Tuesday 12 August 2008

Twittering

It's fairly rare that I'll post about anything other than what I've been drinking/doing/watching on the telly. And that's cos my blog's for me - and my pals - and not designed to be an in-depth social commentary or diatribe on my career or the industry in which I work.

My Twitter account looks fairly similar, and again, I don't really care who reads it, or not. It's for me - and my pals.

But I happened across this post, today from a technology journalist and commentator about how she's infuriated by twitter-ers talking about what they had for breakfast, what they're watching on the telly - and when they go visit their mothers. Sally - you'd bloody hate mine, then.

A little bit churlish, I thought, given that she starts the post by updating her readers on what's new in her life, including her hectic schedule thanks to her parents' extended holidays. Hmm.

But hey, each to their own, and I'm sure she's not going to start following lil' old me anytime soon. But, the point of Twitter and blogging is that it's YOUR space - to write what you like, about the stuff you're thinking or doing. And if that's twittering on a Sunday, or talking about your lunch plans, then so bloody be it. And if your readers don't like it, they'll stop reading pretty sharpish - or stop following you.

So, I'm afraid I won't be taking Sally's advice - and my posts about chips and wine may well continue.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello

Thanks for linking to my blog. You have, however, completely missed the point.

Blog, Tweet, Text, Facebook whatever you like. I'm not going to say anything is wrong or right. I might think it's right, someone else might think it's wrong. C'est la vie.

My point is that in a hectic world where free time is hard to come by, perhaps it's healthy to disconnect from the world of work and social media, and Sunday seems like a good time to do it.

My issue isn't that Wadds told me what he was having for breakfast. I think I've had Twitter conversations about the miracle that is the fish finger sandwich.

My issue was that Wadds didn't need to post that to his - broadly professional - network. Perhaps it would have been more beneficial for him to forget about work and social media entirely for morning and just really enjoy the breakfast.

So, not infuriated, not berating anyone, not being churlish - just inviting people to smell the roses from time to time.


Sally

Anonymous said...

Hi Sally. Crikey, my blog has just got its second reader, then. Mum - I told you it'd be a success.

I liked your post actually, and thought it was interersting - but with time a precious commodity (as you say), I think that there's a vast community which likes to spend its free time commenting on and updating their social networking sites. Cos, predominently, that's what it is - social.

I think we're reaching a point where disconnecting from the world of social media isn't easy...not because we can't (I know where the off button is), but because we don't want to.

I'm one of those types, so my twitter's filled with useless rubbish which is only for me and my mates. On Sundays some people go to the pub (I do that too), some people rest up and some people like to Twitter. And so be it.

Probably why I don't use it as a work tool - and you do. Actually, it's my way from switching off from work. But there's still the option of unsubscribing to someone's feed or blocking them if their updates are getting irritating.

And I bloody love a fish finger sandwich. With ketchup, not mayo, though.

Emily McDaid said...

Hi, Cathy's mum!!! Here's my two cents. most people on my Twitter feed use it for both work and personal. as do i. when i'm in work mode, i scan for the work ones and the headlines. when in personal mode, i scan for the fun stuff. i really like that Twitter caters to both...and i like that Twitter is positioned that way amongst a few other innovative social media companies. it's especially good as a home worker, because you lack all those minute-long laugh/kitchen breaks and your coworkers' witter banter flying around. (well, maybe it wasn't that witty at Rainier after all... ! i'll leave that one open for comment ;-)

Anonymous said...

Never one to avoid a good debate - especially one in which Cathy is missing the point - here is my two fils...

The beauty for me of all these applications is that my friends are still around me wherever they are in the world and at whatever time I can grab to look at what they're up to. Same goes for work if needs be.

Whether stuck in a traffic jam, sitting on the sofa (although that's technically ruled out by the rubbish reception anywhere past the balcony doors), taking a breather from work or waiting for the dentist I can choose whether I want to tick something off my mental work list (that can be 'mental' as in in my head or 'mental' really big - either applies), let my friends know I'm thinking of them, or find out what they're up to. Being away from most of my friends and family it's also great for being very jealous of all the fun I'm missing out on, but still feeling part of the gang.

It's all embraced by that great mobile promise of being connected wherever and whenever, the extent to which each individual has the right to make a choice, and I don't think anyone can complain about that.

PS Hi Cathy's mum

PPS Can I also highlight that my word verification is 'fokwu' - which I think is funny. Just me? ok.

@EmVicW said...

Absolutely agree with Katy (which is potentially a first, we even row over gin vs vodka).

I am in Sydney and have been for nearly three months, but I am still on gossiping terms with people on twitter while my friends with whom I mainly have email contact are already moving onto the vaguer "formal chat" mode.

I also love the fact that they are at their nieces birthday party, or heading for a drunken picnic at the opposite time of day from me. But thats just because I have a weird sense of humour.

PS hi cathy's mum

PPS why is there another emily reading this blog - cathy you swore i was your only reader

PPPS my verification word is nxrdvtzt thats not so cool as Katys.