Why Threads Is All the Rage Bait

Michael Calore: Lauren.

Lauren Goode: Has Threads been scratching that Twitter itch for you?

Michael Calore: You mean Meta Threads? Facebook Threads?

Lauren Goode: Yeah. Meta Threads, correct.

Michael Calore: No. No, I don’t use Threads.

Lauren Goode: Not at all?

Michael Calore: Not at all.

Lauren Goode: I was wondering about that. Because when I go to tag you on Threads, sometimes it just defaults to your Instagram handle, which I guess is also your Threads handle. But why aren’t you on Threads?

Michael Calore: I really don’t feel the need to be on there. My social media needs are not as large as they used to be. And ever since Twitter went away, or I should say became X and then went away, I have really just stepped back. And if I’m spending any time on social media, I’m hanging out on Mastodon.

Lauren Goode: And Instagram.

Michael Calore: Yeah.

Lauren Goode: I see you. I send you memes on Instagram and you respond

Michael Calore: Sure, yes.

Lauren Goode: Sometimes.

Michael Calore: Sometimes, yes.

Lauren Goode: OK. Well, you’re really missing some wonky, algorithmic shit and some next-level trolling on Threads, I have to say.

Michael Calore: I used to get that on Twitter, which is part of the reason why I left.

Lauren Goode: OK. Well, there is someone who we know, at least we know her on the internet, who has taken trolling on Threads to the next level. Aren’t you the least bit curious?

Michael Calore: Of course, I am.

Lauren Goode: You want to hear more, don’t you?

Michael Calore: Yes, tag me in.

Lauren Goode: You won’t believe what happened next.

Michael Calore: Tag me into the convo.

Lauren Goode: We should talk to her.

Michael Calore: Let’s do it.

Lauren Goode: Let’s do it. Hey, everyone. Welcome to Gadget Lab. I’m Lauren Goode. I’m a senior writer at WIRED.

Michael Calore: And I’m Michael Calore. I am WIRED’s director of consumer tech and culture.

Lauren Goode: And we’re joined this week by special guest Katie Notopoulos, a senior correspondent at Business Insider. Katie, welcome to the show. It’s your first time on Gadget Lab, and we’re very excited to have you on.

Katie Notopoulos: Thank you so much for having me. I’m very excited to be a guest here.

Lauren Goode: I have to admit, this idea came from someone on Threads. I shared your recent story and someone replied to me and said, “Have her on the show.” And I said, “I’m going to steal that idea.” OK. Katie, you’re here to piss us off, I think. We brought you on because you recently did an experiment on Threads, where you deliberately posted things that you knew would make people mad. We call this rage bait. And people were getting really, really off. Some of us immediately saw what you were doing, but other people said, “I’m unfollowing Katie. What is she doing? This is crazy.”