Twitter on the Huffington Post-AOL Deal: '90s Internet Jokes Aplenty

Everyone's a media critic.

At least, that's how it seems, as Twitter weighs in on the news that Surge Desk's bosses at AOL have purchased The Huffington Post for $315 million.

Of course, Twitter users can't agree on whether this is a smart, bold move or a big mistake for both parties. But what fun would there be in unanimous opinion online?

Some think this is a coup for Arianna Huffington.

You know who won the Super Bowl? Arianna Huffington. Aol just bought Huffington Post for $315 million http://t.co/zb16res via @techcrunchless than a minute ago via Tweet ButtonRob Barry
RobOBarry

There's also a sense among some that this will be a smart move for AOL.

Storied, outdated AOL acquiring emergent, effective HuffPo: http://ow.ly/1s1vm3 Bold move may refresh AOL's brand. #contentiskingless than a minute ago via HootSuitemrowlands
mrowlands

Elizabeth Spiers, one of the founding editors of Gawker and the recently named editor-in-chief of The New York Observer, isn't so sure about the deal.

I'm not optimistic that throwing in HuffPo will add actual clarity to AOL's editorial strategyless than a minute ago via webElizabeth Spiers
espiers

Another skeptic points out that the deal means the loss of Huffington Post CEO Eric Hippeau -- which could spell trouble.

HuffPo key: Hippeau is leaving. This will hurt AOL deal since I doubt Arianna is equipped to handle content and mgt details. Big loss.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckAlan Meckler
alanmeckler

Many are worrying about how the merged properties will affect the market for online journalists.

With HuffPo AOL merger writers can now work for free for one of the largest media conglomerates in the world.less than a minute ago via webTom Tomorrow
tomtomorrow

AGREE RT @mamitamala: HuffPo being bought by AOL means that indy media makers need more support than everless than a minute ago via HootSuiteQue Pasa NYC
latina_sweetie

Arianna note to contributors: "the only real change you'll notice" is "more people reading what you wrote." i.e., you still won't get paidless than a minute ago via webChris Lehmann
lehmannchris

More than a few tweets point out the obvious similarities between the AOL-HuffPo deal and the ill-fated AOL-Time Warner merger of 2000.

Sounds like the story Ted Turner was sold, too @zseward: Quick takes on AOL-HuffPo: Huffington sold the company to regain control of itless than a minute ago via webStacy Herbert
stacyherbert

Of course, no one can resist a good '90s Internet joke. Surge Desk certainly can't.

What do Ariana #HuffPo and my grandmother have in common? An #AOL e-mail address.less than a minute ago via Twitter for AndroidBilly Adams
billyadams64

AOL bought HuffPo? I guess now when they send you a disk in the mail it's guaranteed to have a virus.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckPhil Plait
BadAstronomer