The favorite social media of the media.
Where do gardeners go to chat online?
The landscape of social media has changed significantly in recent years. Since Elon Musk transformed Twitter into X, many users have opted to explore new platforms like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon, or even return to Facebook and Instagram. With this in mind, several team members were asked about their current social media preferences.
According to Jay Peters, news editor, there is no longer a platform that matches what Twitter used to offer. He mainly uses microblogging networks and navigates between various apps due to his work, although he adds that none have managed to establish themselves as a single central place. While he considers that X has worsened, he continues to use it to follow updates from Elon Musk and some companies. He also mentions that Threads has many former X users, but he dislikes the emphasis placed on the "For You" feed. In his opinion, Bluesky is the microblogging app he enjoys the most, although not enough people he knows participate there.
Allison Johnson, reviewer, highlights that the best social space is the travel reports section of the Washington Trails Association app. This place has become a valuable resource for finding hiking routes in the state, with recent reports providing useful and friendly information. The atmosphere is positive, and users should be willing to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
Barbara Krasnoff, reviews editor, shares that she is on several social networks but feels caught in a cycle for not having found the ideal one. While she uses Facebook to stay in touch with friends and family, she is drawn to Threads, although she must avoid getting lost in TikTok. Her preference for spaces free from attacks and threats makes her more conservative about what she shares publicly.
Kate Cox, senior producer, expresses her nostalgia for old Twitter and other past platforms like LiveJournal and AOL. She now feels more comfortable interacting in more private spaces, like Discord, where she communicates with friends and family in small groups.
Emma Roth, news writer, agrees that Facebook has been useful for staying informed about her local community since moving to a new state. She continues to use X for quick updates but is also trying to incorporate Threads and Bluesky into her daily life.
Adi Robertson, technology and politics editor, has settled on Bluesky after trying out Mastodon and acknowledges the diversity of microblogging platforms. She also praises Tumblr, which has transformed into a unique space for cultural creation.
Finally, Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, smart home reviewer, also laments the disappearance of Twitter, although she continues to use X. Despite her efforts to find a viable alternative, no other platform has captivated her interest in the same way. She has started spending more time on Discord, where she has found worthwhile communities.
Sean Hollister, senior editor, has almost completely stepped away from social media after the collapse of Twitter, but he has returned to Threads to share videos about gadgets, appreciating its features that allow for easy and direct navigation.
