Among the things Elon Musk is doing to Twitter, he appears to have changed the logo to, yes, “X”! The NYT explains:
Elon Musk has made one of the most visible changes to Twitter since he took control of the social media company last fall: replacing its widely recognized bird logo.
In a tweet early Sunday morning Eastern time, Mr. Musk said that “soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds.” About 24 hours later, a stylized, black-and-white X appeared on the company’s website in place of the blue bird logo.
Twitter’s corporate accounts also adopted the new branding, which was projected onto the side of the company’s headquarters in San Francisco overnight. “Lights. Camera. X!” Linda Yaccarino, Twitter’s chief executive, posted on the site, accompanying a photo of the building.
“X” is a term for what Mr. Musk has described as an “everything app” that could combine social media, instant messaging and payment services, akin to the popular Chinese app WeChat.
Mr. Musk has said that buying Twitter is “an accelerant to creating X,” and the corporate entity he created to purchase and control Twitter is called X Holdings.
Mr. Musk spoke on a Twitter audio livestream early Sunday to say he was changing Twitter’s logo. “It should have been done a long time ago,” he said. “Sorry it took so long.”
A few hours later, Mr. Musk said in an email to Twitter’s employees that “we are indeed changing to X.”
“This is my last message from aa Twitter email,” he wrote, before signing off with a salute emoji.
. . . . Mr. Musk has had a long affinity for the letter X. In 1999, he co-founded X.com, an online bank, and later merged it with another start-up to create PayPal. In 2017, he said that he repurchased the X.com domain from PayPal.
And soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023
Like this but X pic.twitter.com/PRLMMA2lYl
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023
This makes no sense to me, although I’m not a businessman. It’s like naming Coca Cola the “X Drink”. And, sure enough, all my birdies have been replaced by Xs:
From Chrome:
From my Twitter feed (arrow is mine). There used to be a bird!
This is bad. No more birds, and we can’t even say “Twitter”: we’ll have to say “X”. Nor can we “tweet.” What do we do instead, “emit Xs”?
Unlike many, I don’t hate Musk. He seems a bit cold, and is also arrogant and imperious, as well as rich (which some people cannot stand), but he’s clearly made great innovations like SpaceX and Tesla. After watching a video of him talking to Bill Maher, below, I like him a bit more. I watch his machinations with interest, but I can’t work up any strong dislike for him.
Here’s his 21-minute appearance on “Real Time.” Maher is a bit of a sycophant when encountering the world’s richest man, but I don’t see any real humanity in Musk. Maybe he’s been subject to too much sycophancy. He laughs quite a bit, showing the “sense of humor” that Maher praises, but even Musk’s laughter creeps me out a bit.
I do like Musk’s stands on free speech and the “woke mind virus,” which you can hear starting at 5:20.
In general, I think the world is a better place because of Musk, though there are those who say that his immense wealth (over 200 billion dollars!) must have come from exploiting people. I don’t agree: he creates what people want to pay for.
Tesla models :
S E X Y
… jus’ sayin’.
I saw that clip too – not sure what to say about it, but clearly in the camp that knows something doesn’t add up but doesn’t think reading Judith Butler, Robin DiAngelo, or Karl Marx is really necessary – as in, really? All of that impenetrable, dismal, cynical theology?
All his Xs live in Texas? Not really.
Just saw a Model 3 and realized my error :
S 3 X Y
Yeah, I don’t really get it. I mean I get the marketing BS; I live with that. One of the most dangerous things a company can do, though, is to change its name or the name of its principal product. And “X” isn’t very imaginative. I am not even sure it can be trademarked. At the same time the URL still says “twitter”, although if you put “x.com” in your browser, it does redirect to twitter. Finally, I saw a tweet where someone asked what tweets were supposed to be called now, and Musk said “X’s”, which put me in mind of Elle King’s song “Ex’s & Oh’s”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uLI6BnVh6w
Rebranding gives something for 20-something MBAs to do. Back in the 90’s they re-engineered companies willy-nilly. I think they ruined the company I was in. I knew others in other companies that felt the same way. It felt less like a collective human enterprise. In any case, rebranding HBO to MAX is a similar misfire. A name that built a great reputation over decades just thrown away, for what? MAX. Maximus? To the Max?
Musk is brilliant, but for those that don’t accept free will there is no reason to admire him (or denigrate him.) I admire him in ways, but find him a bit socially dysfunctional. He has said he’s on the autism spectrum and that makes sense to me. That also helps me dismiss his statements on social issues, like only those with children should get to vote. He has like, what, 6 kids? Umm, I think we at least take the vote away after 4 kids.
I have Starlink and it works well. An order of magnitude better than satellite, and better than the ATT hot spot I had (which said it was 5G but wasn’t that fast). That and being in an Amazon delivery area makes living out in the boonies much better.
I am not a Maher fan. Can’t put my finger on it or justify it. A bit too self satisfied? I don’t know.
He’s not brilliant. The people who work for him are often brilliant but he is basically a grifter. A brilliant man would not have destroyed Twitter in this way. A brilliant man would not have set a buy price for Twitter shares at $54.20 just because 420 is some meme value that he thinks is funny. No, that is the action of a man-child.
I’m glad Starlink works for you and it’s technically quite innovative although I’m not happy about the idea of filling certain Earth orbits with thousands of satellites just so people can play Diablo IV without lag. There’s also the question about whether Starlink is financially viable. The jury is still out on that one.
Don’t have anything to do with twitter so I can’t say much about it. I understand it is worth about half of what he paid for it so the money part may not be doing so well. The space business is probably his best thing. Privatizing the space business. Getting into the EV business early is making lots of money but will have to see how that goes. The cars are very expensive so I would not be buying. I cannot justify paying that much for any car. I drive very few miles. But the Tesla cars have their problems, such as poor service, in many areas almost no service. The tires wear out much faster. Whether they are better for the environment is debatable.
Sometimes I think they both apply woke to things that may not apply. Example used in the video was thinking G. Washington was a poor president because he had slaves. I suppose that could be a woke thought but it could just be stupid.
I think he’s trying to create a new brand so as to underscore a new direction. Yes, he has already moved Twitter in a new direction, but with X he’s indicating that he is broadening his software portfolio. Basically, he changed the name for the reason he said he did.
“tweets” should be replaced by “eliminate Xs” or maybe “Xicate”
Xcreta?
+5
Someone suggested “x-poundings”
That’s a good one, Larry!
Xpostulations ?
Xclamations ?
Xcrement !
Another analogy would be: you’re running a successful soda business under the name Coca-Cola but you want to expand to run a nationwide grocery store chain that’ll sell groceries and offer pharmacy services. Do you call the supermarket chain “Coca-Cola” or do you call it (say) “Publix”?
Except, in this example, you’ve changed the name of the soda to something ridiculous that nobody likes. Marketing Genius!!!
“Nobody likes” is a big claim. Publix is the dominant supermarket chain in my area and it’s well patronized.
Their revenue is strong at around $15 billion a quarter so I’d question “ridiculous” as a claim as well.
What I like about it; very personable, my first visit I was wandering around and the manager came over and introduced himself. They were one of the first outlets for the Covid vaccine in early 2021 and did a great job rolling it out. They’re hiring my neighbor’s autistic son to pack groceries and he’s loving his time there. Actually the staff seem generally really happy to be there. Food quality is good. I generally find it better than Fred Meyers which is the Oregon Kroger brand.
Call the supermarket chain whatever you like, but don’t change the name of the famous soft drink!
Fair enough. I’m fond of Coca Cola – name and the beverage – myself. But Twitter has become somewhat tarnished over the last couple of years. Perhaps there is some sense to moving away from that legacy.
You X-crete.
Your tweets are X-cretions and threads are X-crement.
The reason Musk has done this is because he is an utterly stupid man-child. Twitter’s branding was pretty much all it had going for it and now he’s throwing it away.
Sorry, but this just is not true. Tesla was not his idea: he bought into it and then ousted the two people whose idea it actually was.
SpaceX seems to have been quite successful, but as it is a private company we can’t really be sure. It seems to have made reusable space rockets a viable commercial proposition but we haven’t seen the figures, so we don’t know and it sure sure does need a lot of external funding for a company that is allegedly profitable. Even if SpaceX really is as successful as it seems, the innovation was done by Tom Mueller and others.
Not to mention that Starship is an utter fiasco so far.
Musk’s other ventures include
– Hyperloop which was a hoax designed to sabotage the California High Speed Rail project
– The Boring Company which promised a new urban transport paradigm but delivered taxis in a tunnel
– Neuralink which is a company dedicated to torturing primates – hopefully not including humans.
– Solar City which was a hoax designed to enrich Musk and his brother at the expense of Tesla shareholders.
Musk is a blight on society and the sooner he f***s off to Mars, the better for humanity. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like SpaceX is going to be ready to send anything to Mars for years, even though Musk said they would be sending humans there in 2023.
We might X-ude (exude) or X-pel or X-patiate.
Of course, I always thought twitter should be called Blurt.
I’m not a twitter user but, as I understand it, the tone of the discourse doesn’t generally allow for much expiation!
LOL
eXcommunicate
Xellent.
LOL! Thanks, I needed that. 🙂
AIUI, they certainly intend to move onto humans as soon as possible (not necessarily delayed by actually having the technology ready – typical Musk course). Since this will require external “ethical”oversight, and a need to provide evidence that their treatments produce benefits for the treated people, I infer that their first several rounds of human experimentation will take place in a country that has weaker (meaning “bribable”, and “stays brought”) medical authorities. They (Musk.Corp) will also go absolutely ballistic (in a PR sense, not a rocketry sense) when details of this leak to the western press. I’d say that several African countries are high in the pecking order (sorry-not-sorry, Elon ; un-X-able bird reference there), but also very plausibly Russia, Belarus, or several of the central Asian “Stans”, particularly because there’s a significant language barrier between most of the “western” press and the people involved. For the same reason, they’d likely not touch any of the Latin American countries.
Cynical? Moi? But of course.
Amen. I should add that he didn’t invent PayPal either – his company merged with another company that actually had a working payment system, he got ousted from the company when he insisted they call it x.com (which was recognized as a bad idea even then), but he kept his shares and earned a ton of money when they successfully launched the product under the name PayPal.
His MO is to buy himself into promising companies or hire competent people, demand/ promise impossible things, and take credit for whatever his hired geniuses come up with.
Good summation. He’s more lucky than smart.
X-twitter is a disaster. He’s fired 3/4 of the staff, which was probably the most capable of them.
Also, apparently Microsoft already has a patent for X. Among those let go were the lawyers, probably.
https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-microsoft-x-trademark
X-terminate!
And solar roof tiles, and this and that. The ease and surety which he plugs himself and his products, none of which meet his promised targets indicates a very casual relationship to the truth.
He is more the self-promoter than an actual inovator.
Solar City *was* the solar roof tiles business. It was going bankrupt so he did a demo of the roof tiles on the set of Desperate Housewives without mentioning that the tiles he was showing off were merely non functional mock-ups. Then he persuaded Tesla to buy the company in order to bail out the share holders including himself and his brother.
I forgot to mention Tesla Full Self Driving which has been “coming next year” since he announced it in 2016 and the Tesla robot that has evolved from man in a spandex suit to something twenty years behind the leading edge in about two years.
This is bad. No more birds, and we can’t even say “Twitter”: we’ll have to say “X”. Nor can we “tweet.” What do we do instead, “emit Xs”?
That is a very good point and weird that Elon wouldn’t address it. To “tweet” something not only served to immediately identify on which platform your comment would be appearing, it also was a constant brand identifier/re-enforcer.
Dunno what people are going to do with “X.” But I bet any likely suggestions are going to sound really dumb.
Why do you think it’s weird? Most rebranding exercises are the result of months of careful planning. This one seems to have been thought up by Musk on Sunday afternoon on the basis of “if we have a logo by tomorrow we’ll do it”.
Everything that has happened since April last year with Musk and Twitter doesn’t make any sense at all until you stop assuming that Musk is some kind of genius.
> Saying “if we have a logo by tomorrow we’ll do it” gives Elon too much credit.
Asked Google’s experimental Generative AI how much the designer paid to create the new logo. It said “The logo only cost Elon Musk $35.”
Looked up Elon’s “X” on SquirrelFont.com, a font identifier site. It’s “Universal Mathematical Pi Mathematical Pi 6” by Linotype, $29. Which is about what it’s worth.
Brilliant. So Musk overpaid.
I’m disappointed. Notorious denier of “western medicine” Bill Maher and Elon Musk (I got mine; screw you Jack — techno-utopia for me & my buddies) — who endorsed Trump and the Republican party — platform is science denial on a breath-taking, destructive scale — have a conversation and you expect us to spend time on that? Might get better intellectual and social content watching YouTube body cams of cops arresting drunk drivers.
So far as “woke mind virus” is concerned: (1) I’m reading David R. Samson’s book: Our Tribal Future — he deploys an extended metaphor of tribalism as a mind virus. I have some issues with that on account that virology is a broad and deep topic and use of the metaphor can be facile. But at least I expect that Samson has some respect for his biomedical colleagues and might respond to a discussion of the metaphor. (I haven’t finished the book.) One thing’s for sure, neither Maher nor Musk know shit from Shinola about viruses or virology, not do they give a rat’s ass. (2) I will remind you again: “woke” may be a term initially coined by well-intentioned people whose unclear thinking is cringeworthy, but it has been seized and appropriated on a much larger scale by some loathsome characters who have neither clear thinking nor sympathy for anyone but themselves & cronies. Do you, by your continued use of that term: woke — in a social and political context — do you really want to have a clear association with that crowd? (think — swastikas & Confederate flags) Again: seek a better term.
So far as watching online video, I recommend MicrobeTV and its contents. At least the content around virology has a basis in reality. TWiEVO is fun, too.
You sound as though you have intimate familiarity with those who deal in Confederate flags and swastikas. (I assume so, anyway, because you don’t strike me as a man who would spout off on something about which he knows neither shit nor Shinola.) So, please, tell me: what percentage of the US population clings to such symbols? Of the people who use “woke” in a derogatory manner, what proportion of them are neo-Nazis and white supremacists? What percentage of the US population associates the word “woke” with these groups to the point that it might taint others who use the word? I’m trying to get a grasp of this “much larger scale” that you speak of, something that might clarify my thinking.
Oh, one other thing, if I may impose. For those of us who are not virologists, are we allowed to say “computer virus”? I for one wouldn’t want to associate myself with those who appropriate words to use as metaphors. That contagion of association would repel my tribe, kinda like dropping a rat’s ass in the party punch bowl.
According to Wikipedia, Elon Musk supported Hillary and Biden (not Trump) in 2016 and 2020. Quote from “Views of Elon Musk”. “Within the context of American politics, Musk has said he supported George W. Bush in 2004, Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Joe Biden in 2020.”
What I’m waiting for is the trademark infringement suit from the X consortium. They’re in the computing systems and software market ; they’ve got prior art since 2004, and Musk’s obsession looks an awful lot like the X logo to me.
Since Apple’s windowing system is also based on X (windowing system), they might have standing to support the trademark suit. Low cost entertainment.
When the going gets tough, the tough change their labels.
But why change a label that is universally known? Why would “Coca Cola” (to use a product in this thread) change their name? Musk screwed Twitter, but he hasn’t destroyed it (yet). And there were no negative connotations to the name “Twitter” (afaik, I’m not on social media)…it even had it’s own verb, “tweet.” The dude seems to be nuts-o. Maybe he was trying to copy “Meta”…another stupid rename.
On Twitter/X “Massimo” posted an interesting history of the symbol “X”:
https://twitter.com/Rainmaker1973/status/1683408478625300480
• • •
X: the crossroads of meaning, math, mystery and magic
The letter X is one of the most enigmatic and versatile characters in the realm of language and symbolisms. Its origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where it has evolved and taken on various meanings across different cultures. From its humble beginnings to its pivotal role in mathematics, sciences, and beyond, the letter X has left an indelible mark on human history.
The origins of the letter are rooted in the earliest forms of writing systems. The ancient Egyptians, around 2000 BCE, were among the first to use a symbol resembling an X, depicting a crossing of two lines. This sign denoted a meeting point or intersection, serving a functional purpose in their numerical system [1]. Additionally, the Phoenicians, around 1200 BC, adopted this symbol and transformed it into their 22nd letter, “Samekh,” pronounced as “sin.”
With the Phoenician script spreading across the Mediterranean, the Greeks encountered this symbol and assimilated it into their alphabet as “Chi” (Χ). The Greeks eventually bestowed the symbol with the iconic name “Chi,” a nod to the Semitic origins of the letter. However, the sound value of Chi changed over time, leading to the modern “K” sound associated with the letter [2].
The Latin alphabet, derived from the Etruscan script, initially lacked a symbol for the “ch” sound found in Greek words like “Christos” (Χριστός) and “chērōn” (χηρόν). To represent this sound in Latin texts, scribes resorted to transliterating the Greek letter Chi (Χ) as “CH” or “C” [1]. However, this transliteration did not fully capture the unique phonetic quality of Chi.
With the spread of Christianity and the importance of religious texts, early Christian scribes faced the challenge of representing the Greek word for Christ, “Χριστός” (Christos), in Latin texts. To address this issue, they adopted the Greek Chi (Χ) as an abbreviation for “Christus” (Christ) [2]. As a result, Chi became closely associated with Christianity and took on a specific meaning within the context of Christian texts.
Over time, the transliteration of Chi as “CH” in Latin texts underwent a transformation. Scribes began to simplify the representation of the “ch” sound by using the letter X, which already existed in the Latin alphabet [3]. The use of X to represent the “ch” sound can be traced back to around the 3rd century AD [4]. This shift might have been influenced by the similarity of the shapes of Chi and X, with both letters resembling an “X” with a diagonal line crossing the center.
As Latin evolved, the use of X to represent the “ch” sound became more widespread and standardized. By the Middle Ages, the letter X had firmly established itself as the Latin representation of the Greek Chi [5].
The practice of using X to represent the “ch” sound persisted into modern times, becoming a standard in English and many other languages derived from Latin. Today, X is a common letter in the English alphabet, representing both the “ks” sound (as in “box” and “tax”) and, in some cases, the “z” sound (as in “xylophone”).
Beyond its linguistic use, the letter X has assumed significant cultural and symbolic importance in various civilizations. In ancient Rome, X represented the numeral 10 in the Roman numeral system, denoting completeness and perfection [3]. Furthermore, the Roman Empire’s adoption of Christianity brought new symbolism to X. The Greek letter Chi (Χ), associated with Christ, was often used to symbolize Jesus. The “Chi-Rho” symbol, formed by the superimposition of Chi and Rho (ΧΡ), became a prominent representation of Christianity [4].
In ancient Mayan civilization, the X symbol found its way into their hieroglyphic writing, representing various concepts, including change, motion, and celestial events [5]. The use of X in these cultures highlights its universal appeal and adaptability in conveying abstract concepts.
In the realm of mathematics, the letter X plays a pivotal role as a variable. Introduced by French mathematician François Viète in the 16th century, variables denoted by letters, including X, became crucial components of algebraic equations [6]. This revolutionary concept enabled mathematicians to generalize problem-solving methods and express complex relationships succinctly.
The letter X is commonly used to represent an unknown value or an independent variable in equations. By solving for X, mathematicians can uncover the missing information and understand the relationships between various elements within the problem domain [7]. The concept of variables represented by X laid the foundation for the development of algebra, calculus, and other branches of mathematics.
We must not forget that in the Cartesian coordinate system, x is used to refer to the horizontal axis. Most importantly, X is also for the multiplication sign.
Beyond mathematics, the letter X finds essential applications in various scientific disciplines. In physics, X-rays, discovered by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895, revolutionized the field of medical imaging and materials analysis [8]. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with high energy, capable of penetrating solid objects. Their ability to reveal internal structures made them invaluable in medical diagnosis, non-destructive testing, and probing the cosmos. He initially referred to these mysterious rays as “X” rays due to their unknown and enigmatic nature.
In genetics, X holds particular significance as a chromosome. Human females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males possess one X and one Y chromosome (XY). The X chromosome carries numerous genes responsible for various biological traits, making it a subject of intense study in genetics and developmental biology [9].
X is also an important symbol in chemistry, where it represents an unspecified element in chemical formulas and reactions. The “X” notation is often used to indicate a halogen or any other element that is yet to be identified or synthesized [10]. This convention facilitates communication among scientists and streamlines the representation of complex chemical reactions.
In linguistics, the letter X serves diverse functions. It can signify a specific phoneme, as in the English words “box” or “fix.” Moreover, the letter X is often employed to denote a cross or a mark, serving as a signature or endorsement in various contexts [11]. The phrase “X marks the spot” has become synonymous with treasure maps, guiding adventurers to hidden riches in literature and popular culture.
X has taken further symbolic importance in representing the unknown, uncertainty, and even danger. The “X factor” or the “X unknown” has become synonymous with mysterious or unpredictable elements that elude comprehension [12]. This symbolism has permeated into literature, cinema, and art, adding an air of intrigue and fascination to stories and narratives. “Mister X” is a character that has appeared in various works of fiction, often embodying the enigmatic qualities associated with the letter X. Mister X is a mysterious and secretive figure, operating in the shadows and leaving a trail of puzzles and unanswered questions in his wake.
One notable portrayal of Mister X comes from the comic book world. Created by writer and artist Dean Motter, “Mister X” first appeared in 1984 as a comic book series published by Vortex Comics. Set in the fictional Radiant City, Mister X is an enigmatic architect and planner who seeks to unravel the city’s mysteries and contradictions while facing various challenges and adversaries.
In espionage and spy fiction, the term “Mister X” is sometimes used to refer to an unidentified or mysterious agent, someone whose true identity remains concealed from even their own allies. This adds an element of intrigue and suspense to the narrative, as characters and readers alike wonder about the true motivations and loyalties of Mister X.
Another recognized tradition is using “X” to represent kisses and interestingly, one hypothesis about the origin of this use can be traced back to the Middle Ages when illiteracy was prevalent among common people. In legal documents, contracts, and other formal writings, individuals would often make an “X” mark as a signature when they could not write their names. The “X” served as a simple yet recognizable symbol of their intent or consent.
Over time, the “X” mark came to represent a more affectionate gesture in personal letters and messages. Rather than using a simple “X” mark as a signature, people began adding multiple “X” symbols at the end of their letters to convey hugs and kisses . The “X” evolved from a practical symbol into a symbol of love and endearment.
The use of “X” to symbolize kisses has become widespread and transcends language barriers. It is used in various cultures and is particularly common in English-speaking countries. For instance, in English, the phrase “XOXO” is often used to signify “hugs and kisses,” with the “O” representing hugs and the “X” representing kisses.
The tradition of using “X” to denote kisses has carried over into the digital age. With the rise of email, texting, and social media, the “X” has become a widely recognized shorthand for expressing affection in written communication. Adding an “X” at the end of a message has become a friendly and affectionate way to close a conversation.
From its origins in ancient writing systems to its modern-day applications, X has left an indelible mark on human history and language. What will be the next steps?
___________
References:
[1] Gardiner, A. (1957). Egyptian Grammar: Being an Introduction to the Study of Hieroglyphs. Griffith Institute.
[2] Jeffery, L. H. (1961). The Local Scripts of Archaic Greece: A Study of the Origin of the Greek Alphabet and Its Development from the Eighth to the Fifth Centuries B.C. Clarendon Press.
[3] Taylor, L. R. (2003). Roman Numerals. The Mathematics Teacher, 96(4), 244-251.
[4] Wilson, S. G. (2010). Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings. DK.
[5] Miller, M. E. (1999). Maya Art and Architecture. Thames & Hudson.
[6] Victor J. Katz (1998). A History of Mathematics: An Introduction. Addison Wesley.
[7] Struik, D. J. (1987). A Concise History of Mathematics. Dover Publications.
[8] Röntgen, W. C. (1895). On a New Kind of Rays. Science, 3(59), 227-231.
[9] Sankaranarayanan, K. (2015). X Chromosome: From Development to Disease. Springer International Publishing.
[10] McMurry, J., & Fay, R. C. (2015). Chemistry (7th ed.). Pearson.
[11] Crystal, D. (2008). A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics. Wiley-Blackwell.
[12] Olsen, M. (2015). The Little Book of Secret Code Puzzles. Dover Publications.
Image
I commented on the aforementioned history with a quote from the posting:
https://twitter.com/Jon_Alexandr/status/1683559950872875008?s=20
“Set in the fictional Radiant City, Mister X is an enigmatic architect and planner who seeks to unravel the city’s mysteries and contradictions while facing various challenges and adversaries.”
Reminds me of “The City and the Stars” (1956), which includes a mysterious architect.
“X” marks the spot. Though I don’t understand what your point is…Twitter changing to “X” is good, because of the arcane history of the letter that no one knows about?
The history of the symbol is interesting — at least to me, and quite possibly to other people, especially here. So many people on the internet have been expressing dislike of the symbol itself that I thought — maybe — a little background might bring some nuance to the discussion. Whether or not the logo & name change for Twitter is good is another discussion. I remain on Twitter/X for now. Musk has been very good for engineering things like electric cars and rockets. I’m less sanguine about his foray into social media. His self-described affliction — if you will — with Asperger’s syndrome might be an “Achilles heel” in that area. Time will tell.
I should also note that I think Musk’s political orientation seems to veer libertarian-to-fascist, depending on his mood — at least from what I’ve seen most recently, including because of the people he supports (DeSantis) or attacks (Pelosi). That’s not my political orientation.
Musk endorsed / supported / voted for Obama and Biden. I guess they must be libertarian-to-fascist. So good to know.
I’m looking at his choices now. Just so you know.
Twitter allows (encourages?) extreme left attacks on liberal/left journalists. See “Why So Many People Told Me To Kill Myself This Weekend – I’m fine, but it was very unpleasant!” (https://jessesingal.substack.com/p/why-so-many-people-told-me-to-kill). Like it or not, Twitter (under E. Musk) remains a left-wing playground. Just so you know.
X is sometimes prounounced sort of like “sh”, so maybe tweets will become Xits. 🙂
Some years ago he was the guest host on Saturday Night Live, which was one of their stranger episodes. He mentioned at the opening monologue that he had Aspergers’, but that he had gotten “pretty good at running human in emulation mode”. To me, that explains a lot.
@garius did an informative TwitX thread the other day on the background to Musk’s “X” obsession. Seems it’s been going on for a long time:
https://twitter.com/garius/status/1683808576328937472
I completely forgot :
X server – the Linux graphics server, now X.org. Used to be X11.
Anyway – the logo sort of looks like the X11 logo a bit.