers who are there in name only because, as I mentioned, I can’t make lists of Threads so I cannot keep track of anyone. I take your point about social media not being the love of your online life. I don’t really understand how anyone could hang on any social media all day and night long, but I’m lead to believe some people do.

      So you got thrown out of Pinterest. Good job, my dude. I closed my account there after our last round of interior remodeling. I no longer need a place for my design inspirations.

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  38. I’m on Threads and Post (?) but I don’t use them. I was the same with Twitter; I was on it but didn’t ever tweet (?) and only sometimes liked others’ contributions. I’m much more of a blogger and way too wordy to use those types of sites. I do however find much breaking news there which can be helpful.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I’m on Post in name only, too, and apparently [I just realized] I’m on Bluesky where I haven’t done much of anything. Twitter is circling the drain so I had hoped Threads would take its place as a source of information + connection but that hasn’t happened. I don’t blame the people there as much as the clunky system. Like you, I’m more of a blogger than a social media groupie.

      Like

    • Jan, I like Instagram and I don’t hate Threads but it isn’t like any other social media I’ve experienced. I want to love it, but until people start socializing there by using their words to me it seems lonely. Yes about Twitter, it isn’t what I once was.

      Like

  40. I enjoy learning new things, so thanks for sharing this post! I, like Engie, had never heard of 43 Things before this post! How did that slip past us? I also appreciate that you shared some new to me blogs, so I’ll be clicking on those links as well. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    • Awakening Wonders, I had more free time last fall, so I decided to focus on Threads more than I normally would pay attention to any social media. Interesting to observe how it is changing, sorry it isn’t changing fast enough to keep me interested.

      Like

  42. I appreciate you being there to tell me your stories! I quit twitter a few years ago, and have never missed it, so I decided against getting any more social media sites. I feel like IG and FB are enough for me, even if they are mostly sponsored reels that show me makeup for aging women. I mean, that’s my fault, I did watch one video, now my whole feed is makeup videos. I’M NOT THAT VAIN (yes I am, but honestly, it would be nice to see something else. Like my friends).

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    • Nicole, I’m still on Twitter because I have a few friends there who like to chat. We live in our tiny little world and ignore all the rest of what happens on X. I’m not on FB but I know what you mean about sponsored ads. On IG because I clicked on one reel about gentle stretches for sore joints, I now get every possible reel that involves older people stretching every which way whilst using something as a prop to stabilize them. Enough already, I get it. 🙄

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  43. I was not tempted by Twitter, nor Instagram, nor TikTok, so Threads is DOA in my world. I’m only on FB under duress (published authors are expected to have a “platform” beyond a website or blog – FB is my only concession, because I’ve had an account a long time).
    Thanks for telling me all I (didn’t) want to know (please don’t take offense). Have a wonderful week!😊

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    • Eilene, I’m not on FB, deleted it probably a decade ago but I realize that it has a hold on people. I can see why you are there. I’ve always enjoyed dabbling in social media, like I said I’m a social scientist at heart and how people communicate online fascinates me more than what they say. Of course once I feel like I’ve learned all I can I’ve no problem deleting my accounts, so we’ll see how much longer I last on Threads. 🤔

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  44. I’ve still not meandered over to Threads Ally – now maybe I won’t. At first, as you know, it was since the platform was only for phones, but now since one can use a computer, I have no excuse. I don’t know if I can take on another social media platform – I’m online too many hours as it is between work/social media sites/blogging. Like you, I’ve watched Twitter become a cesspool. I do follow some sites on there, so am reluctant to go chasing them on another social media platform. I have gone to YouTube a lot the last few weeks. I was following the Jennifer Crumbley trial. The trial was streaming on every local news station on YouTube, so I listened if I could during the workday; if not, each day’s testimony and/or highlights were available afterward. I enjoyed doing that as I have followed the case closely, but it put me behind here. Her husband will be tried in March, so I will probably do the same again. Facebook does make me roll my eyes, but I have a few friends who only use FB to communicate, so I stay there. I follow a lot of park and nature sites and nature photography sites. I have my profile on FB so no one can post on my “wall” and I don’t post anything – I am more of a lurker. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, Threads is new so I am giving it a bit more time to evolve, but it hasn’t been what it could be. I’m a little disappointed with it. I want to like it, but have zero sense of community there like I did, still do to a small degree, on Twitter.

      I’ve never paid any attention to YouTube and I left FB a long time ago. I decided that if someone couldn’t be bothered to keep in touch with me outside of FB, they weren’t a real friend. Choosing which social media works for you can be a challenge, so many variables to consider. Many days I think I might abandon them all and just be a blogger. We’ll see.

      Liked by 1 person

      • It’s different for kids in school connecting thru social media. I lost touch with my high school friends very soon after we left high school. If we had cellphones and e-mail I think it would have been different. When I joined FB, algorithms suggested friends I had gone to high school with, so I hooked up with a few people that way.

        I use YouTube for the weather and news because I have an ad blocker, so I get the pop-up that tells me to disable it before I can watch a news video on any other news station. Because I followed a few sites on Twitter that I found interesting, similar sites started migrating to my feed and I didn’t like that. It didn’t have anything to do with the “For you” versus “Following” categories, so I unfollowed those sites and followed them on FB instead.

        It’s difficult to keep up with all of it sometimes and on WP too and I don’t follow/interact with as many bloggers as you do.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Linda, good point about kids connecting through social media now versus how it was for us. They have the opportunity to easily stay in touch with each other if they want. We scattered, most of us never to re-connect again.

          Z-D is more into YouTube than I am. He follows some sites there, but I don’t know which ones. I have enough on my plate keeping up with blogging and IG, both of which I like, and then Twitter and Threads which are a different experience.

          I do my best to check in at least once a week with everyone I follow in blogland. In March 2020 as a result of the lockdown, I suddenly got more involved in blogging and the result was meeting many fun, fun bloggy friends who I keep in touch with to this day.

          Liked by 1 person

          • YouTube is a good source for “how-to” sites. I have looked for camera info/tutorials and computer how-to info there and occasionally for a song if it is on my mind. Amazon Prime’s music no longer allows you to do that. For a new product (like a camera, weather radio), I watch the unboxing video rather than reading the instructions as I can pause the video while I do it myself.

            As to blogging, next week is 11 years for me. It is taking up more time than other social media TBH. Do you compose your blog in Word or right in WP? I’m behind in archiving all my photos and blog posts (which I do in Word and transfer over to WP), something which I used to dutifully accomplish each quarter, but it’s been since June 30th when I last did this.

            Liked by 1 person

            • I’ll remember to think of YouTube for how-to videos when the need arises. Thanks for the idea.

              I compose in WP. I use the old editor that is easy and friendly, I avoid the block editor that is difficult and temperamental. You are behind in your archiving! There’s so much more to maintaining a personal blog than just writing something. 🤔

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              • Yes, YouTube is a handy resource.

                Okay, well I do back up my blog every time I do a post, exporting all content except media, usually on the weekend when I do the two posts for the upcoming week, but I am sorely behind.

                When I went to the block editor I like a justified right margin, (which only shows up in the actual post, but not in Reader for some reason). I used to be able to pull the entire post over from Microsoft Word in the classic editor, but then in the block editor, I was told by WP I should put my text into Notepad first. So it is a two-step process for me. Yes, indeed, plus the time to sort thru pictures as well. I used stock photos the first few years … a lot easier.

                Liked by 1 person

    • Crystal, Threads hasn’t been promoted much which is odd for anything that comes from Meta. It’s one of the reasons I wonder about its future, like it’s just a filler until Zuck comes up with his next scheme.

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  46. I wondered about Threads since it was supposed to be an alternative to Twitter. I started using Twitter a little over a year ago as a way to follow the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I mostly just like and retweet. I have quite a few followers, mostly soldiers who like my retweets. I follow journalists in Ukraine, history professors, military analysts, etc. Although Twitter is supposed to be mean, most of the anger among that group is targeted at Russia. And, of course, there’s lots of cussing.

    I do Facebook, which is enough for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicki, you use Twitter in a way that makes sense to me. I used it to follow authors and historians and zoos/animals and breaking news. I learned from it which is why I liked it, then found a small tribe of people there who liked to laugh about life and blogs. Sadly Threads is nothing like Twitter, much less information exchange and the people are pleasant but seem disinclined to engage in conversations. I don’t know if it is me OR the vibe of the place. I’m not on FB so I also don’t know if Threads is like FB in that respect.

      Like

  48. Thanks for the introduction to something I didn’t even know existed. It sounds very confusing and not really my cup of tea. I only stayed on Twitter for about a year back in 2014 or so. I appreciate your comprehensive Threads analysis!

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    • Barbara, thank you. I wrote this hoping to answer questions I’d been asked about Threads as well as to introduce people to something new. I figure that while Threads may not be for me in the long run, like you with Twitter, I’m glad I took the leap and joined in… for a while at least.

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  49. Thank you for throwing yourself on this social media grenade so the rest of us can live. I get constant notifications that “these people want to follow you on Threads.” Nooooooo! The thought of an additional social media platform makes me want to cry.

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    • Linda, I’m glad I did what I set out to do by joining on Day One, but even though the people are pleasant there I don’t feel comfortable sharing much. It’s weird, on the blog I’ll talk about things but there I feel like I have to be on my best behavior. Weird, I know.

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    • Suz, I am indifferent to it and that’s what I find weird about the experience. I can see how Threads could be fun, but am either connected to the wrong people for me or it is dullsville everywhere. I can’t figure it out, truth be told.

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  51. Threads confuses me. One day I had 100 some followers, the next I had 8. Last week I got a notice that someone returned my follow even though I never heard of that person.. duh.
    And thank you also for the mention. Appreciated!

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  52. Interesting and thorough! Funny/odd about the dude who took umbrage. I mean, really. Definitely a child-wannabe. You are the only person I’ve heard speak/write about this social media platform, so I haven’t really been paying any attention to it. I have a hard enough time keeping up on the ones I already have. :/ But this was interesting, to be sure. {thumbs up emoji, if I were on my phone.}

    Liked by 1 person

  53. I joined Threads when it started (I have no idea what # I was in line, haha), but haven’t posted anything on there. I only open it up when it shows up on my Instagram feed and I was to read the replies, lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Stephany, yours is a good approach to Threads. I tried to use it like Twitter for news/information and chit-chat among friends, but it doesn’t bend that way. It seems like the system just wants you to check-in randomly but not befriend anyone. Maybe that is Zuck’s master plan for it.

      Like

  54. Thanks for this description of Threads. I’ve had a similar experience. I joined Threads thinking I might leave X. So far, I’m on both, but not overly active on either.

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  55. Very interesting. I was on Threads but because of its failings which you eloquently describe, I lost interest. And now I’m on Bluesky but I keep forgetting about it because, again, no real interactions. It’s very frustrating because I like to share what I read, and I was doing that quite happily on Twitter/X until Musk took the capability away from WP (actually, I guess WP could have kept the capability if it had been willing to pay Musk for the privilege. I do not blame WP for choosing not to do so). So, where can I share? It looks like WP has added Mastodon to its list of social media platforms that you can automatically send links to, but I’ve been on Mastodon and I’m not going back. If I want to share on Bluesky, I have to do the old copy-and-paste and that just gets so tiresome. Oh, well. With the time I don’t spend on Twitter or Threads or even Bluesky, I can do other things 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marie, I am like you. I’m on Bluesky and just checked to make sure I follow you. I do, but I don’t do anything there because no interactions. I liked Twitter in its heyday when I could go there, share links to news or blog posts, then chit-chat a little, but that’s not how it is now, as you know.

      I was on Mastodon and did not, did not, did not like it. All foam, no beer. I saw that WP added the auto link to it and am hoping WP adds links for Threads and Bluesky soon. Still like you say, time not spent online is time spent elsewhere.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I love that: “all foam, no beer”! I think Bluesky is going public soon so (fingers crossed) WP can add links. Another reason I was disappointed in Threads is because the developers just threw it out there and did not include any of the features that users have come to expect. No excuse for that. Just plain laziness on their part.

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    • Ann, I like to try new social media, out of curiosity so I knew of Threads before it happened. That being said, I don’t think you’re missing anything by not being there, at least as it is today. Maybe it’ll morph into something interesting down the line. 🤷‍♀️

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  58. Ally, thanks for taking one for the blogging buddy team. It’s like you grabbed the idea with a coddiwomple approach and proved it to be true. I shall remain clear from joining Threads. Their ‘charting’ of the experience for users is interesting from what you shared. Way to find some light to the experience. 

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  59. Hey, so… first of all, thanks for writing this up. Loved reading your take on Threads. I don’t use Instagram often but every time I do, it keeps trying to push me to Threads. Whatever.

    Regarding your experience of seeing people not respond with even a Like to long comments, I might have an alt reason – there’s a marked difference between folks who use social networks like reddit and those who use instagram. The former are into browsing till they come across something which they vehemently must comment on and stay engaged in. The latter are in it just for the browsing part. It’s doomscrolling. It’s bad for them. They know it. Can’t do anything about it because they’re addicted.

    I know it’s wrong to generalize that much. I know people who have massive conversations on Instagram but in their DMs, with their friends. So perhaps the distinction should be between people who comment/converse publicly and those who converse privately.

    I also have talked with a lot of folks I know who would rather have full blown conversations in private just to avoid the public commentary and harassment that goes along with being public on the Internet.

    So I guess the real distinction is between folks who are “public” on social media and those who are “private”. Those who are private have been slowly trained by Facebook not to even hit Like. Because the Instagram algorithm is so aggressive that if you hit Like on something, it’ll show you only that, all day long. Same is true for the YouTube algorithm. That’s why it’s so easy to get radicalized on these platforms, because their algorithms are too aggressive.

    Your experience on Threads is basically what Facebook believes is the best way forward – the algo decides what you see. But it’s also what kills all interaction and replaces it with mindless doomscrolling and radicalization. But Facebook doesn’t care as long as the ad-dollars keep coming in and they can march out their dictator in chief every few years to Congress to issue a non-apology that causes their stock price to spike.

    Apologies for the word salad up above. I should probably edit it into something coherent, but I’m too lazy.

    Thanks for reading if you have.

    Like

    • Nitin, thanks for this explanation of how people use FB and Reddit and DMs. I’m not on the first two and avoid DMs. I think you’re right that if you’ve been trained by the system to be wary of even hitting the Like button, and you’re using social media as a way to connect in private, then paying attention to anything someone like me says is not in your wheelhouse.

      I use social media in a public way. I come into it from a blogging angle where everyone chit-chats so to not have any acknowledgement of a comment I leave, let alone not talk with me about it, is off-putting, verging on rude from my perspective. However I take your point, a valid one, about how FB is in it for the money and as long as people doomscroll their days away, hesitating to talk publicly, then I’m left out.

      Not a problem, it’s not like I adore Zuck, nor like I have to use Threads for work, so whatever happens, or not, won’t exactly shatter me. But Threads had so much potential in those early months to be something better than Twitter or Facebook, and now… it just kind of bores me.

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  60. It’s great that information is your love language, Ally!

    I briefly thought about joining Threads. But my inner teenager resisted the idea just because. No real reason. Just because.

    I’m glad you’re enjoying it though.

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    • L. Marie, I joined Threads to see what I could see and learn what I could learn. Pretty much I see pleasant people who don’t want to chat and a system that is programmed to keep people from interacting. Learning is fun, Threads itself is maybe less so! Good that you resisted your inner teenager.

      Like

  61. So nice of you to experiment with Threads so you could give us the scoop. I think overall your questions are answered by John Lennon’s quote. As it is, I have a difficult time making sure there is plenty in my pot. And I like the good stuff in the pots of bloggers I follow (like you). No empty pots needed. 🙂

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    • Pam, well said. I want to like Threads but if the system is rigged to keep us from easily and sincerely connecting, then it has no value to me. Like you, I have limited energy when it comes to online socializing and blogging works best for me.

      Like

  62. Thank you for checking out Threads so I don’t have to. I am curious but I have so many distractions already and generally agree with John Lennon on the subject (excellent quote!). I am not quite done with social media (still posting on Instagram), but I want to be. I was on Twitter in the beginning and it wasn’t too bad. Lots of bloggers and poets (I followed folks who were posting haikus or writing prompts/micro answers to prompts every day). It’s turned into a hellscape and I only keep the account because some businesses only seem to respond if you @ them on Twitter with your complaint. 

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    • Robin, the bottom line of my experiences on Threads is that I realize I’m indifferent to it. No yay, no nay, just a shrug, and I cannot decide if that’s enough to keep me there or not.

      I enjoyed Twitter back in the day, too. I followed people who shared links to information about history and animals and some authors plus there were many bloggers there. Now only a few of my tweeple remain and still chat there, so I stop by to say “hey” to them and that is all.

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  63. Here’s how out of touch I am: I’ve never heard of Threads. Until now. Sounds like a competitor of StitchFix – haha. Wow, you certainly have experimented! Here’s another conundrum: The husband is now back in grad school and in his first online class. He’s upset because one of his assignments is to open a Twitter (or X – God I hate it when big companies change names and we all have to hear and say “X, formerly known as Twitter) account. He doesn’t want to do this (he used to be on it and got off) and feels forcing students onto a social media platform seems unethical. I wondered it he could conscientiously object. So, we’ll see where this leads…

    Liked by 1 person

    • The Travel Architect, you’re right Threads does sound like a competitor to StitchFix. I don’t vehemently dislike Threads and it is less hostile than Twitter [that’ll never really be X to me]. Why is your husband being forced to join Twitter? What class is he in that requires him to do so? I don’t know what to think about that… kind of… weird…

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      • I’m not entirely sure why the course is making him join social media. He’s in a class about science communication that eventually will get him a higher learning certificate – the credentials he needs to teach at the community college level (and he could go further on to get another masters degree, but he probably won’t).

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        • Sounds like an interesting course. I suppose by being on Twitter he’d see what passes for scientific information, how topics are handled, who is accurate, who is not. Maybe there’s value…? 🤷‍♀️

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  64. Pingback: On Threads – Nitin Khanna

  65. I’ve joined Threads when it became available, thinking that I might leave Twitter after the Musk takeover… I’ve kind of stopped using Twitter but have also not engaged more on Threads (because now people from my IG follow me there, so I am not a as free to post what I did on Twitter (different crowd). It’s weird. Do I need another social media platform to keep up with? Do you recommend engaging more?

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    • San, my experiences on Threads have been pleasant, but not compelling. There are many people there who think it is okay to ignore other people who comment on what they say, as if what you and I would call being polite, is an option. I’ve had friends delete their accounts already because of what they perceive to be rude behavior. On the other hand I’ve engaged with some new-to-me people who I like a lot. I don’t know how long I’ll hang in on Threads but it has been a learning experience.

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  66. I’m on Facebook, which I check daily. I’m on Instagram which I remember to check once in awhile, and very rarely post. I prefer the community of blogging for sure, but most people I know in real life don’t blog anymore.

    Interesting insights into Threads.

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    • J, I don’t do FB and maybe Threads is like it more than Twitter? I joined thinking it’d be a Twitter replacement, but so far it’s kind of blah and unfocused. I don’t know anyone in real life who blogs so the community here is entirely virtual for me. And lots of fun whereas in Threads… 🤷‍♀️

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  67. Thanks for sharing the connections to my Threads and WordPress sites, Ally, and for saying many of the things that have crossed my mind about Threads. I only have 76 followers, but even with that, I rarely have anyone liking or commenting on a post. You are one of the very few. I get better reactions or responses by going to other people’s posts and commenting. It is a a site that rambles on, with no direction, and yet I don’t necessarily mind. I enjoy scrolling there for beautiful sunrise/sunset photos, cat photos, and an occasional witty or funny comment about society and its people. And interacting with new people who know nothing of Mary J Melange or my IG account. Sometimes, just having the distraction of Threads is better than getting caught up in reality when you’re in pajamas, holding a cup of tea, and wanting the world to be only what you want it to be.

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    • Mary, happy to include you. You’re one of the few Thread Heads who seems to be there, like me, for the heck of it, no grand plan. The randomness reminds me of IG, which is where I see beautiful photos, more than Twitter which is what I thought it’d be like. I enjoy meeting new people there too while attempting to closely follow the people I already know. I’d love it if Threads would provide lists, then I’d be more drawn to it. But as it stands now, a social media in its infancy, I’m just there for the beer… as I clearly state in my bio. 🍻

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