Last week, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced the company is soliciting applications from people who’d like to help study Twitter’s health as a platform for conversation. Or should we say, #health. Today, the CEO took to Periscope -- Twitter's live streaming video app -- with a mobile panel of himself and three of his colleagues who are in charge of the health of the social network. David Gasca: How They'll Measure Twitter's Health The Product Health lead opened by explaining that they intend to examine the health of the platform "in such a way that is public and accountable," but also goes beyond simple metrics such as how much engagement certain tweets get from their users. However, according to Gasca, the "density" of certain networks within Twitter, as well as the idea of "social capital" may also play a part in their research. People can submit proposals by April 13 via this blog post, after which time Twitter will contact a set of "semifinalists" for more detail on their proposals. Vijaya Gadde: Navigating Personal Biases Within the Company Gadde took the first question from a live viewer who asked if all four employees on the Periscope identify as liberals -- and if so, how that might create bias when they scrutinize political commentary on Twitter. "This is true not just of [many Twitter employees], but of the industry, and of Silicon Valley," she responded. Gadde admitted "everyone has bias" and that they're using this as motivation to come up with a healthy way forward. Harvey and Dorsey also heavily covered their treatment of parody accounts, many of which have been shut down for reasons related to their messaging -- but are also considered important to the culture of the social network.
Last week, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced the company is soliciting applications from people who’d like to help study Twitter’s health as a platform for conversation.
Or should we say, #health.
Today, the CEO took to Periscope — Twitter’s live streaming video app — with a mobile panel of himself and three of his colleagues who are in charge of the health of the social network.
This team included:
- David Gasca, Head of Product Health
“All of us are a little bit nervous, so give us a little bit of time to find our groove,” a candid Dorsey said before handing the device to Gasca.
David Gasca: How They’ll Measure Twitter’s Health
The Product Health lead opened by explaining that they intend to examine the health of the platform “in such a way that is public and accountable,” but also goes beyond simple metrics such as how much engagement certain tweets get from their users.
Gasca stated their efforts were at least partly inspired by research released by Cortico, a not-for-profit that suggested a few basic ingredients of healthy dialogue on social media.
However, according to Gasca, the “density” of certain networks within Twitter, as well as the idea of “social capital” may also play a part in their research.
In that spirit, Gasca said they’re looking for new approaches — both professional and academic — to address what he admitted is a legitimate problem across the Twittersphere. People can submit proposals by April 13 via this blog post, after which time Twitter will contact a set of “semifinalists” for more detail on their proposals.
COMMENTS