The problem with tech Twitter

The Problem I Have with Tech Twitter

As a developer who's been in the industry for a while, I've noticed a concerning trend on tech Twitter that's been bothering me more and more. It's not just about the constant stream of new technologies or frameworks – it's about the way information is shared and the impact it has on the developer community.

The Hype Train Never Stops

The other day, I found myself justifiably using MongoDB in a project, and it made me reflect on how we got here. Remember when MongoDB was the hottest thing in tech Twitter? Everyone was singing its praises, urging developers to abandon their SQL databases for this NoSQL solution.

It was as if the entire dev community on Twitter collectively decided that relational databases were outdated overnight. But here's the thing: for many projects, this shift was like a family of five trading in their practical station wagon for a Porsche 911. Sure, the Porsche is sleek and fast, but good luck fitting your kids, the dog, and the groceries in it! (Though I have a friend who insists a 911 is a family car - to each their own, I suppose.)

The "Gurus" Problem

The longer I spend in the programming world and on tech Twitter, the more I realize that many of these self-proclaimed "programming gurus" are just jumping from one hype train to another. They're like tech magpies, always drawn to the next shiny object without considering its practical applications.

It's almost comical to watch them hop from one trendy technology to the next, proclaiming each as the ultimate solution to all of our coding woes. Their tweets often read like infomercials, promising revolutionary changes with each new tool or framework.

The Shifting Tides

But here's where it gets interesting: as the tech industry faces challenges, we're starting to see a shift on tech Twitter. These same gurus who once praised only the cutting-edge are beginning to endorse the "boring" technologies they previously shunned.

It's not just me noticing this trend. On Twitter, these hype-chasers are increasingly being called out as "tech bros." The community is becoming more aware of the hollow nature of their constantly shifting allegiances, and it's refreshing to see some pushback.

The Drama Cycle

Tech Twitter seems to thrive on drama and predictions of doom. Take the recent discussions about WordPress, for example. Many tweetstorms are prophesying the fall of WordPress, conveniently forgetting how they made similar predictions about GitHub's demise when Microsoft acquired it.

This cycle of hype and doom-saying isn't just annoying – it's potentially harmful to developers, especially those new to the field who might take these proclamations at face value.

Why This Matters

As developers, it's crucial to see past the hype that dominates tech Twitter and focus on what truly matters: choosing the right tool for the job. Sometimes, that might mean embracing a cutting-edge technology. Other times, it might mean sticking with a "boring" but reliable solution.

The problem with tech Twitter is that it often fails to provide this balanced perspective. Instead, it amplifies voices that are more interested in gaining followers than in providing nuanced, practical advice.

A Call for Change

So, what can we do about this? As consumers of tech content on Twitter, we need to be more critical of what we read. We should seek out voices that provide balanced, experience-based insights rather than just jumping on the latest trend.

For those of us creating content, let's strive to be more responsible. Let's talk about both the pros and cons of new technologies. Let's admit when we don't know something, and let's be open about the times we've been wrong.

The next time you see a tweet proclaiming the death of a popular platform or the rise of a new game-changing technology, take a step back. Remember the MongoDB craze, the GitHub acquisition panic, and all the other false alarms that have echoed through tech Twitter.

In the end, solid engineering principles and a clear understanding of your project's needs will serve you far better than chasing the latest trend championed by tech Twitter. Let's work towards a more thoughtful, nuanced discussion of technology – even if it doesn't fit neatly into 280 characters.