Kevin Quirk argues against using Twitter threads for substantive content, advocating for blog posts instead. He points out Twitter's ephemeral nature, poor searchability, lack of control over formatting and content presentation, and the difficulty of revising or updating information. A blog, in contrast, offers permanence, improved discoverability through search engines, greater control over formatting and multimedia inclusion, and the ability to easily edit and update. This creates a superior reading experience and allows creators to build a lasting, searchable body of work that they own and control, unlike content trapped within the walled garden of a social media platform.
In his 2021 blog post entitled "Forget Twitter threads and write a blog post instead," Kevin Quirk articulates a compelling argument for the superiority of blog posts over Twitter threads as a medium for sharing complex or nuanced thoughts. He begins by acknowledging the initial appeal of Twitter threads—their ease of creation and the potential for virality they offer due to Twitter's inherent structure. He concedes that crafting a quick thread can seem less daunting than composing a full blog post. However, Quirk posits that this perceived convenience comes at a significant cost, ultimately diminishing the quality and impact of the shared information.
He elaborates on several key drawbacks inherent in the threaded format. Firstly, the ephemeral nature of Twitter and its algorithm means that threads are often fleeting, easily lost in the constant stream of new content, unlike blog posts which can be indexed by search engines and remain accessible indefinitely. Secondly, he argues that the character limitations imposed by Twitter necessitate an oversimplification of ideas, hindering the development of comprehensive arguments and fostering a culture of superficiality. This brevity, while sometimes advantageous for quick updates, proves inadequate for exploring multifaceted concepts.
Furthermore, Quirk emphasizes the disjointed nature of Twitter threads, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining a coherent narrative across multiple tweets. The reader's experience is fragmented, requiring constant clicks and scrolling, which disrupts the flow of information and can lead to a loss of engagement. In contrast, a blog post offers a unified and easily navigable platform for presenting a complete and well-structured argument.
Quirk then underscores the benefits of blogging, emphasizing the ownership and control it provides over content. Unlike Twitter, where content is subject to the platform's whims and algorithms, a blog allows the author to curate their work and present it in a deliberate manner, fostering a more professional and polished image. This control extends to formatting, allowing for the incorporation of multimedia elements like images, videos, and code snippets, enriching the content and enhancing the reader's understanding.
Moreover, Quirk points out the potential for building a long-term audience through blogging. By consistently producing high-quality content on a personal platform, authors can cultivate a dedicated readership interested in their specific niche or expertise. This sustained engagement, he argues, is more valuable than the transient virality often sought on Twitter.
Finally, he concludes by encouraging a shift in mindset, advocating for treating blog posts as the primary medium for sharing in-depth thoughts, with Twitter threads serving only as supplementary teasers or summaries to drive traffic to the more substantial blog content. In essence, Quirk proposes a paradigm shift, prioritizing the long-term benefits of blogging over the fleeting allure of Twitter threads.
Summary of Comments ( 96 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43277924
Hacker News users generally agree with the author's premise that blog posts are superior to Twitter threads for conveying complex ideas. Several commenters point out the ephemeral nature of Twitter content and the difficulty of searching or referencing it later. The improved formatting, editing capabilities, and permanence of blogs are highlighted as key advantages. Some users mention the benefit of owning your content on a personal platform rather than relying on a third-party service. A few dissenting opinions suggest Twitter threads can be effective for quick thoughts and reaching a wider audience, but acknowledge blogs are better for in-depth analysis. The lack of comments/likes on personal blogs is mentioned as a potential drawback, though others counter that this allows for more focused writing without the pressure of social media engagement.
The Hacker News post linking Kevin Quirk's blog post, "Forget Twitter threads and write a blog post instead," generated a fair number of comments, most agreeing with the premise.
Many commenters echoed the sentiment that Twitter threads are a suboptimal format for conveying complex or nuanced information. They cited issues such as the character limit, difficulty in editing, lack of searchability, and the ephemeral nature of tweets getting lost in the fast-paced feed. Several pointed out the benefits of blog posts, including better formatting options, permanence, ownership of content, and the ability to build a personal archive.
One commenter highlighted the inherent transience of Twitter, stating that relying on a platform you don't control for important content is a risky proposition. This concern about platform dependence and potential loss of content resonated with other users. Another user emphasized the improved reading experience of a well-structured blog post compared to a disjointed Twitter thread, particularly for longer-form content.
A few commenters offered counterpoints or nuanced perspectives. One argued that Twitter threads offer a unique advantage in facilitating quick, real-time discussions and engaging directly with an audience, suggesting that the two formats serve different purposes. Another acknowledged the benefits of blogging but pointed to the network effect and broader reach afforded by Twitter. They suggested using Twitter threads to attract attention and then linking to a more detailed blog post for those who want to delve deeper. This cross-posting strategy was mentioned by others as a way to leverage the strengths of both platforms.
Some commenters offered practical tips, like using a service to convert Twitter threads into blog posts, further demonstrating a preference for the blog format. Another commenter emphasized the professional benefits of maintaining a blog, suggesting it helps build credibility and showcases expertise in a way that a scattered collection of tweets cannot.
Overall, the comments largely supported Quirk's argument, praising the benefits of blog posts for their permanence, structure, and ownership. While some acknowledged the specific advantages of Twitter for quick dissemination and engagement, the prevailing sentiment was that blog posts provide a superior platform for sharing in-depth thoughts and building a lasting body of work.