Tell me a story about how Twitter actually makes a difference in your life.

I’ll go first. /1

I joined Twitter about a year and a half ago, and in that time I’ve managed to collect a measly 135 followers. This is a place where size matters, so it feels pretty pointless and lonely for a small fry. /2

That hasn’t stopped me from actively engaging in the sphere. I comment on posts and share my thoughts frequently, despite obsessively checking my analytics only to discover a reach of 2 or 3 people most of the time. /3

In the Twitterverse, the need to be accepted and an atmosphere of judgement collide to create an incredibly negative space. I log on in one mood, and I log off feeling defeated and deflated. So why am I still here? /4

After the pandemic started, one of my followers spoke openly about the difficult situation she and her family found themselves in. She works hard, she cares for her family, and the situation is literally breaking her. /5

She called out for help to everyone, including people like @StarrJefree and @pulte, but getting help on Twitter is like winning the lottery. It doesn’t matter how worthy you are of help. You have to be worth something here to even be seen. /6

I tried retweeting her calls for help to increase awareness. I’m not a millionaire, but I wanted desperately to help. Those retweets had the same viewership as any other post of mine -- 2 or 3 people saw them. They effected no change. /7

So because no one else was going to help her, and because I was genuinely concerned for her life, I decided to start giving her whatever money I had to give. It’s not much - maybe it will cover some basic necessities. It’s not nearly enough, but it’s all I can give. /8

And she is incredibly thankful. And I can tell it makes a difference. And even though it’s not enough, and I know she will continue to struggle, it feeds an emotional need that far outweighs any need for followers. /9

Twitter brought us together. This place that makes me feel so negative about the state of humanity but also has the power to change lives, to make real connections, to make a difference. /10

Of course I wish I had 10,000 followers and a single retweet of mine had the power to right the wrongs of the world. But it’s stupid to hold that as a goal. I would just be contributing to the goodness-by-lottery situation that has unfolded in this Wild West scenario. /11

I am far more content to have connected with this one person on Twitter than I ever would be if I had a million followers and connected with no one. I log into Twitter for her. All the rest is just white noise. /12

I want to hear more stories like this today. /END

I couldn’t resist posting the irony of this thread.