Twitter/X: How a Simple Messaging App Changed Communication

X Headquarter's; located in San Francisco, CA

Today, Twitter, now known as X, is one of the most recognizable social media platforms in the world. It has changed the way people communicate, share news, and discuss important issues.

Twitter was co-founded by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone, and Noah Glass in 2006. The platform was created in San Francisco as a side project at a podcasting company called Odeo. Twitter launches explains that Odeo was struggling after Apple entered the podcasting market, so employees were encouraged to come up with new ideas.

One of those ideas came from Jack Dorsey. He proposed a service that would allow people to send short

Jack Dorsey - Twitter Co-Founder

status updates to groups of friends using text messages. What started as a small experiment eventually grew into a platform used by millions of people around the world.

The creators wanted to make communication faster and easier. Before Twitter, people often had to send multiple text messages if they wanted to update several friends at once.

Twitter solved that problem by allowing users to post one short update that could immediately be shared with everyone following them. This made communication more efficient and allowed information to spread much faster.

One of Twitter's biggest contributions to communication was speed. People could learn about important events as they happened instead of waiting for television broadcasts or newspaper reports.

Twitter also created a direct connection between public figures and ordinary users. Politicians, celebrities, businesses, and journalists could communicate directly with the public, while users could respond and join conversations.

Another positive effect was the platform's ability to raise awareness about important issues. Social movements, community organizations, and advocacy groups used Twitter to share information and organize support for causes they believed in.

According to the Pew Research Center, many people believe social media helps inform the public and increase awareness of important issues. Twitter helped make communication more interactive by allowing users to participate in discussions rather than simply receiving information.

Despite its benefits, Twitter has also faced criticism. Because information spreads so quickly, false or misleading information can reach large audiences before it is verified.

The platform has also dealt with harassment, toxic behavior, and political division. These concerns have led to ongoing debates about how social media companies should manage content on their platforms.

Supporters of Donald Trump rioting
outside the Capital Building
on January 6

One of the biggest controversies in Twitter's history occurred in January 2021 when the company permanently suspended former President Donald Trump's account. Twitter stated that the decision was made because of the risk of further incitement of violence following the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Supporters believed the suspension was necessary for public safety, while critics argued that it gave a private company too much power over political speech. The decision sparked a nationwide debate about censorship and free speech on social media.

The discussion continued after Elon Musk purchased Twitter in 2022. Following the acquisition, internal company documents known as the Twitter Files were released to journalists. These documents revealed discussions about content moderation and several high-profile decisions made by the company.

The Twitter Files increased public debate about censorship, transparency, and the role social media companies should play in deciding what content appears online. They also highlighted the challenges that come with managing a platform used by millions of people.

Twitter was originally created to solve a simple communication problem, but it ended up changing how people share information around the world. It made communication faster, more direct, and more interactive while also creating challenges involving misinformation, censorship concerns, and online behavior.

Whether people view Twitter positively or negatively, there is no denying that it has had a major impact on communication and modern society.

AI Disclosure: This blog post was written with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot. I was provided with a prompt by my professor. I first researched Twitter/X and developed a presentation script that covered the platform's history, purpose, impact on communication, and major controversies. After reviewing and editing the script, I used Copilot to help transform the presentation material into a blog post format. Copilot assisted with organizing the information, improving readability, and refining the overall structure, while the topic selection, research direction, content review, and final submission decisions were completed by me.

Hidden Voices for Peace

Protest at the University of Michigan speaking against the Vietnam War

Whether Fox News encourages people to believe the Iran War is productive, CNN promotes the Ukraine War, or mainstream news outlets are war hungry, we almost never see them unify to say anti-war is the solution.

As a young college student and a registered voter, it is important for me to find the right information to consume. The mainstream news networks are always blaming one another and no works is done to push our country forward. 

As I explore some websites that do not get as much attention, I am reminded that sometimes I need to look beyond mainstream sources to hear viewpoints that are not part of the everyday conversation.

When I encountered AntiWar.com, I was met with what initially looked somewhat of an unprofessional website, but the information and perspective was fascinating. Their mission statement mentions that they are devoted to "the cause of non-interventionism," and have writers from all over the political spectrum. 

This already made their opinions more eye-catching to me, as I was reading point of view's from not just one side of politics, but from essentially every side. 

Before and after, Gaza rubble

One post is titled, "'This Is Where I Live Now, the Back of a Truck': A Day in the Life of a Grandmother in Gaza." It really stood out to me because while I do see left-wing media speak out against Israel's actions in Gaza, I haven't been able to read a personal story such as that. 

The American Conservative also publishes many articles that question military intervention and support what its writers call a foreign policy of "realism and restraint." Its contributors frequently argue against endless wars and foreign entanglements, believing that military action often creates more problems than it solves.

In a recent article titled, "Iran War Day 206: Bessent ‘Can’t Tell You’ How Long War Will Go," Treasury

United States secretary of the treasury,
Scott Bessent

Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that he frankly has no idea when the war could end, stating it could go "one week, one month, or six months," but of course we're pressuring them!

The article concludes on how diesel prices have hit an all time high. Keep pressuring them Bessent, you guys are doing great.

There is a clear reason as to why these organizations are way less mainstream than they should be. It is the government putting fear into them at the thought of being shut down with prior restraint. 

Mainstream news sources will also do whatever possible to keep their title of being "mainstream." Antiwar voices may bring too much controversy and that is not what most of the big media companies want to promote. They usually want to report on what they think the majority of the country wants to see and hear about.

A lot of people will ask: "What can we possibly do about this?" We must continue doing our own independent research. I have become way more of a critical thinker for myself since I started branching out and finding sources that were not coming from extreme bias on the right or left.

Our country is divided, but hopefully we as the up and coming generation can strive to make positive changes, so those following in our footsteps won't have to face the consequences of those before us. 

Privacy, Online & Off

Before watching this TED Talk, I knew that privacy was a concern in the digital age, but I did not realize how many different ways information about people can be collected and tracked. The presentation showed how surveillance and data collection have become part of everyday life, often without people fully understanding the extent of it.

One of the most striking ideas was that technology can track where people go throughout the day. According to the talk, camera equipment can monitor visits to places such as churches, grocery stores, and other locations.

The speaker also discussed how police departments can use this information to make judgments about individuals. That raised concerns about how people's actions might be interpreted when viewed through large amounts of collected data.

Another issue that stood out was the use of automatic license plate readers. These systems turn license plates into searchable text, making it possible to keep records of where vehicles have been and when they were there.

The TED Talk explained that the cost of surveillance equipment has decreased significantly. Because the technology is more affordable, agencies may keep large amounts of information simply because it could be useful later.

The discussion of religious bias was especially concerning. The example of police driving by mosques to identify people considered suspicious showed how surveillance can affect certain communities more than others.

The presentation also introduced the concept of a cell tower dump. This technique can gather information associated with everyone connected to a particular cell tower, not just a specific person under investigation.

The section on Facebook's business model was equally eye-opening. Terms such as data mining, tracking technologies, digital dossiers, behavioral marketing, and deep packet inspection illustrated how personal information can become a valuable commodity.

The third-party doctrine was one of the most important concepts discussed. The idea that people can lose control over their information after voluntarily providing it to another party shows how difficult it can be to maintain privacy in a connected world.

These issues affect me, my friends, and my family because much of our daily lives involve technology, communication systems, and social media platforms. The TED Talk made it clear that information can be collected, stored, and used in ways that many people may not expect.

Based on the concerns raised in the presentation, the government should pay closer attention to how surveillance technologies and personal data are used. The video suggested that collecting large amounts of information without meaningful control can create serious privacy concerns.

The talk also implied that protecting ourselves begins with understanding how our information is shared. Being aware that personal data can be tracked, stored, and passed to third parties is an important first step toward protecting privacy.

Overall, the TED Talk changed the way I think about privacy. I used to view privacy mainly as a personal issue, but the presentation showed that it is also a social issue involving technology, government practices, and the increasing collection of personal information.

AI DISCLOSURE: The post was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I took detailed notes while watching a TED Talk on Privacy, Online and Off. In addition to facts that I learned, I emphasized my own reactions and opinions while watching. I then asked Copilot to help me improve the text by correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation. I asked Copilot to help me shape the text into a blog post format. After reviewing the text, I added links to related resources and appropriate images and captions.

My Most Valued Freedom of Expression

In our recent class, we engaged in a group discussion on the Eight Values of Free Expression in the community. All eight of the values mentioned are extremely prevalent in our society today, but I will be writing on just one of the eight. 

The value that I believe is the most important to our society today is Protect Dissent. It is stated that people have a "strongly protected right to disagree with the government — and everyone else." You can even go so far as to say it is your patriotic duty to criticize the government. 

Steve Shiffrin, author of the book Dissent, Injustice, and the Meanings of America, claims that we should all encourage dissent, or expressing opinions that disagree with the majority, rather than simply tolerate it because dissent is at the heart of free speech.

Protect Dissent is a very obvious value of free expression that we can see in our country in recent years.

We live in a divided nation. A nation divided all along the political spectrum. From self proclaimed leftists, liberals, conservatives, MAGA, and everything in between. It is easy to find those in the United States using their passionate expression to show their discomfort with our government and legislation they may be attempting to pass. 

Engaging in peaceful protests is one of the strongest values I believe in today. In times where I've seen unconstitutional actions from the past three Presidents, the time to stand up for one's own beliefs is a need.

One of the most notable protests I've seen lately are the No Kings Protests around the country. The first protest was held on June 14, 2024. Reasons for these protests have ranged from the management of the Epstein Files, the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Iran War, etc. 

As with any protest, I see it as whether someone agrees with the message or not, their ability to gather peacefully and express their opinions is an important part of free expression. 

For opposite political beliefs, I've found as though one of the most key figures to expressing his opposition to political figures is our very own President: Donald Trump.

President Trump has been infamously known for attacking key political figures, as well as many who oppose any of his decisions by lashing out on social media. 

The President recently took to his platform Truth Social to attack media outlets who are opposing him on his stance for the Iran War. He took to Truth Social, writing: “The people and Media Outlets that keep harping on the fact that we have no ammunition (And they are 100% wrong!), are actually treasonous. They do it because they would rather see the United States LOSE a War that we’re easily WINNING, than see me WIN!”

Regardless of whether the media's claims or Trump's response are correct, this instance stood out to me and exemplified why protecting dissent is important. Journalists and citizens must be able to question the government's statements and policies, particularly during times of conflict.

Through all of this back-and-forth bickering on social media and in the streets, I have been able to connect this to my personal life at High Point. We are all at an age where almost everyone has developed their basic governmental opinions at least, and express them to their peers. While researching and understanding the value of "Protect Dissent," I've learned that it is more important than ever for me to understand its relation in my life, as well as others. It is indeed not only my right, but my necessity as a U.S. citizen to speak my mind without fear of consequences or punishment.

My Top 5 News Sources

 1. Roca News

My main news source is one that many people appear to seem unfamiliar with. RocaNews views themselves as a "non-partisan" news source that does not take sides from a Republican nor a Democratic stance. As someone who has been getting a lot of my news stories from Roca, I can say for myself that there is no obvious bias in their writing. They strictly cover what is going on in the world with no opinionated pieces. I also enjoy reading comments from other readers to see their stances. It is a good escape for me, as I don't need to constantly look at a mainstream media source that has a clear agenda to push.

2. TikTok

Yes, I know it doesn't sound great, but TikTok has provided me with interesting and engaging news stories. Considering I am on my phone a lot, (maybe a little too much), I rely on TikTok to give me updates on our world. The format is easy to comprehend and it's easy to stay updated. There may be a lot of bias, but it is quick and effective information to post and the content gains a lot of traction from viewers.

3. Instagram

Similar to TikTok, I know it's not the best, but it gets the job done. My algorithm is able to pick up on the content I am interested in, so I get a lot of news sources on my explore page, as well as Instagram reels. The graphics made by most creators are extremely eye-catching and pull me into their stories. While some may consider the app to be a "news source," I still find it to be very much informative and it helps me stay aware on certain news stories.

4. Fox News

And in comes the sources that I don't typically "enjoy" to watch. As almost everyone knows, Fox News has a clear Republican agenda that they post. While there are left-leaning news anchors on the network, the stories are pushed towards those on the right side of politics. While it is definitely not my favorite source to read for independent views, it can still be interesting at times. I enjoy reading not just moderate stories, but I also like seeing what both sides have to say. It helps me get a better understanding of where the right may be coming from.

5. CNN

This is pretty much the same as my previous writing. CNN is known as the main left-leaning news source in the country. Their political stories are almost certainly anti-republican and anti-Trump. Their audience consists of those who consider themselves liberal, and Republicans find themselves calling the network "fake news." Just like Fox News, I don't see myself as being ignorant toward their clear bias, but with that being said, I enjoy seeing how the left will view certain political stories. I'm able to compare and contrast between stories at CNN and Fox News. 

Supreme Court Reflection

The U.S. Supreme Court is the most powerful court on Earth.

Before watching this documentary, I knew the Supreme Court was the highest court in the United States, but I did not realize how selective the process is. One of the most interesting things I learned is that Supreme Court cases begin with petitions, and although thousands are submitted each year, only about 100 are accepted.

I also learned more about how the Court operates behind closed doors. According to the documentary, all decisions are made in private, and the justices must wait for legal problems to come before them rather than going out and looking for issues to solve.

The most important takeaway for me is that the Court's power depends on public faith. The documentary emphasized that the Supreme Court has no power unless people believe in its impartiality and respect its decisions.

Another point that stood out was how the justices work together despite disagreements. The documentary explained that the first thing they do when they meet is shake hands, symbolizing that they will not hold grudges against one another. That tradition reflects the importance of maintaining respect even when opinions differ.

The most surprising thing I learned was the sheer number of cases the Court receives. I was amazed to hear that around 7,000 cases are submitted each year and that the Court receives roughly 100 new cases each week.

I was also surprised by how brief oral arguments are. Lawyers get just 30 minutes per side to present arguments before nine justices who may already have their own ideas about the issues being discussed.

The documentary also explored important moments in the Court's history, including the Dred Scott case, which was described as a self-inflicted wound, and the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law. These examples showed how deeply the Court's decisions can affect the nation.

Overall, the video changed the way I think about the Supreme Court. I used to see it mainly as a place where judges make decisions, but now I see it as an institution built on public trust, careful deliberation, and the responsibility of interpreting the Constitution. The documentary made the Court seem more human, while also showing just how significant its role is.

AI DISCLOSURE: The post was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I took detailed notes while watching a 20-minute video about the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to facts that I learned, I emphasized my own reactions and opinions while watching. I then asked Copilot to help me improve the text by correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation. I asked Copilot to help me shape the text into a blog post format. After reviewing the text, I added links to related resources and appropriate images and captions.