[0] You might claim that Twitter is superior to other forms of public debate, but then I'd ask if you're really happy with the way politics are going.
What's next? A well designed debate platform that allows only emojis? A well designed debate platform that allows only meme pictures?
I am saying that for millions of people Twitter is a unique way to join public debate. Personally, I have interacted with several public individuals who I couldn't conceive of contacting any other way. This is an example of two politics professors taking the time to explain something apparently well known in their circle to me:
https://twitter.com/Jimmytidey/status/757494127537905664
Where else would that happen?
If it does not suit you, fair enough. I find newspapers disinteresting, but I would prefer to live in a society that has them to one that does not. I would also prefer, as with Twitter, that their ownership structure was a little different (I'm in the UK).
I agree that Twitter has design flaws as a medium for public discussion, and I also believe that some of them could be alleviated if Twitter was run was by people with different incentives.
I myself am very happy with the character count, the truth is that the limiting factor is not how long a message you are permitted to write, but how long a message others will be inclined to read. I suspect Twitter is just being honest with us in this regard.
Certainly it is not the place to articulate a nuanced view. It is a place where you can find a unique audience.
https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/19/twitters-new-simpler-rules...
"SIMPLE".
Good systems for public debate are the precondition for democracy.
In a democracy they are the infrastructure on which all other infrastructure depends. Every subsequent spending decision is influenced by them.
If you turn off public debate nothing will break the next day, but in a decade most people's lives will be misery.