It’s a classic case of the haves versus the have-nots: as more and more Twitter users struggle to make ends meet, they’re turning their anger and frustration towards those who can afford to pay for Twitter Blue’s coveted blue tick. And according to economists, the situation is only getting worse.
“Many of these Twitter users are facing financial troubles and feeling left behind by society,” says economist Dr. Jane Smith. “They see these people with blue ticks and think, ‘Why can’t that be me?’ It’s a dangerous cycle of envy and resentment.”
The Twitter Blue program, which offers premium features for a monthly fee, has become a symbol of status and privilege among the Twitterati. Users who pay for the service are given access to exclusive features such as prioritized placement in Tweet threads and the ability to undo tweets, as well as the coveted blue tick that denotes verified accounts.
But for many Twitter users who can’t afford the monthly fee, the sight of others flaunting their blue ticks is too much to bear. They’ve taken to Twitter to express their frustration, with some going so far as to attack and harass those with blue ticks.
“It’s just not fair,” says Twitter user @brokeandangry. “These people with blue ticks think they’re better than us, just because they can afford to pay for Twitter Blue. Well, I’m not gonna take it lying down.”
Others have criticized the Twitter Blue program itself, saying that it’s just another example of the rich getting richer while the poor are left behind.
“It’s a sad state of affairs when people feel like they have to pay for a blue tick just to be heard on Twitter,” says Dr. Smith. “But unfortunately, it’s a sign of the times. We’re living in a world where wealth and status are more important than ever, even on social media.“
While the Twitter Blue program may have seemed like a harmless way to offer premium features to users, it’s now become a lightning rod for class tensions and resentment. As the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to widen, it’s unclear how much longer Twitter’s blue ticks will be able to maintain their privileged status.
