Twitter's Next Moves: My Assessment

#257: Twitter's Unrealized Potential
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I regularly read Casey Newton's newsletter (it's free!) covering digital news.  Several weeks ago I saved a particularly interesting opinion for later.  Here it is, with my commentary, in green.

"...At Twitter, good ideas languish for years. The expansion of a tweet from 140 to 280 characters required such bruising internal battles that the designer responsible quit in exhaustion after shipping it, I’m told...."

There was significant blowback from users, so I can imagine how difficult that decision was.  Good, though, as it turned out, as we've all gotten used to it now, and routinely run over 140. 

"At Twitter, no idea has languished for quite as long as a feature that would let users follow areas of interest in addition to regular accounts. One reason people have historically abandoned Twitter is the difficulty in figuring out which accounts to follow.

I would describe the problem in a slightly different way.   I recently checked out the Topics feature, and felt my options were almost all crass, pop culture hype, and sports.  And yet I'm sure there are excellent, opinionated writers who I'd enjoy reading and/or viewing, if I knew who they were.

"A “topics” feature, if it were properly implemented, could take the guesswork out of building a list of such accounts. Instead of finding the best accounts that cover the NBA, for example, you could just follow “NBA” and let Twitter do the work.
It’s an idea that dates back to the company’s earliest days, and has long been in development. (“They were definitely working on this idea when I was there in 2016,” one exasperated ex-Twitter employee tweeted at me today.)"

Except, this look-it-up functionality wouldn't highlight the quality account I might want to follow, so much as--it would seem--follow commercial logic.  The dull writers on a subject I'm interested in won't make my cut.  Meanwhile, an excellent writer on a subject I know nothing about would turn me into an interested party.

"Recently, Twitter invited me to its headquarters to let me know that the feature is now ready to launch, and will be available globally on November 13th. I wrote about it today at The Verge:
You will be able to follow more than 300 “topics” across sports, entertainment, and gaming, just as you are currently able to follow individual accounts. In return, you’ll see tweets from accounts that you don’t follow that have credibility on these subjects."

"That have credibility on these subjects" is the key phrase.  Is this popularity based on critical acclaim, or will it be more of a pop cultural nod to the broad and the loose.

"Twitter executives hope that Topics will make the platform more approachable for new and intermittent users and make it easier for heavier users to discover new accounts and conversations."

OK, I'll check it out. 

"...Generally speaking, the more heavily you use Twitter, the less valuable you may find Topics — power users tend to be really good at curating a perfect list of accounts to follow. But for new, casual, and lapsed users, I expect Topics to be a powerful tool for Twitter that could help the company grow its user base."

Hard to disagree, then. 

"It’s the latest overdue but welcome feature that Twitter has shipped in recent months. Under the leadership of head of product Kayvon Beykpour, the company began removing abusive tweets faster; shipped a native app for MacOS; added a search feature to direct messages; turned its lists into swipeable timelines; and began letting you hide replies to your tweets. And that’s just what the company has shipped since September.
It appears that much more is on the horizon."

Sounds good. 

"[Recently], Dantley Davis, Twitter’s vice president for design and research, raised eyebrows with a tweet in which he said he is “looking forward to” the launch of several new features next year. They include: letting users remove themselves from conversations; preventing their tweets from being retweeted if they choose; preventing people from mentioning their user names without permission; and sending tweets only to a specific hashtag, interest, or group of friends."

More goodness, it would seem.  Hopefully these changes will reduce the attack dog atmosphere that some have complained about. 

"In a follow-up tweet, Davis also suggested the company would begin labeling multi-tweet threads automatically."

Another winner. 

"On one hand, this is classic Twitter: lots of talk ahead of actions that could be months, if not more than a year, away. But thanks to the company’s recent track record, I’m much more inclined to believe it will follow through on that talk. For the first time in many years, the company is backing up its talk with action. Here’s hoping that it’s one Twitter trend that is here to stay."

From my perspective, all would be well if Twitter enabled a system for ranking writers (aside from 'likes'), perhaps within specific topics; this, to enable the best to rise up and be followed.  

I've written about civility on Twitter here.  And, about ranking, here.  A simple ranking would allow followers to note the accounts they enjoy the most.  This would mean I could surf from one recommendation to the next, until I found someone to follow, someone who I didn't even know I was looking for. 

The 'Exit Trump' Scenario

#256: If It Happens, It'll Likely Be Along These Lines
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On Quora, I posted this answer to the question:

Is it at all within the realm of possibility that enough Senators will grow a spine, defy McConnell and vote to convict? Perhaps Senators from purple states? What about retiring Senators?

Yes, though the percentage is probably 25% or less. Here’s the scenario:

  * The Democrats’ best chance is to have Bolton, and other independently-minded witnesses make dramatic appearances in the Senate trial.
  * Because Chief Justice Roberts will be the presiding officer at that trial, the Ds have no reason to drag things out (waiting for months for the Supreme Court to force Bolton and others to testify), since Roberts would be the likely swing vote in such cases, and his decisions at the trial will be final, as well (Will Bolton testify? Yes or no?).
  * And with Bolton et al providing the fireworks, there’s certainly a chance that public sentiment favoring impeachment will spike.
  * Next, as has been noted by John Richards in another answer to this question, there’s the possibility that 51 senators would want a secret ballot (for obvious reasons). If so (let’s say Mitt Romney, Susan Collins and Cory Gardner convince several retiring members to allow this, and join all Dems except Joe Manchin and Doug Jones) the result would be totally unpredictable—easily a 50/50 proposition.
  * Since Trump (sensing defeat) might want to get out before conviction, a voluntary retirement and Federal pardon by President Pence might even obviate the need for a secret ballot—which is arguably in iffy territory.
  * Considering how close to the vest senators would want to keep their hands, it might be that the public never hears about the above, but instead witnesses a White House departure for Mar a Largo in early January. No trial, no secret ballot controversy, just the hidden hand of Mitt Romney and associates letting McConnell know the jig is up. In fact, senators like Collins might want to hint darkly about her involvement, in the hopes of averting a loss next November.  Maybe Manchin would join her at a presser, making the point that he was on the other side, but that both sides were bi-partisan in make up.

Top Ten Steps To Fighting Climate Change

#255: The Most Effective Things One Can Do
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Kayleen Schaefer, in Curbed, has constructed a lengthy list describing the big and little things that, together, amount to Living Sustainably.

Since we're all looking for ways to save energy, money, and the planet, here's my top ten version, a weighted mix of cheapest, easiest, and most important.  I'll also note whether I, personally, have made any headway on an item (score 0-100).  And, hopefully, I'll have something to say about each.

First, though, it should be noted that some pundits dismiss personal responsibility, insisting that without direction from above (government putting a price on carbon; corporations offering green options) the actions of individuals amount to mere drops in the bucket.  But choice itself requires practice (am I buying things out of habit, or because I've actually thought through my actions and choices?), which suggests there's no downside to this list.

Top Ten Actions For Living Sustainably, Fighting Climate Change

#10: Fly Less -- 70%  I am at 6 years without flying, though there was much jetting about in my younger days.  Direct flights and carbon offsets are ways to feel better, as are trains and other public transport.
#9: Change Lightbulbs to LEDs or CFLs -- 95%  Easy and relatively cheap (these slightly more expensive bulbs pay for themselves, many times over, in energy savings).
#8: If You Build New, Construct A Passive Energy House -- 0%  Passive energy is when the house heats up or cools down naturally--by allowing the sun, for example, streaming in windows, to heat things up in a super-insulated home, rather than using energy to run a furnace.
#7: Renovate An Old Home -- 35%  We shared the cost of energy saving upgrades with our local utility 5-10 years ago; but, there's so much more to be done.
#6: Go Electric -- 35%  Recent: mower, weed eater, power saw.  Big ticket item still to go: car.
#5: Downsize -- 75%  I lead a comfortable life, but there are many things I do without.  Just one: I buy perhaps 50% of clothes at thrift stores, paying steeply reduced prices.
#4: Install Solar Panels -- 5%  I asked a contractor to complete the work, but after emailing me a cost estimate, he couldn't find time (back then there was nobody locally).
#3: Avoid Bad Corporations -- 95%  Here's the link that Schaefer provides.  I narrow down the list to a 'dirty thirty' (scroll to bottom of this page) that are the more recognizable.  Avoid them, if possible.  Also, if you can afford it, buy local, from small businesses, and those that value sustainability.
#2: Promote Renewables (by easily switching to Wind/Solar) -- 100%  We use our local electric utility, but the electricity itself is supplied by a company called Arcadia Power, which charges a small premium for wind energy.  I have also been offered a solar equivalent, 'community solar', by the same company.
#1: Elect Candidates With Good Climate Plans -- 100%  This is a top concern when I vote.  But, it gets tricky when one considers which candidates are broadly popular enough to have a healthy Senate majority with which to work (otherwise, stalemate).

Another 20 Suggestions -- from the original list of 101
Buy Sustainably Harvested Wood Furniture (so carbon-sequestering forests aren't lost)
Purchase Fair Trade Products (don't support human misery and environmental loserdom)
Weatherproof Your Windows
Hang-dry your clothes (if, like me, you live in a 'dry' house)
Clean/Replace Air Filters in heating/AC systems (saves $$)
Plant Your Own Veggies
Ditch Your Lawn (if your town's rules allow)--or try a lawn that's fed grass clippings
Use Washable Cloths Instead of Paper Napkins/Towels
Plant Trees
Push Your City To Move To Clean Energy
Subscribe To A CSA (farmer's produce sign-up plan)
Back Transit-Oriented Development (light rail, etc.)
Plan Mindful Itineraries (combine errands for a single 'run')
Say “No” To Over-Laundering (your clothes/sheets will last longer, for one)
Stay in Sustainable Lodging (or, try requesting no room service: "do not disturb")
Stop Drinking Bottled Water (I am currently using a one-time salsa jar)
Disinvest From Fossil Fuels (if you're that wealthy)
Buy New Appliances With The Energy Star Label (google relevant reviews, looking for efficiency)
Don’t Use One-Day Shipping (ask for USPS -- no extra emissions with the same daily route)
Cook At Home (big batch cooking lasts for days, and is much cheaper)
Eat Less Meat (canned salmon that's 'wild caught' is relatively benign)
Compost (if you have the space)
Recycle Better (google your community's recycling rules)
Bring Your Own Shopping Bags (it becomes second nature)
Learn From Greta (young adult = inspiring)


The 'Dirty Thirty' List
American National Insurance
Amerco
Black Knight
Chemed Corp
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Cinemark Holdings
Cintas Corp
Dish Network
Dollar General
Dollar Tree
Domino's Pizza
Dunkin Brands
Extended Stay America
Flowers Food
Herbalife Nutrition
Kirby Corp
Madison Square Garden
McDonald's
Michaels Cos
Monster Beverage
Pilgrim's Pride Corp
Servicemaster Global
Six Flags Entertainment
Sprouts Farmers Market
Stericycle
Tesla
Trinity Industries
US Steel
Wendys
WR Grace

What If The 'Fountain of Youth' Is ... Sleep?

#254: Sleep As A Step Back In Time
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Previously, in my series on sleeping:
* Timing: my system
* Exertion: staying asleep
Now:
* Sleep: The elusive 'fountain of youth'?

It was just this year that new research showed deep sleep clears the brain of toxins associated with Alzheimer's.  Which suggests that developed sleeping skills enable us to, each night, rewind the clock.  Failing to do so, the study points out, is cumulative, in that the uncleared brain gets less deep sleep, which means less clearing in the future.

So, perhaps, a 'natural' human life-span is 100-200 years, and it's only the befuddlement of sleep deprivation that shortens that span by half.

If so, it might be a good idea to teach sleep fundamentals in school.  Like the frankly amazing results from teaching 'character', a periodic reminder of sleep 'hacks' every month or so in a student's PE class might bear fruit.

Deciding On My New Avatar

#253: The Case For Each Option
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My five options, a Snoopy cameo, and which I'm likely to pick, in countdown order:

#5: The in-your-face option:

Reminds me of a dog barking.  Radical.
And not at all likely to be picked.

#4: The lesser hidden image:

Crow's Beak.  99% wouldn't see it.  Flashy yellow,
but overall a dull wallflower aspect.

#3: The greater hidden image:

Vaguely Meso-American.  I like the leaf stem pointing to
the figure's eye, but requires up-close scrutiny.

Just for fun:  Snoopy-like figure:

Red Baron (shakes fist)!

#2: The heartbeater:

My original favorite, and maybe return champ.  Spectacular
color, plus upper right and lower left yellow seem to
be pointing towards each other, so
I 💛 this.

#1: The lone alternative:

A dazzler, with a boxed-in brown leaf border
--on closer inspection--above right, above left,
and center left.  The white snow is as
perfect as wilderness.  Plus, there's
one fanned ginkgo leaf in the
lower right corner.