Words and Art by: Alleisha Pereira-Stephens

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, where Tweets can capture the zeitgeist in a mere 280 characters, only a select few have managed to transcend the digital realm and etch themselves into the archives of cultural history.

In this exploration of ten of the most influential Tweets, we embark on a journey through wit, wisdom, and occasional whimsy. From global politics to pop culture moments, these Tweets have resonated with millions, shaping discourse, sparking movements, and providing unforgettable glimpses into the lives of their authors.

Greta Thunberg’s Response To Misogynist Tweet:

“yes, please do enlighten me. email me at smalldickenergy@getalife.com”

@GretaThunberg

How do you respond to a Tweet by a man who denies the basic rights of women? It’s simple, give him a taste of his own small dick energy.

When Tate, a man who has built a career as a professional misogynist, boasted of his sports car collection and their ‘enormous emissions’, it could be assumed that he was looking to diminish Thunberg’s commitment to climate injustice. Thunberg however, rather than choosing to argue with the petty Tweet, instead opted to end Tate’s manhood in just 9 simple words.

Twitter’s Witty Response To Facebook Outage:

“hello literally everyone”

@Twitter (now @X)

In October 2021, Facebook crashed for several hours, dragging WhatsApp and Instagram down in its wake. Twitter, therefore, had centre stage. It was an opportunity for some attention, and also the perfect time to take a not-so-subtle jab at their rivals. In saying that, the Tweet garnered the responses of companies worldwide, including Instagram and WhatsApp. If you can’t beat them, join them, right?

2020 Presidential Election:

“We did it @JoeBiden”

@KamalaHarris 

The 2020 U.S. presidential debate was a moment in history recognised worldwide, with people glueing themselves to their phones, laptops, and televisions as the vote count continued to rise.

In the midst of the pandemic, where political tensions were at an all-time high, ‘we did it Joe’ swiftly transformed into a defining meme of that era. Among heightened political tensions and global uncertainty, this tweet encapsulated the collective relief and optimism felt by many – Trump was no longer president.

Cher’s Self-Aware Tweet:

“Whats going on with mycareer”

@cher

I could ask myself the same thing Cher. 

I’ve seen others label Cher’s Twitter account as something of postmodern poetry, and I cannot deny that her tweets, while obscure, are definitely relatable. She may be the Goddess of Pop, but we can’t deny that she is self-aware.

Britney Spears’ Intriguing Thoughts On Lady Gaga:

“Does anyone think global warming is a good thing? I love Lady Gaga. I think she is a really interesting artist.” 

@britneyspears

This Tweet is a perfect representation of my intrusive thoughts. Britney’s social media presence often ventures into the realm of the unusual, leaving her followers both amused and bemused. Having seen her whirl around in interpretative dance videos, little fazes me now. As it turns out, this Tweet was a two-part response to a question from a fan. Even still, the combination of topics is something to giggle at.  

Jack Dorsey’s First Twitter Message:

“just setting up my twttr”

@jack

Nearly 17 years ago, Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey posted the platform’s first-ever message: ‘just setting up my twttr’. In light of his 2021 resignation and Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion, this tweet serves as a relic from Twitter’s early days. I can’t deny, however, that this otherwise mundane feeling Tweet is a far cry from the controversial ones of today. 

Shaquille O’Neal’s Amusement Park Struggles:

“im at knots berry farms n my butts 2 big 2 fit in da seats on ride. ahhhhhh (dats me yellin)”

@SHAQ

I’m not sure if this Tweet affected as many people as it did me, but I think it’s iconic.  

It humorously portrays the challenges of a 7’1″ man trying to enjoy an amusement park ride. It’s both poetic and relatable, offering representation for individuals with larger body types. Representation for the big butts. 

Kim Kardashian’s Obscure Surfing Tweet:

“kowabunga dudettes. i’m so pumped to be on this surfing kick. who else surfs out there? gnarly day in the h2o. ridin waves!”

@KimKardashian

Have you ever encountered something so obscure that it prompts you to pause, read it once more, and then again, only to realise it was authored by Kim Kardashian? Yes, that’s precisely the reaction both I and society experienced when we came across this Tweet.

Kylie Jenner’s Cereal Revelation:

“last night i had cereal with milk for the first time. life changing.” 

@KylieJenner

There are moments when I wonder if the Kardashian and Jenner family descended from another planet as a social experiment to gauge our reactions. This Tweet certainly falls into that category.

Now, don’t get me wrong, dry cereal can be a delightful snack occasionally. But favouring it over cereal with milk? It feels like the moment when Twitter truly became divided. 

50 Cent’s Humorous Take on Taking Out the Garbage:

“I can’t belive my grand mothers making me take Out the garbage I’m rich fuck this I’m going home I don’t need this shit”

@50cent

The mental image of 50 Cent donning a snapback and gold chain, while handling a garbage bag for his grandma, struck a chord with many, myself included. The humour lies in contemplating whether he composed this Tweet before, after, or even during his trash duty. Nevertheless, there’s a genuine and authentic quality to this one. It vividly demonstrates that, regardless of one’s wealth, when your grandmother requires assistance with the trash, you have no choice but to slip into your shoes and head out the door.