Twitter rolls out a 280 character limit and absurdity ensues

On Tuesday, Twitter solved a problem few users realized they had when the social media platform introduced a 280 character limit — double the original 140 — for a handful of test users.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey tweeted Tuesday that the move was a small change that solves "a real problem people have when trying to tweet." He insisted that the solution will still allow Twitter to maintain its "brevity, speed, and essence."

This is a small change, but a big move for us. 140 was an arbitrary choice based on the 160 character SMS limit. Proud of how thoughtful the team has been in solving a real problem people have when trying to tweet. And at the same time maintaining our brevity, speed, and essence! https://t.co/TuHj51MsTu

— jack (@jack) September 26, 2017

Most Twitter users, however, found the change unnecessary, and even those selected to use the new 280 character limit made a mockery of the situation.

Oh shit I was selected as one of the special ones to tweet in 280 characters. HAHAHA suck it losers, I feel like God right now. Wait, I'm not done, I would also like to say that all these words I'm typing right now are useless and I wasted them just because I CAN. These too, lmao

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) September 27, 2017

The move was made, in part, because users who tweet in English have a tougher time meeting the 140 character limit. Languages such as Japanese, Korean and Chinese are more compact and allow thoughts to be conveyed in smaller character counts.

The graph that will change Twitter. The most impactful data science happens by asking the right questions and giving clear and compelling answers, fancy methods are often a distraction! https://t.co/Q9U97IsSVR pic.twitter.com/GiTwBueNYu

— Venu Satuluri (@venusatuluri) September 26, 2017

Still, even the English-speaking Twitter users did not seem to appreciate the change. While the solution may help people compose tweets, the 280 characters makes it difficult to consume them.

im literally exhausted reading this https://t.co/312hLeKufD

— sean. (@SeanMcElwee) September 26, 2017

Moreover, doubling the character limit may have been a little excessive, which was made apparent by the test users.

Hey @jack

280 chars is a bad idea.
Bad idea.
Like
Really
bad.

It
can
really
mess
things
up.

Have
you
thought
this
through
yet?

You're
altering
your
brand.

"the
lack
of
humility
before
nature
that's
being
displayed
here
staggers
me."

Pls
rethink
this

No
.
.
.
really.

— Razor (@hale_razor) September 27, 2017

Super excited about the move to 280 characters!

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CONFIDENTIALITY. This tweet is intended only for the use of the recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient any dissemination of this tweet is prohibited. If you received this in error notify the sender immediately.

— Ken Norton (@kennethn) September 27, 2017

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play

— Alex Parker (@AlexParkerDC) September 27, 2017

Many users were baffled that the platform spent time and energy on the composition of a tweet as opposed to the real and present threat of harassers on Twitter.

Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get rid of Nazis, @Jack. Get r

— Nish Writer Mari (@CyborgN8VMari) September 27, 2017