With rumors of an impending Twitter shutdown, internet users came together to reminisce about some of their favorite moments on the platform.
It all unfolded on Thursday evening, as reports began circulating that Twitter HQ had lost a staggering number of employees in a short amount of time due to an ultimatum delivered by its new CEO, Elon Musk.
Tweeters Panic Over The Future Of Twitter
As word of the situation at Twitter HQ continued to spread, users swiftly began reacting to the prospect of the platform potentially going under. Tweets with hashtags like #RIPTwitter, #GoodbyeTwitter, and #TwitterDown began spreading like wildfire.
Goodbye twitter, been a good run. #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/fkkUZWz2oQ
— Bish ? (@thebishundercov) November 18, 2022
Me looking back at my three followers one last time since Twitter about to shut down #RIPTwitter #TwitterDown
pic.twitter.com/1MITBwhlZB— JC (@JuanCafecito) November 18, 2022
It’s been a pleasure tweeting with y’all for the past 13 years. #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/XsLuMNi59A
— toby is the scranton strangler (@OhHELLNawl) November 18, 2022
Before Twitter goes does, the secret to getting bitches is….#RIPTwitter #GoodByeTwitter pic.twitter.com/wBCwrFwPk2
— $kittlez (@YaBoiSkitz) November 18, 2022
Ex-Twitter employees pitching investors next week. #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/aQe1Zpl2GT
— Pete Haas (@dimeford) November 18, 2022
Notably, Tumblr got in on the mess, too.
https://t.co/ixbAwSlMkB pic.twitter.com/GSVh3IbZkT
— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr) November 18, 2022
A Silver Lining Through Memes And Reaction Videos
Through the madness, some users went on to open up discussions centered around people sharing some of their favorite media and memories from the platform. The general idea was to share some of the most memorable aspects of Twitter for the sake of preserving the culture, as many appeared to genuinely believe that the site was in jeopardy.
Actually since we’re here at the 4th quarter of Twitter’s demise, y’all mind resharing some of the funny memes and videos so I can save em to phone right quick? pic.twitter.com/VZmEKx5R5y
— GG (@GGMoney17) November 18, 2022
in honor of twitter shutting down, what was your favorite moment on here ??
— ? (@aliyahInterlude) November 18, 2022
Since twitter going down reply with the funniest thing in your camera roll so we can laugh before it ends
— ??????’?? (@OvOBrezzzy) November 18, 2022
In turn, Twitter was soon flooded with some memorable pieces of media that went viral on the site, as well as some new gems.
A number of the submissions were screenshots of memorable tweets.
I raise you: pic.twitter.com/Gh1p2z0fZd
— TAYLOR HALE WINNER + AFP OF BB24 (@ayaan__ai) November 18, 2022
— jb ? (@6onuz) November 18, 2022
— Trenton (@ByeMrGhost) November 18, 2022
this pic.twitter.com/fH3Vm8C66Y
— sean ? (@s34ns34ns34n) November 18, 2022
— h❤️? (@piscesmoonsong) November 18, 2022
— Graceful (@Gracy73868529) November 18, 2022
It was also meme and reaction video galore down in the threads.
— mild (@sufferingmild) November 18, 2022
This thread is so good. Smh it feel like the last day of school pic.twitter.com/srRzRbAQY1
— Tamela Mann’s Burner Account (@TheBriaBlack) November 18, 2022
— Requeise Deneise (@Breighton_P) November 18, 2022
The SpongeBob memes went above and beyond for so many years. pic.twitter.com/eR6pB05jyj
— agz (@flatbushagzz) November 18, 2022
— Sea Way (@cpettway79) November 18, 2022
People also shared music-based videos.
Legend: pic.twitter.com/0GmnPyJuKl
— Fonzworth Pontiac (@THEPERFOURMER) November 18, 2022
Let Me Add The First One To It.. Because He Slid! ??? pic.twitter.com/pPCSqR2tAk
— French??? (@FrenchLIQ_) November 18, 2022
As users sought to potentially end their Twitter run on a fun note, there was plenty of humor to go around.
— ? (@nuski4x) November 18, 2022
If this is our last tweet on Twitter pic.twitter.com/TvW4gh7YjE
— Queens of Bravo (@queensofbravo) November 18, 2022
— Pineapple (@Pineapple_MMA) November 18, 2022
Should Users Preserve Their Twitter Archive?
Thankfully, Twitter is still up and going strong, so your favorite memes, reaction videos, and bookmarks are still safe (for now, at least).
However, with this shutdown scare, various outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian have begun instructing concerned users on how to download or generally preserve their Twitter archive, just in case.
What do you think about the Twitter shutdown debacle, and will you be going through to save your favorite tweets while you still can?