# 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:** 456
**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:** [March 1, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9106 "2024-03-01T02:25:24Z")
On Twitter, which I barely ever use, I just check and I have three followers. One is my wife, and I’m pretty sure she isn’t fake. Another is some random dude who I’m pretty sure is real, he’s supposedly some unknown musician trying to advertise. So likely it’s spam from someone who is real. The last is clearly fake. A female photo for the profile and only one post ever, showing barely-covered boobs (but no face in the photo, probably because it wouldn’t match the profile photo). Also they are following 10 times as many people as are following them. I’m sure if I showed actual signs of life on the platform then I’d have more followers than that, but as I said, I rarely use it. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9107 "2024-03-01T03:41:08Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > [https://x.com/RadioFreeTom/status/1761899214408163626?s=20](https://x.com/RadioFreeTom/status/1761899214408163626?s=20) > > I have to agree with Tom. I post at Mastodon (2 accounts) and have a Bluesky and Threads account. I’m disappointed that they really don’t have the traction of Twitter-X, at least yet. > > My anime group at Mastodon is fun though. Regarding Elmo whining that he can’t figure out how to install Windows without creating a Microsoft account, I just came across a comment on a YouTube community post making fun of him for it that hadn’t occurred to me, though its blindingly obvious. > The ultimate irony is that Elon made it much harder to use Twitter without an account lmao I don’t have or want a Twitter account and have just gotten used to the fact that I can’t look at more than a single linked Twit without being told I need to create an account to look at pretty much anything else. You used to be able to look at everything on Twitter without an account before Elmo took over. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9108 "2024-03-01T04:14:12Z")
Yep, my usage of Twitter has gone way down since he took over and created that limitation. Genius, and just desserts! ---
**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:** [March 1, 2024, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9109 "2024-03-01T06:09:59Z")
> ---
**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:** [March 1, 2024, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9110 "2024-03-01T06:53:03Z")
^^^^^^^^^ Beautiful Xeet by that Tomlinson guy! “I’m not crazy. Everyone else is!” – Elmo 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9111 "2024-03-01T09:54:00Z")
My number of Xitter followers had bumped around in the low 30s for years. This year it’s going up and up and up. I very much doubt any of them are following me because I’m particularly interesting. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9112 "2024-03-01T12:56:51Z")
If he’s never been to therapy, then that would seem to put to rest the idea that he was on put on ketamine for depression. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9113 "2024-03-01T13:03:42Z")
Not necessarily. He doesn’t say it was _officially prescribed by an actual physician._ He could have diagnosed himself and chosen his treatment accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9114 "2024-03-01T19:31:22Z")
Same here. I get one or two new “followers” almost every day to my obscure account. Occasionally one is a legit person, but almost all of them are babe-bots. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9115 "2024-03-01T19:58:55Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Who doesn’t want to pull 3 gs on the way to the grocery store Well, to be fair, lots of people do. It’s not a good idea, but show me where fast cars _haven’t_ been popular. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9116 "2024-03-01T21:04:37Z")
Maybe Musk has a point about how it is sometimes wrong to put profits ahead of philosophy. _This could even explain many of his decisions regarding X!_. (Free link NYT article below regarding Musk suing Altman and Open AI, where he served on the board until 2018). [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/01/technology/elon-musk-openai-sam-altman-lawsuit.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.ZU0.AldB.jW2NqQZnjMat&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/01/technology/elon-musk-openai-sam-altman-lawsuit.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZU0.AldB.jW2NqQZnjMat&smid=url-share) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9117 "2024-03-01T23:52:24Z")
That judge’s comment reminds me of the old joke about using _fantastic_, but in the judge’s case (hehehe), he’s using _remarkable_ instead of _fantastic_. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9118 "2024-03-02T14:05:32Z")
As a habitual ad blocker on Xitter, I’m now getting pitched for a premium subscription that will give me an ad-free service. I think lots of users block ads out of pure spite. They have seemed to stop selling ads using multiple users - forcing you to block the same ad repeatedly - but I ain’t stoppin’ till I get banned permanently. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2024, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9119 "2024-03-02T14:40:07Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > If he’s never been to therapy, then that would seem to put to rest the idea that he was on put on ketamine for depression. No, because PCPs can and do prescribe all kinds of mood-altering drugs including anti-depressants. In fact, ironically, some therapists, like clinical psychologists, don’t have prescribing rights. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9120 "2024-03-02T14:45:51Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Same here. I get one or two new “followers” almost every day to my obscure account. Occasionally one is a legit person, but almost all of them are babe-bots. Where are these bots coming from and what benefit do they bring anyone? Have never been a Xitter user but I’m genuinely curious. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9121 "2024-03-02T15:11:10Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > but almost all of them are babe-bots. > [@wolfpup](#): > > what benefit do they bring anyone? Hope, for incels. I do not get a lot, but when one contacts me, they learn very quickly the depths of depravity to which I can sink. When you can disgust a spammer until they stop spamming, that is a win. Recreating tubgirl, goatse, et al requests feature (obviously NSFW, don’t google unless you know what I am talking about) I don’t get much spam. I think many Nigerians have emotional damage due to my replies. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9122 "2024-03-02T17:07:03Z")
Unfortunately, John Oliver took some of the fun out of trolling spammers last week. Turns out that not all of them are doing it voluntarily. He gets to the part about trolling spammers at 14:41 in the video. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/pLPpl2ISKTg/maxresdefault.jpg "Pig Butchering Scams: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLPpl2ISKTg) ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2024, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9123 "2024-03-03T01:06:39Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > My number of Xitter followers had bumped around in the low 30s for years. This year it’s going up and up and up. They’re not even trying to hide the botness now; my most recent two “followers” are “Robbie Albang” and “Sloane Cessna”. ---
**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:** [March 3, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9124 "2024-03-03T01:18:29Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > what benefit do they bring anyone? > > Hope, for incels. > > I do not get a lot, but when one contacts me, they learn very quickly the depths of depravity to which I can sink. When you can disgust a spammer until they stop spamming, that is a win. So the purpose of the bots is to try to establish a relationship as a “follower” and then scam the victim? Is that all that this is about? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442/9125 "2024-03-03T01:46:04Z")
Or maybe the bots are a way to boost the supposed numbers of Xitter users, to try to contradict public perceptions of the site being in danger of users departing? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442.md?page=455) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-elon-musk-has-bought-twitter-now-the-pit-edition-part-1/963442.md?page=457)