A Drive-By Review of Threads
By Drive-by because I can’t join Threads. Why, you may ask. The only way to join Threads is through Instagram, and I’ve never had an account and don’t see why I should start now.
Additionally, I do most of my computer interactions on my desktop. The desktop version of Threads is simply what you see above, a slowly rotating galaxy of spots across the spectrum of red, with a QR code at bottom right. Presumably the QR code takes you, via your mobile, to where you can sign in ONLY with your Instagram account.
I loaded the mobile version long enough to see that I couldn’t sign in, and then removed it. If you signed in through Instagram, you can remove Threads only by removing your Instagram account too, sucka.
Threads is, of course, a creation of Meta, the folks who thought we all wanted to interact via cartoon characters with no legs. More sinisterly, they intend to scoop up all your data and sell it. They are quite explicit about this, which is why Threads will not be available in the European Union. Another reason it is useless to me.
Reportedly, there is only one feed, which may or may not contain your follows and other accounts that the algorithm thinks you should see. In non-chronological order. A feature from Facebook that we know, made even better by insertion of random strangers.
The screenshots I have seen of the feed range from a hot mess to more bigoted than I ever imagined. Libs of TikTok are there to spread their anti-trans venom. The moderation, however, will not allow you to post videos of the Ukraine war.
Matt Tait put it well on Bluesky:
And, of course, we nuke nerds don’t need a continuing reminder of the most realistic and horrific nuclear apocalypse movie of all time.
I’ve wondered if any of these companies ever do any market testing at all.
Cross-posted to Nuclear Diner