In a world where reading the news feels like extreme sports, hopping onto X (formerly known as Twitter) is like diving into a vortex of caffeine-fuelled drama. It's all a bit much. And when the world outside is already spinning in high gear, is this really what we need?
As if things weren’t chaotic enough, the man behind the wheel, Elon Musk, has a knack for hitting the gas instead of the brakes.
Musk’s presence is part of what makes X feel so unpredictable, toxic, and disconcerting. Ever since the demise of the bluebird of happiness, he has turned into a platform owner who jumps in with takes on everything from geopolitics to meme stocks to Mars colonies, Musk has helped make X feel like a hyper-caffeinated town square, and when the person leading the platform treats it like their own personal toy, playing a game of hot takes and high stakes, it trickles down to the rest of us, fueling an environment where chaos becomes the norm.
Why does this matter, and why does Musk’s hands-on style feel so toxic.
1. The Outrage Cycle
X is not just about sharing news; it’s about sharing the most infuriating part of the news. And Musk? He’s often right there, stoking the fire with comments or memes that can be as polarizing as they are attention-grabbing. With each Musk-boosted controversy, the outrage builds. And in chaotic times, who needs the extra agitation? Especially when these things are pushed into your feed, and there is no escape.
2. The Pressure to Have a Take on Everything
Musk embodies X’s compulsion to weigh in on every trending topic. From climate change to cryptocurrency, he’s got an opinion, and he’s not afraid to share it. But try keeping up with all the hot takes when even the CEO is stirring the pot nonstop, is mentally taxing and exhausting for everyone involved, even passive readers. We decided it was time to break away from the barrage.
3. It’s Hard to Find the Good Stuff
Ever tried finding purely positive, helpful content on X? It’s like sifting through sand to find a cupcake. There’s still humour, wisdom, and brilliance on X, but it’s buried beneath arguments, political debates, and more Musk.
His polarizing presence casts a long shadow, making it harder to find the wholesome or helpful nuggets that get lost in the rubble of hot takes and CEO interjections.
4. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is Real
X preys on anyone who suffers from FOMO like no other, and his deliberately unpredictable statements add fuel to any fire currently burning. Just when you think you’re up to speed, a new Musk-related controversy, comment, or trend erupts. Not knowing what’s happening can feel like missing a cultural moment—but staying connected all the time is a recipe for burnout. Constantly needing to stay updated feels more like survival than enjoyment.
5. Negativity is Contagious
When the world already feels as if it is teetering on the edge of a precipice, logging onto a platform where people, Musk included, vent, criticise, and argue, can seriously impact your mindset.
Musk’s own attention grabbing tendency to get pulled into Twitter spats sets a tone that encourages more combative interactions. Negativity spreads fast on X, especially with a leader who sometimes amplifies it, leaving everyone mentally drained.
6. The Distraction Dilemma
Chaos outside? It’s tempting to dive into the chaos on your screen and treat it like background noise. But using X as a distraction from real-life challenges risks leaving us more overwhelmed.
And with Musk and what is left of his team constantly adding unexpected twists, it’s easy to feel caught in an endless scroll of online arguments instead of dealing with what’s actually important to you.
So, What’s the Alternative?
In a world where chaos feels like a full-time job, maybe X doesn’t need to be. Dial down the doomscrolling, give the Musk-fueled rage-inducing tweets a rest.
If you can't live without social media, there are other platforms like Threads, and TrustCafe.
Threads and TrustCafe are two emerging players in the social media landscape, each bringing a fresh perspective to online interaction.
Threads is Meta’s answer to X. It aims to create a more positive, community-driven platform where users can share quick updates and join conversations with a slightly more supportive vibe. Its design focuses on simplicity and ease of use, encouraging a more authentic, real-time dialogue.
TrustCafe is a niche platform focused on cultivating trust and meaningful engagement. Built around a café-style social experience, TrustCafe emphasizes real, verified profiles and intentional interactions, allowing users to “meet” and interact in a more relaxed, intimate setting.
Together, Threads and TrustCafe are examples of how social media platforms are moving towards creating safer, more supportive spaces for digital connection.
So, if you must scroll, why not look for the laughs, the learning, and the lighthearted, because in a world that feels upside down, we don’t need to add more fuel to the fire. If Musk wants to stir the pot, let him—but maybe it’s time we choose to simmer down.