I’m definitely a big believer in the “never say never” mind set. But I may have found an exception. Twitter.
It’s been coming up in conversation a lot recently and often with a “would you ever think about twittering?” bent to the conversation. I’m honestly curious about your thoughts on this. Not to bias you too much, but here are mine:
1. You lost me at the name. Twitter. Is that from the verb “to twitter”? What were the other options that got rejected? I just don’t think any self-respecting man runs around telling his buddies he’s doing a little twittering over the weekend.
2. I don’t really think any one could possible be that interested in what I’m doing at all times. Trust me, I’m with myself all day long and it just isn’t that interesting.
3. Even if you are interested, I’m not sure I want to tell you. A little amount of privacy can be a good thing.
4. It feeds an incredibly destructive tendency in each of us – the tendency to be so absorbed in the lives of others that we never live our lives. It doesn’t matter whether the others are actors, executives, politicians, musicians or pastors. God wants us most focused on living our own lives for His glory.
Ok, I’ think I’m done. Your turn…
why invest in knowing and caring for people when you can twitter and feel like you really know them when you don’t?
What is TWITTERING!?!?! for real. I’ve never even heard of this!
If I try to describe Twitter, I’m just going to get myself in trouble. You can learn all about it at http://twitter.com/
that’s creepy! it is like begging to be stalked… more so than facebook!
Like every social networking tool, twitter can be used (by the vast majority of the public) as a narcissistic nuisance. However! There are useful applications:
(From the ever helpful wikipedia)
Dell is using Twitter to respond to customer queries, send word of promotions and provide service updates, among other things.
Many organizations have embraced the technology, including the Los Angeles Fire Department that put it to use in situations such as the October 2007 California wildfires
Higher education is also using the technology to relay important information to students in a more timely manner
Media outlets such as CNN have also started using Twitter to break news
The BBC uses Twitter for the Magazine section of its news site. It has also established Twitter feeds for sports events
Obviously the challenge for marketers, public comm folks, and the general populace is to use it in an informative and useful manner.
But I agree, most of the time it’s essentially the same thing as your facebook “status”.