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The biggest thing I miss (besides the few acquaintances I met and interacted with) was the opportunity to interact with authors' articles and posts. It seems authors generally don't reply back on blogs anymore, but the chance for having a conversation about my work or someone else's work was easier on Twitter, and I loved that aspect- because that's the fun in writing too- opening up a conversation.

And as a side, have you read Alan Noble's You are Not Your Own yet? I just finished and it has much to coincide with your wheelhouse.

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Mar 8, 2022Liked by Samuel D. James

I think this is one of the best decisions you could have made. After following your writing for years and seeing your conclusions about the web and social media, it only makes sense that you make leave Twitter. If you really believe the things you've written, then this choice would be consistent with your values. I have been off all social media for over 6 years now and it is absolutely wonderful. I will never, ever go back.

And I do hope you can find some community through this, but even more so through your church and the folks around you. I am not sure what community looks like in a newsletter, but I am sure myself and all your readers are happy to engage with you in meaningful discussion here.

Keep writing your amazing, thoughtful content. It is always a breath of fresh air and good insight for this reader.

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Mar 8, 2022Liked by Samuel D. James

Glad I found you on the bird app. Can’t remember why, but it was interesting and I sent it to a friend interested in God and truth send they really enjoyed it too

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Mar 8, 2022Liked by Samuel D. James

Good stuff here - everything you expressed and then some for why to step away. The personal element of your article, namely the addictive nature of the medium, is more than just anecdotal; I think it's a key part to self-awareness and thus progressive sanctification. Maybe through this article we can now serve as your accountability partners going forward :). Keep up the good work!

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Good for you. As a long-time (and heavy) Twitter user, the points you make are absolutely correct and unless you step back to see how it's deforming your heart and mind, it's like being a fish in water. I've taken breaks before, but it's just like a diet before going back to normal. I've used the list feature for years, so I see strictly the people on each list in chronological order and not the algorithm's mass of randomness. But everything you say still stands. I recently went through the books "10 Reasons For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now" and "Digital Minimalism" - combined with all the incredibly insightful writers and books from the Christian world surrounding technology and habit, there's just so much reason to consider virtue over utility in a serious way when it comes to these things. Twitter has had the biggest allure for me, as a words person. And heck, that's where my husband and I met and now have two kids together. I've met friends there! But I, too, have now been off it and don't know if I'm going back. My mind and heart feel more human and clear. Most writers I care about have a newsletter that allows for clarity and time to read. Your subtitle is absolutely correct and as with other things, I'm more seriously weighing the cultivation of virtue with the baseline utility of things we so often boil everything down to - even, sadly, as Christians.

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I believe you will be blessed from this decision. I just said a quick prayer for you that your peace & impact would be many times greater from this decision than any lost benefit twitter could have ever offered. Very good read.

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deletedMar 8, 2022Liked by Samuel D. James
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