To begin, all Twitter users know the difficulty in converting others. We usually get interrupted by the inevitable question, "But, why would I want to do that?" Our response is often an ineffectual, "No, but it's fun." Not a ringing endorsement. What I mean to tell others is that it's not about what you had for breakfast (well, sometimes) or keeping to the 140 character limit. It's about developing a group of friends or connections who happen to--usually--share interests and opinions.
One trait I think most twitterers share is curiosity. Curiosity about the arts, the news, the world at large. Other cultures, other ways of thinking. Twitter is a natural magnet for those people. In the same way that those with a more parochial outlook may truly find the social network useless.
Sometimes, a friend will ask, "So, who's in your followers and following lists?" I'm never sure where to begin or where to end. I think I have the most eclectic and fascinating group of people in the twitter universe. But, I always hesitate before replying because I'm well aware that I could sound delusional. "Let's see, " I might begin, "along with friends I hang out with here--one very cool friend in particular, there's a really talented, crazy-busy film editor in New York City, a notably impressive photographer, a wonderful Apple expert, a Venezuelan rocker, a gourmet Libertarian, a composer who always makes me laugh, several solid filmmakers and writers (talk about crazy-busy!) --including one who's got a lovely French film project in the works, an encouraging fellow writer in Chicago, a whole TRIBE of terrific geek friends, an outstanding-in-many-ways artist at The Ranch, impressive English writers, two great people in Australia, a creative woman in Michigan who shares my insomnia and humor, ..." as they glaze over, I may add, "Oh, and an astronaut." It all sounds just a bit deranged.
The next question is even harder. "But, are they friends?" Hmm. On one hand, that would be dependent on the way each individual would answer the same question. Yet, we check in whenever we have the time, often throughout the day. We share joy, dismay, anger, humor, and elation. Often, when everyone else is fast asleep, we're at our keyboards, wondering why we're so sleep deprived. We encourage each other, we challenge each other.
I'm really not sure what else would be needed to define "friend".
Posts
Karla, this is an EXCELLENT explanation of Twitter. I'm going to refer my friends who ask why I like and use Twitter to this post.
ReplyDeleteExcellent description. In fact, I've been a flakey Twitterer of late, and need to get back at it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, writegrrl and Rachel!
ReplyDeleteimpressive list and great explanation! Me, my twitter list is all about news. I still don't understand why half the people who follow me, follow me but oh well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, skyeltd. I can't remember how many of the people on my list got there, but I do feel very fortunate.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good explanation. The next time I find myself trying to explain why I use twitter, I think I'll just refer people to this post.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how much I have changed my mind about Twitter and how my use of it has changed. When I first signed up I did it to skeptically try out the new technology without much hope of liking it. I didn't see the point of broadcasting 140 character messages to strangers and had no particular desire to read similar messages from them. Now, I use it as a way to stay in touch with what is going on in the world and many of those "strangers" have become friends, albeit friends that I rarely get the chance to see in person.
Through Twitter I have found fellow Sigur Ros music lovers, film editing geniuses who are always willing to help, a leading actor for my upcoming web series, a film editor for same web series, people who inspire me, people who challenge me and creative types who's work I enjoy.
ReplyDelete