# Now that Elon Musk has bought Twitter - now the Pit edition (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 25, 2022, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442 "2022-04-25T22:50:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 351
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7006 "2023-10-05T22:46:20Z")
Presumably, the mission of X is to deliver eyeballs to advertisers. Difficult to do when eyeballs are fleeing your website because it sucks harder every day. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7007 "2023-10-05T22:49:09Z")
Well, about that… > **[US ad revenue at Musk's X declined each month since takeover -data](https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-ad-revenue-musks-x-declined-each-month-since-takeover-data-2023-10-04/)** > > Monthly U.S. ad revenue at social media platform X has declined at least 55% year-over-year each month since billionaire Elon Musk bought the company formerly known as Twitter in October 2022, according to third-party data provided to Reuters. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7008 "2023-10-05T23:01:23Z")
The ad revenue decline was previously posted **[here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition/963442/6988)**. What I will add is to say that ever since Elmo brought the Ocarina of Time on board in May, ad revenue has plunged even further. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7009 "2023-10-05T23:02:29Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Presumably, the mission of X is to deliver eyeballs to advertisers. Difficult to do when eyeballs are fleeing your website because it sucks harder every day. You’re 100% right that _was_ Twitter’s mission. IMO X’s mission is simply to be a mouthpiece for Elmo. And a propaganda vehicle for the hard right. The rest is fig leaves of ever-decreasing plausibility. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7010 "2023-10-05T23:16:25Z")
Masterful gambit, sir. [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53237731215_541bd347eb_c.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53237731215_541bd347eb_c.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7011 "2023-10-05T23:37:37Z")
I for one would be proud to have that leopard eat _my_ face. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7012 "2023-10-06T03:15:08Z")
I could argue that, in modern times, the propensity to just read headlines and not read the actual information in the news - i.e. the backing evidence - is a pretty significant problem. Being rick-rolled into having to do so might actually be good for the world. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7013 "2023-10-06T03:31:17Z")
A counter argument is that the picture often is not matched well to the article, and in fact, if this is what happens permanently, you’ll see even more terrible article/picture matches. You’ll only really know what the article is about after you click on it… it could be anything from porn to a statement of sovereign rights. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7014 "2023-10-06T03:53:31Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > it could be anything from porn to a statement of sovereign rights. I do believe I said rick-rolled into… ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7015 "2023-10-06T03:57:25Z")
… you said, Rick rolled into reading actual information in the news, or something otherwise useful, not Rick rolled the reading a BuzzFeed article about Olivia, Rodrigo’s favorite food. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7016 "2023-10-06T04:05:18Z")
> **[SEC sues Elon Musk to force him to testify in Twitter probe](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/05/sec-sues-elon-musk-to-testify-in-twitter-probe-00120234)** > > The Wall Street regulator is investigating potential violations of U.S. securities laws regarding Musk's deal to acquire Twitter, now X. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7017 "2023-10-06T06:03:30Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Olivia, Rodrigo’s favorite food I’m opposed to cannibalism, no matter who Rodrigo intends on eating. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7018 "2023-10-06T06:09:33Z")
“But she’s SO _tasty_!” ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7019 "2023-10-06T06:50:12Z")
I thought Olivia was some olive-based vegan meat substitute. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7020 "2023-10-06T14:43:55Z")
Nope. They can’t trademark “Olivia”. But you’re almost certainly spot-on that somebody is working on a product similar to that right now and totally will trademark a made-up word very similar to “Olivia”. I have an annoying alarm bell ringing in my head right now that I recently (last 2-ish months) saw an advertisement for a product called “Ol…” which was some sort of olive-based line of foods or oils or something. Or maybe it was a line of new “healthy” meals from some restaurant chain. I’ve tried but can’t recall enough to Google up anything useful. ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecc23a/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada_Jr)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7021 "2023-10-06T15:49:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > saw an advertisement for a product called “Ol…” which was some sort of olive-based line of foods or oils or something. Possibly: > **[Starbucks Oleato](https://stories.starbucks.com/starbucks-oleato-olive-oil-meets-coffee/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=oleato1)** > > Starbucks debuts a new coffee ritual – coffee infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil. Find out what inspired it, how it was created, what the new beverages are and more. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7022 "2023-10-06T17:45:54Z")
Freedom of speech means the ability for Musk to call someone a “pedo guy”, but not for him to be called one himself. > ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7023 "2023-10-06T18:10:14Z")
> [@Reno\_Nevada\_Jr](#): > > Possibly: > > [Starbucks Oleato](https://stories.starbucks.com/starbucks-oleato-olive-oil-meets-coffee/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=oleato1) 'Zactly. Thank you. I now recall I saw a poster for that in one of their stores. A real headscratcher it was. Then again, if folks put butter in coffee, why not olive oil? Both sound disgusting to me, but I admit I’ve not tried them. I might well like them more than I expect to. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7024 "2023-10-06T18:24:10Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/DkBU1RW.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/DkBU1RW.png) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/7025 "2023-10-06T18:37:41Z")
_Slate_ started posting their Twitter links with the text “Whoa – you have GOT to read this” as a bit of a joke. (The first proposed text was “haha holy shit WOW,” which if you ask me is objectively better.) No matter what the article was about, it got the same description. And those posts got about twice the engagement as the previous posts they made with an actual description of the article. “Right now on X it pays to be mercenary and borderline deceptive.” > **[“Whoa—You Have GOT to Read This”: Slate’s New Twitter Strategy, Explained](https://slate.com/technology/2023/10/slates-new-twitter-strategy-explained.html)** > > When X changed its policy on links, we changed ours. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442.md?page=350) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442.md?page=352)