Ok. Enough already. Seriously. You're all wrong about Twitter. And you're all right.
I'm really bored of people trying to define Twitter. You follow too many people. You follow too few people. You don't RT enough. You don't engage in conversation enough. You RT too often. Your stream is full of @replies. Come on - putting a sticker of definition on most things web related is going to stir some controversy at least, and hey - we all do it for extra followers, right?
So stop for just a second. Why do you use Twitter? Where do you find the value? If you're going on about how varied your TweetDeck is or how engaged you are with your followers, you've got it wrong. You use it because you see value in it. Period. Full stop. Fin. Trying to foist your opinion upon how others use it verges on the insanely egotistical (yes, I get the irony here).
Why I use Twitter (and why you should ignore why I use Twitter):
- It's entertaining - where else can you read random thoughts from Ando and Matt Parkman (Heroes)?
- I don't follow people so that they'll follow me back. Seriously. I don't care if you follow me back. I'm listening to you because I like/respect/admire/love you and am interested in what you have to say. Nothing more.
- I don't follow back people just because they follow me. You want me to follow you back? Great! You've bought me a drink at the bar, now start the conversation.
- If you auto-DM me, I will unfollow you. No, I don't want to read your beginners guide to Twitter - I've been using it for a while kthxbai.
- I see value in following what people are up to, but find it slightly creepy that I have to introduce myself by my Twitter name when I meet you IRL. I'm still struggling with the concept of online informing real life and vice versa (since about 1995). I'll get there.
- I enjoy it. I don't see the point of doing anything unless you truly get enjoyment out of it. Life is rather boring otherwise.
In the end, it's a jumble, unflowing and disconnected - pretty much how I experience (and rather enjoy) Twitter. It's pretty much the Latin equivalent of sum quod sum, or Twitter quod Twitter. Define it for yourself, and don't try to dictate how other people interact. It is what it is, and it is what you believe it is.
