Panthers DL Shy Tuttle isn’t paying Elon Musk for Twitter verification

So, I came across this article about Panthers DL Shy Tuttle and his Twitter verification situation, and I thought it was pretty interesting. In short, Tuttle was offered a verified Twitter account from Elon Musk in exchange for some cryptocurrency, but Tuttle refused, saying he doesn’t need to pay for authenticity.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty skeptical of anyone who needs to pay for a little blue checkmark next to their name on social media. It seems like a pretty unnecessary flex, if you ask me. Plus, as Tuttle pointed out, there are plenty of verified accounts out there that probably shouldn’t be (looking at you, disgraced politicians and influencers with fake followers).

But beyond that, I think this article brings up a larger point about our obsession with social media validation. We put so much stock in followers, likes, and comments, when in reality, those things aren’t a reflection of our worth as human beings. Sure, it’s nice to feel popular and appreciated online, but at the end of the day, it’s just a bunch of pixels on a screen.

Overall, I appreciate Shy Tuttle’s refusal to buy into the hype of Twitter verification. It’s a small act of resistance against the toxic culture of social media, and a reminder that our self-worth should never be tied to a blue checkmark.