Hi Folks,
Do any of you you Twitter? I must confess, I don’t get Twitter. I don’t really see what it’s for or what it achieves and find it a bit pointless. A friend actually summed it up nicely. He described Twitter as: “The online equivalent of going outside and shouting at passing cars“. I really rather like that description as I know exactly what he means. But despite my feelings, Twitter is stupidly popular and seems to have become the normal way for politicians, celebrities and even Jo Public to express their opinions and every waking thought. Just look at Donald Trump. President of Twits, or Tweets, or whatever they are called.
Twitter or Shouting at Passing Cars?
I have a Twitter account. It was created as I was told I had to have one if I wanted to blog. I don’t use it very much, not really knowing what to say or why anyone would be interested. (Could say the same about the blog I suppose). However, this last few weeks I decided to see if I could get to grips with Twitter and finally figure out what it’s all about.
To Tweet or not to Tweet?
So what is Twitter? Created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Twitter grew out of the Social Media revolution. Essentially Twitter is a social networking service where users can post or interact with short messages or microblogs. It’s like extreme texting if you wish, but to a wide audience as opposed to an individual. When the service first started, you were limited to 140 characters per Tweet. In 2017, this was raised to 280 characters. Still not that many, but enough to create even more trouble. Or so it seems.
Sounds a bit limited to me, but then I am very long-winded, as I am sure you have noticed. Twitter did prove very popular. Latest statistics are showing that its popularity may have peaked and use is declining. That said, it still has over 330 million active users per month posting over 500million Tweets per day. That’s an awful lot of brain dumps on a daily basis.
Twitter Revenue
It’s also pretty lucrative. In 2018 Twitter made around $3 Billion. Q1 2019 saw Twitter with revenues of over $780 million. Most of this revenue, nearly 90% in fact, comes from advertising. The rest is generated from data licensing. What is this? Well, when you post a Tweet, you are providing Twitter with data. You may be expressing an opinion, or disclosing your demographic or offering support for a brand or a product or a cause. Twitter use algorithms to capture and group this data which they then sell or license to various businesses. They then target you with what you appear to like and are more likely to buy or support. Big brother is indeed watching you.
The Donald and a typically modest Tweet
These days everyone seems to Tweet. I mentioned Donald Trump. Certainly, he is infamous for venting on Twitter.
Perhaps not his most presidential characteristic. But he is well behind former President Barak Obama who has the most Twitter followers in the world with 110 million. The Donald has only a paltry 67 million. In politics, it’s not only presidents that have over active Twitter thumbs. Closer to home, our own Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP is not averse to the odd Tweet. Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson are also frequently on Twitter. Jo Swinson less so, she better get her act together as she could be losing out. Of our top politicians, JC has the most followers with almost 2 million. Nicola is on just over a million and Boris on half a million. don’t know if this is significant, but it is kind of interesting.
Celebrity Twitter
Inevitably its the world of celebrity that has really embraced Twitter. The most popular Tweeters in the world include Kate Perry (108 MM followers), Justin Bieber (107 MM followers), Rihanna (94 MM followers), Taylor Swift (85 MM followers), Lady Gaga (80 MM ) and Ellen DeGeneres (79MM). I can see why they want to promote themselves and their upcoming releases and gig’s. Kind of makes sense. I use twitter to broadcast my blogs. I am not exactly in their league and have a ways to go to catch up with the likes of Kate Perry, or even Boris Johnson for that matter. My follower’s number 608 and I have no idea how I have even that many.
So how was my experience on Twitter?
Extreme Tweets are commonplace
What a nasty, unpleasant place the Twittersphere is, full of very angry people. Being in the run-up to an election and with the background of Brexit, its inevitable that Twitter is full of partisan political Tweets. Of course, as soon as you show your colours or offer an opinion, you are fair game for anyone who doesn’t agree with you. And that for me is, by and large, the problem. Certainly, my recent experience has been that Twitter leads to Tribalism. Looking around and following various threads, it becomes obvious that the contributors are extremely partisan, with the emphasis on the extreme.
Scary, that’s how.
On one side we have all those with left-leaning tendencies extolling the virtues of Corbyn and the Labour party. On the other side, we have the more conservative elements shouting out for Boris and how he is going to save the country and deliver Brexit. This is to be expected. But, at the same time, probably 90 % of the Tweets are screaming about how horrible the other side is and putting out ever more fantastic claims and counter claims. Even that wouldn’t be too bad, but its the language used and levels of abuse.
Personal Opinions
I have my own opinions, and they are just that. My opinions. I don’t want to try and persuade anyone else to my way of thinking. That’s up to them, based on their beliefs and conscience. Plus, I don’t know what their background or circumstances are. Even if I wanted to persuade anyone, trying to do so in 280 characters would not be the best way to do it. Hence while on Twitter, if I saw something Tweeted I disagreed with, or that didn’t look right, I did a quick bit of research. If possible, I offered some salient facts and figures. If not, I kept my own counsel. It seems people don’t like this. I think the people who spout their opinions or repeat things they have read or been told don’t want to let facts get in the way. For doing so, I was called a Fascist and a Lefty. I was a Racist Scumbag and a Dirty race traitor. I am also a village idiot, a snowflake, a Yune and fat. Not at all happy about the last one.
One thing everyone seemed to have in common, irrespective of which side of the fence they favoured, they were all very angry and absolutely confident of their own moral superiority. It was all terribly black and white with no grey middle ground at all. The Scots Nats are really bad for this attitude, with an extra dollop of grievance, just to spice it up. Moreover, they didn’t want to debate, so completely enveloped in their own self-belief. What is worse, you can’t help but get dragged into the argument and it’s difficult to then avoid descending into name-calling. I did try to stay as reasonable as possible and coax out why I was a dirty racist scumbag or snowflake. Usually, this got me blocked.
Blocked
Blocked by the big man
Yes, you can block people, meaning you can no longer see their Tweets or interact with them. Probably a good thing. I confess I did lose my rag with one bloke and called him a Joyless Twit. Not the worst insult in the world, but not helpful either. I didn’t block anyone, even when the insults were flowing at me. What is the point in that? If you are being horribly trolled, I can see why blocking would be a good thing. But what is the point in expressing an opinion, if all you want is people who agree with you to, well agree with you? If you are going to block and ignore anyone who expresses a different opinion, nothing will ever change. And this is why Twitter as a platform falls down for me. You can’t debate, All you can do is shout and insult and block, so you only ever see those that agree with your world view.
In fairness, I did come across a few folks with whom I disagreed or who disagreed with me but still managed to have a grown-up exchange of views with them. These ended civily and with a bit of humour. Sadly, these experiences were very definitely in the minority. I also found myself retweeting things I agreed with and slowly but surely, getting silo’d into my own tribe. It’s very hard to stay neutral and open-minded and I don’t like that all.
Not For Me
Still don’t get Twitter. Don’t like it as a forum. I will probably drop back in from time to time and see what is going on, but I did find it a terribly angry, scary and antagonistic place. Perhaps after the election and once Brexit, Scexit and Strictly Come Dancing are over, it might calm down a little. In the meantime, I am giving it a wide berth or at least concentrating on the less political aspects. I do like a good cute cat video.
Cute Cats Rule
And on that bombshell, talk again soon,
Graham Wannabe, 18th Nov 2019.
I was quite an early adopter of twitter. I created my twitter account back in 2008 with the sole intention to follow my local theater and art establishments. I found it very useful since the establishments often post their event updates and I will give the notifications (I cannot always go to their website to check the event updates manually). Just like you’ve mentioned, it is quite an ideal medium to promote oneself. I think that’s why the creator limited each post to 140 characters: long enough to forward your message and tease people to want more, yet short enough so it won’t bore your audiences.
But later on in the adaptation, more and more people use twitter as a “personal diary” which often times are too much information (or like people called TMI). It becomes an infamous platform for people who have thumbs that are faster than the brains. Perhaps you can filter out tweets that don’t resonate your interests, but it is just too much work to set up. Long story short, I quitted twitter right after the US election in 2016. 😀
My early observations were as you suggested. People taking the time to share they were having a cup of coffee and a bun???🙄 Err, good? But does the world really need to know that?
Honestly I don’t use twitter all the time. I’m more into Facebook. On twitter limited characters to post and its time consuming to read all the threads.
I still struggle with Twitter. Yesterday I got into a discussion on hunting. At least it stayed civilized, but it does become time consuming wading through the thread as more people jump Into it.
I have witnessed been blocked on Twitter. So frustrating I most say.
ANd pointless by and large. What’s the point of putting an idea/opinion out there then blocking people who don’t agree with it? Unless they are being very rude. In which case fair enough.
We should try and understand that every persons has right to their point of view. I hope people will stop just blocking people anyhow
Actually am a fun of Twitter. I am always on Twitter most of the time. I find it useful to catch the latest trending issues in your location
Nope. Just doesn’t do it for me 🤔
I don’t really find Twitter interesting because I don’t love its platform as a person. So I visit twitter once in 6months. Its true that its a nasty, unpleasant place the Twittersphere is, full of very angry people. What’s your own advise about people using twitter?.
I always try to remain polite and reasonable. Doesn’t mean other people won’t be rude to you, but at least you have risen above the name-calling. If you are going to put an opinion out there be prepared for people to disagree with you. If they do, try logic and facts to answer them. Avoid name-calling and rudeness. Best advice. Avoid Twitter, r at least commenting.
I tried using twitter but dropped it…its sole purpose is what I can’t wrap my brain around. Celebrities use it a lot though
Yes I do 🤣🤪😂😅
I love tweeting and it’s quite fascinating, interesting and informative. I guess blocking someone out I a nice gesture. Well, just be polite and use no abusive words to avoid blockage.
Good policy
It takes only the strong willed to have such a policy. Thanks, Graham🌹
It’s difficult sometimes, but there again, there is absolutely no need to use the platform.
Well, nice opinion. Everyone will decide what to do whether to use it or not. ❣️❣️
Which is as it should be 👍
I like twitter because have being using it since three years ago. It make me to know that is threading in world.
You’ll have to give me lessons. I really don’t like Twitter
I’m also in the group of wanting to know the whole essence of having a Twitter account. It’s a really boring place to me. I don’t even tweet at all.
I think that’s probably the best approach.
I’m glad that Im not the only one who finds twitter pointless… I opened an account long ago and I barely use it.
I agree. And yet….. I am delving more and more into it at the moment. Maybe boredom, but I can’t help comment on some of the more outlandish statements I read. Pointless exercise as most people don’t want to discuss or debate.
I like twitter a little bit because of politics of my country. That’s where the politicians in my country tweets about their present and future plans. So I just go there to read their rants. lol.
Same same here, only everyone tweets their political rants, presenting them as objective opinion over here.
I still find it so hard to use the Twitter even after 3 years of using it. And seeing someone blocked me cause of a discussion I contributed to….. I was just like can I just delete my account 😡
I’d do it. Twitter is a weird forum. If it’s getting you down. Get rid of it
So hard to use, not even easily navigated. I will just get rid of it.
👍
Everyone’s opinion are to be respected. Also Twitter needs to do somethings to the navigator of her site. Really hard to use; I tell you
A lot of youngsters use twitter..I guess they enjoy the rants and insults..
When you are young I find you to tend to be more opinionated and absolutely convinced you are right. Twitter allows you to express that virtue signaling. With only 280 characters available, it’s hard to have a real discussion. So shorty slogans and rants prevail
Twitter is for those that want to rant and troll. Nothing to learn over there. I only update my friends on Facebook and I’m done with social media.
Sounds like a good policy to me
Twitter is fun filled as said by a friend but whats the eefect if not having an account with twitter? I just keep asking myself that question.
Absolutely none whatsoever. Twitter achieves nothing other than polarising society. But it’s also vaguely addictive. If you don’t have an account, steer well clear.
That’s quite a con! Apart, from the addictive aspect, it seems to be time consuming too! What do you think?
Certainly. Especially if you have a slightly obsessive nature as I do. I ‘have’ to keep checking back. And that takes time.
Twitter is just like any other social media. I like twitter before compared to facebook but now twitter community gets so toxic and is now used by politicians and celebrities to create noise.
Ain’t that the truth.
I have the account for having sake,since it is free too but I hardly tweet with it. I believe it make more sense to bloggers for tweeting about their posts.
That’s where I am too
I don’t like social media…its not just my jam..
I hear you. Wish I could forget about it too. But I am hooked, I guess.
In 2018 Twitter made around $3 Billion. I can’t get this figure off my head as it was just too 😲. What do you think about 2019?
Based on Q1 performance, probably the same if not higher 😳😳
I personally I’m not a big fun of tweeter. I had an account that got suspended, but I’ll go back and find some interesting posts.
I will be writing more about a recent twitter experience soon. Possibly today. As you will see, sometimes it can inspire you to think about issues a little deeper than you might otherwise.