Let me say up front I have no relationship with Parler other than being a brand new user who likes what I’m seeing so far. I wouldn’t want anyone thinking I’m shilling for the sake of gain. I sincerely believe two truths: Twitter is making it more and more difficult to enjoy their platform and Parler seems more than ready to be a free speech zone for anyone, including conservatives.
I have created Parler accounts for me and this site.
But let’s get something else out of the way before I dive into the platform itself. It’s pronounced “par-lay,” as in the French word for “speak.”
Politico recently noted that Brad Parscale, the President’s 2020 campaign manager, is “checking out” the site. If he likes what he sees and recommends the President start posting there as well as Twitter, it would cause a major shift for millions of current Twitter users. While I don’t see it as even remotely possible he would recommend the President should leave Twitter, by adding Parler and posting more often there, perhaps with cross-posts to both platforms but occasional unique posts to both, many of his followers and detractors would need to split time on the platforms.
ALL of mainstream media would have to be on Parler, though many would likely only use it to monitor the President.
A few things have to happen before any big moves are made. First, the site has to be tested for its ability to stay online under duress. When Candace Owens Tweeted about it last year, the site crashed from 40,000 new users. This would be a huge problem because one Tweet by the President and the subsequent news coverage of it would likely send millions, perhaps tens of millions of people to create profiles in a very short period of time.
Another challenge is in defining what’s acceptable on the platform. They are currently using FCC guidelines for defining obscenity and relying on users’ ability to self-filter what they see. In an ideal world, this should be enough. But as Gab, another Twitter competitor established in 2016, has learned, free speech comes with the potential for a very negative reputation. The site has been accused of being a haven for the alt-right and has been attached to some nefarious figures.
One thing is clear about the state of social media: The current players hate conservatives and Christians. They absolutely despise Trump supporters. They allow progressives to get downright offensive and threatening while jumping on the tiniest joke made at the expense of a Democrat. For the sake of free speech online, it behooves Parscale to get the President on board with Parler.
As Twitter continues to stifle conservative and Christian voices on its platform, one has to wonder if they are going to be able to sustain. Brad Parscale could turn Parler into an overnight success by making a suggestion to the President.
We are currently forming the American Conservative Movement. If you are interested in learning more, we will be sending out information in a few weeks.
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