Holden Armstrong 's review of Twitter Review
Date last edited: 11-22-2024 at 08:08PM
Rating: Not Rated
Review:
Title: X
Developer: Twitter Inc.
Genre. Social Networking
My rating: 4/5
Primary Audience: General Audience
Version: 10.61.1
Platform: iOS, Android, and Web Browser App
Cost: Free (Has In App Purchases)
Introduction
X is a free social media app that allows for videos, photos, articles, and texts to be posted. X is a great app for keeping up with news, sports, pop culture, and anything that is happening now. However, it does have it’s problems. X’s lack of censorship allows for some harmful content to be posted. Pornographic and violent content are the bulk of this issue. However, it’s also one of the best places to keep up with the times, and people you care about it. Within a few scrolls a person can get up to date on topics that are interesting to them. X has an algorithm that promotes content that a user may find interesting. This allows for a personalized experience that keeps the user engaged. X’s target audience is young and middle aged adults. The app has seen great success, and continues to be one the most popular social media apps on the internet. X is one of the most popular apps on the iPhone, and was recently bought by the famous Elon Musk who changed the name of the app from Twitter to X. It’s safe to say that X is one of the most influential apps on the internet.
The First Media Key: Balance
The first media key is related to the virtue of temperance. Temperance allows a person to accurately observe a topic. The virtue of temperance helps us to observe media, and take in all it’s messages and angles. This allows us to have a balanced and informed view. As Dr. Gan states,“It all starts with balance. Without balance, without a willingness to look at media from every possible angle, we can't possibly form right judgments. We run the risk of bias, narrow-mindedness, and ultimately, ignorance” (Gan, pg. 45). This quote explains this key very concisely. The internet is full of contradictions, false information, and differing viewpoints. We must be as aware and open minded as possible so we can discern properly.
Using X is a great way to learn about topics as they arise. If one is on the app regularly then you will receive videos, photos and media that are published mere minutes ago. Anyone can post to twitter. It’s not a news station where the same people are promoting stories. This creates a space where all different viewpoints are present. This allows viewers to take in these different stories from different outlets, and allows a person to have a balanced view of topics as they occur.
The Second Media Key: Attitude Awareness
Prudence is the virtue discussed in this key. This virtue helps us to be aware of things around us, and discern them accurately. This virtue is relevant as attitude awareness is all about observing agenda’s in media. As Dr Gan says, “It also enables us to be aware of media-makers' agendas, and less susceptible to the subtle yet real brainwashing that can take place when we fail to look at media with a critical eye” (Gan, pg. 64). Media oftentimes has an agenda in mind that it seeks to push on an audience. If we are aware of this goal then we can discern it, and be more free thinking.
X seeks to give the public easy access to information in all sectors of interest. Under Elon Musk’s control X uses less censorship, and allows for more free speech. This allows people to see the different viewpoints of current issues. However, X can only promote media. The app can’t tell you what to think. It’s up to the viewers to decide what to believe. One of the problems with the app is it will promote certain content based on a persons interest. This could lead to a person having a more narrow view as they don’t see as much content from the opposing side of an issue.
The Third Media Key: The Dignity of the Human Person
Justice is the virtue associated with the third media key. All humans are made in the image of God. Because of this truth humans deserve the utmost respect and dignity in all media. Justice is about giving someone what they are due, and humans are due their respect. Dr Gan states himself that, “Making man “more worthy of man”—that's the third media key. All media should reflect, uphold, and enhance human dignity” (Gan, pg. 83). This quote envelopes this key perfectly. Upholding the dignity of man is the main premise of this point. This holds especially true now as human degradation is very popular on social media. Because social media is more anonymous people are more hateful towards each other, and are not charitable like we are called to be.
X does not do a good job following this key. X has a very poor censorship policy, and allows many degrading videos to be posted on the app. Pornographic and violent content is very present on the app. Both these issues are extremely harmful to the human person, and gives the viewer a warped view of ourselves. Upholding our dignity is one of the most important staples of the Catholic Church. The Catechism states that, “the human person is 'the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake. ' From his conception, he is destined for eternal beatitude” (CCC 1703). We are destined for the greatest beauty, and that beauty is violated by these harmful videos and photos that X is allowing. In order for X to uphold our dignity it must ban this harmful content.
The Fourth Media Key: Truth Filled
The fourth media key is related to the virtue of fortitude. Fortitude allows us to push through obstacles to discover the truth. It is truth that this key is most concerned with. Dr Gan says on this topic that, “When we use media, when we enter online communities and virtual worlds, we mustn't leave the truth behind. In word and action, our use of media should be filled with truth”(Gan, pg. 105). God is truth. Truth is essential to our belief and our media should reflect this.
Unfortunately, there is plenty of Anti-God, and Anti-Catholic media on X. These are the problems with having an app where anyone can post content. However, there is also Christian, and Catholic media on X that promote Jesus Christ, and His teachings. There’s also consistent misinformation on X, and this is a major problem. Being truthful is one of the most basic Catholic values that help us to live with one another in harmony. The Catechism says, “men could not live with one another if there were not mutual confidence that they were being truthful to one another” (CCC 2469). We must set examples on these apps, and always be truthful with our statements and content. Despite this problem one can find many reliable sources on X that are truth filled. There’s good and there’s bad but that’s always the case with freedom of speech for all.
The Fifth Media Key: Inspiring
Hope is the virtue related to the fifth media key. Hope helps us to never despair. To always look to the good, and to God, no matter the situation life puts us in. It inspires us to look to heaven, and what we were made to be. This key means to inspire people to God, and to heaven itself. In the words of Dr Gan, “the Church tells us that the value of the media revolution hinges on the answer to one question: Is it helping us to be true to our “transcendent destiny”? In other words, is it helping us get to heaven?” (Gan, pg. 127). If the answer to this question is no, then we are not upholding this key.
Once again, X allows for many different sources of information. Because of our secular society many of these sources do not inspire us to God, or to heaven. X fails this key for the most part because of this reality. Despite this their are still plenty of sources on the app that do promote our Lord. One can find many Catholic priests and theologians on Twitter along with numerous believers, and followers of Christ.
The Sixth Media Key: Skillfully Developed
Faith is the virtue related to the sixth media key. The key tells us that we should create the best content we can. Dr Gan says on this topic that, “If they want to attract users, sell games, and basically keep their jobs, the media they create and market must be skillfully developed. It must conform to industry standards for what does and does not constitute well-made media” (Gan, pg. 148). If you want to capture an audience then you need your content to be on par with the competition. Just because we may be promoting a better message doesn’t mean that we should overlook the basics.
X is a well designed app that keeps it’s customers happy. The app almost never glitches or shuts down, and it’s algorithm works rather well to promote content that a specific viewer will enjoy. The app has a nice outlook with a format that looks clean and is visually pleasing. X is also multi dimensional. It isn’t just videos like YouTube, or pictures like Instagram. X allows for anything to be posted. A person can post a video, picture or just plain text to the app. This allows for variety and ease of access for people and content creators. The app is easy to navigate and easy to post content too. All around X is skillfully developed.
The Seventh Media Key: Motivated by and Relevant to Experience
Charity is the virtue that this key is associated with. This key has to do with the way in which we communicate. We should always communicate to our audience in a means that will be most affective to them. Our Lord is a perfect example of this key. As Dr Gan says,“But He also became man so that He could talk to us. He became man so He could better communicate with us. He became man because that was the only possible way He could really and truly get through to us” (Gan, pg. 170). Jesus knew that becoming man and being like us would help us to understand him.
X is a great way to learn about our world. Through news and different outlets the app helps us communicate with everyone around the world, and learn things that would never be possible without it. This communication is possible because of how well the app is designed. X is very easy to understand and navigate. The most common way to use X is to look at one’s media feed where all you have to do to view your content is scroll down. All the common features are very straightforward and easy to use. X allows a person to easily view content whether it be for a couple scrolls or a long search.
Conclusion
For young and middle aged adults X is a great platform to stay up to date with what’s happening. Through a well designed algorithm that promotes content interesting to the viewer X will keep an audience engaged. However, it’s shortcomings are apparent with it’s weak content regulation and censoring. While the apps lack for censorship can be dangerous X is still a great source for news and information. It keeps people up to date, and allows them to seek knowledge and differing mindsets. X is entertaining, well designed, and easy to navigate. The app can benefit a user in many ways, and will remain a staple of the internet for years to come.
Seven Keys:
Balanced:
Attitude:
Personal:
Truth-filled:
Inspired:
Skillfully Made:
Experienced:
Overall Rating: 7/35
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