My Name Is Jim, And I Still Don't Twitter
“Hi, Jim.”
Hi. This is my first time sharing about Twitter. I’ve tried to keep up with all these social networking fads, even getting a Facebook page. I’ve read countless articles and watched all the news coverage about FB and myspace, and really made an effort to understand how this changes the world, and my world, and everybody’s world, and how surviving in the media business means learning how to use all these new tools, and I’ve tried to understand, I really have, the reasons I need to get on board with friending, and poking, and superpoking, and blowing kisses, whatever any of that means. But there’s one hurdle I’m not clearing:
I just can’t understand Twitter.
Oh, I mean I “understand” it technically; 140-characters max, sharing with your followers what you’re doing at any moment just like they share with you, feeling as if celebrities like Oprah and Ashton Kutcher are your friends, etc. I’m just not understanding why I would ever want to do it. What I’m saying is….(sniff)… I just don’t think I’m Twitter material!
What? A tissue? Yes, thank you. It really got bad this week when I saw that it was the cover story in Time magazine. I thought reading it would finally make me comprehend why Twitter is important, and why I need to get on board with it. But it didn’t help! In fact, when I read this sentence, I felt more alienated than ever:
“…as millions of devotees have discovered, Twitter turns out to have unsuspected depth. In part this is because hearing about what your friends had for breakfast is actually more interesting than it sounds.”
No, it’s not! Finding out what your friend had for breakfast—being notified about what your friend had for breakfast—is exactly as interesting as it sounds; Not. At. All. I’m trying to think of anyone—immediate family members, the guy who cuts my hair, Ashton Kutcher-- I want to receive this information from. And with the possible exception of Ashton Kutcher, the answer is NO!
And don’t say don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. Anyone with a Facebook page gets more than a sampling of this. In just the last few days, people in my relatively tiny roster of friends have passed along these crucial developments in the fate of western man (names have been concealed to protect the boring):
“____ is almost at happy hour!”
“____ is overhearing his wife gossiping about her new vacuum cleaner.”
And my personal favorite for sheer inconsequentiality:
“____ is home and resting.”
Wow. Home and resting. Let me…. get right on that. Fact is, I did not need to know any of this! But it isn’t just egotistical me not wanting to hear about the daily lives of others; this is egotistical me assuming that nobody would ever want to hear those kinds of details about MY daily life. My parents didn’t raise me to feel the need to tell everyone I’ve ever met that the rain has me feeling a little blue.
But clearly, when it comes to Twitter, I’m on the wrong side of history here, or at least the wrong side of faddishness. We’ve even had a few Twitter training sessions here at work, in case we make it a part of our newscasts, as some news programs already have. So if I must, I will tweet. I will tweet to the best of my ability. Might as well practice right now:
“JIM IS… getting ready to post his blog.”
Thanks for letting me share. I’m leaving now. I hear it’s almost happy hour. After that, I’ll be home. Resting.
Comments: 41
I am with you!
I don't understand what is all the fuss either. It must be because we are from the same era. :)
THANK YOU!!! I agree completely! I've had a Twitter account for months, and never use it or check it. I am so not interested in the updates. I am a fan of Facebook for reconnecting with people, not the mundane updates. Twitter is just extra white noise.
I agree with you Jim. I signed up for Twitter and then realized that my life is not so interesting, and neither was anyone that I was following. Who cares!
Jim,
I too have issues w/twitter. It allows people that you don't even know to follow you, none of your friends actually tweet, and when you do post an update, no one responds. I do like it for following a magazine or an organization or a particular celebrity.
All in all, I could do w/o it.
You're not alone!
I don't get it either!To be honest with you, I never even went for the whole "My Space" thing too.
"Facebook", however,...
"a whole different story",....
That was a awesome blog Jim. I myself have a twitter (yep fell into the peer pressure) and I think I'm a young guy, 25 years of age as of Sunday, I just don't get the concept of it. So let me reassure you Jim you are not alone.
Hey Jim,
You are not alone. I myself am not a twitter', i do not understand why people do it, like drugs why? I do not understand twitter, or its purpose if it even has one. Well thats just me letting you know that you are not alone in the world, asa person who does not twitter!
I don't understand twitter either its nothing to do why would i want to follow people all day.
I here you!! What's it all about??
I never "tweeted" on Twitter but have long ago been to (My)Space and just need to know what ever happened to calling a friend or hanging out and knowing what ur "friends" are up to? Isn't it a contradiction in itself when you are on "on te computer" posting that you are..."on the computer?
I was born in 1986 and everyone seems to be twittering but I don't so it doesn't have anything to with what era you are from. Honestly I don't care what everyone else is doing every minute of their day therefore there is no need to twitter. Im not even one to blog I just found this really interesting.
I was born in 1986 and everyone seems to be twittering but I don't so it doesn't have anything to with what era you are from. Honestly I don't care what everyone else is doing every minute of their day therefore there is no need to twitter. Im not even one to blog I just found this really interesting.
I was born in 1986 and everyone seems to be twittering but I don't so it doesn't have anything to with what era you are from. Honestly I don't care what everyone else is doing every minute of their day therefore there is no need to twitter. Im not even one to blog I just found this really interesting.
I was born in 1986 and everyone seems to be twittering but I don't so it doesn't have anything to with what era you are from. Honestly I don't care what everyone else is doing every minute of their day therefore there is no need to twitter. Im not even one to blog I just found this really interesting.
I was born in 1986 and everyone seems to be twittering but I don't so it doesn't have anything to with what era you are from. Honestly I don't care what everyone else is doing every minute of their day therefore there is no need to twitter. Im not even one to blog I just found this really interesting.
I was born in 1986 and everyone seems to be twittering but I don't so it doesn't have anything to with what era you are from. Honestly I don't care what everyone else is doing every minute of their day therefore there is no need to twitter. Im not even one to blog I just found this really interesting.
I understand how you feel but that doesnt stop me from being addicted to twitter. I think its because twitter is more than just finding out what your doing, its about posting your opinion on real life topics in-real life time! Its also about intriging everyone's interest on something going on in your life, maybe something that would normally take you repeating it 50 times to find out what everyone else thinks.... Now while so many people still arent getting it, and I still havent been able to convince everyone i know to join this craze, I still believe that once everyone tries it and gets it they'll realize how practical and fun it is to-TWEET!
twitter is for people who have lots of time to chat about trivia. maybe it's good when u want to announce u landed a job or had a baby. but from what i see, it's mostly trivia chat. who has time for this stuff?!?!
I understand how you feel but that doesnt stop me from being addicted to twitter. I think its because twitter is more than just finding out what your doing, its about posting your opinion on real life topics in-real life time! Its also about intriging everyone's interest on something going on in your life, maybe something that would normally take you repeating it 50 times to find out what everyone else thinks.... Now while so many people still arent getting it, and I still havent been able to convince everyone i know to join this craze, I still believe that once everyone tries it and gets it they'll realize how practical and fun it is to-TWEET!
I understand how you feel but that doesnt stop me from being addicted to twitter. I think its because twitter is more than just finding out what your doing, its about posting your opinion on real life topics in-real life time! Its also about intriging everyone's interest on something going on in your life, maybe something that would normally take you repeating it 50 times to find out what everyone else thinks.... Now while so many people still arent getting it, and I still havent been able to convince everyone i know to join this craze, I still believe that once everyone tries it and gets it they'll realize how practical and fun it is to-TWEET!
Jim,
Very entertaining blog about Twitter. I have to agree with you with what I call the useless Tweets as far as someone going to happy hour or what they had for breakfast. However if done right with something thats actually news worthy or pertains to your followers interests then it is a valuable tool.
Thanks to Twitter I've been notified of breaking news, new products that have launched and its helped me to network immensely with people from across the country. It even allows people to see your "human" side as oppose to all business.
I've even used Twitter as a valuable tool for my business where I require my clients to Tweet me everything they have eaten so I can keep better assist them achieving there fitness goals.
Go ahead and try twitter just make sure you Tweet something that is of interest to us like how your skipping happy hour to head to the studio.
Thanks Jim! Suddenly I don't feel so alone. I do not understand this obsession with documenting the minute-by-minute details of life. And why would anyone want to read it? I don't care what you had for breakfast or lunch or dinner . . . I have enough trouble deciding what to have for my own breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't confuse me. If you think about it, Twitter is just another version of "reality" TV -- a means of making ourselves feel important by thinking that the minutiae of our days is of interest to the world. Let’s face it, half the time our own families don't want to know the details! Unless your President or Mrs. Obama what you're doing at this moment isn't that great, so I say, keep it to yourself. Please.
I was born in 1986 and everyone seems to be twittering but I don't so it doesn't have anything to with what era you are from. Honestly I don't care what everyone else is doing every minute of their day therefore there is no need to twitter. Im not even one to blog I just found this really interesting.
I was born in 1986 and everyone seems to be twittering but I don't so it doesn't have anything to with what era you are from. Honestly I don't care what everyone else is doing every minute of their day therefore there is no need to twitter. Im not even one to blog I just found this really interesting.
I've never tweeted. I don't belong to Myspace or Facebook. I don't feel I'm missing out on anything. Where is the real art of being able to socialize with others by actually talking to them on the phone or better yet in person.
Looks like we are on the same side for this twitter thing.
I am not a fan of it either. I made an account a while ago to try it, and then deleted the account - it is just not for me. I am not crazy about celebrities. And like you, I am also NOT interested to know when someone is in the bathroom at 9 in the morning...
For writing a short statement of "what's up", I think enter in the "what's on your mind" box in facebook to share it is pretty enough. By the way, I don't even bother with myspace, too many bad reputation from some kids using it, and end up being raped, or even killed from some strangers.
BUT, to be fair, I just watch a news last night from your guys about the cupcake car business. They use twitter to promote their business, and end up the cupcakes sell like crazy.
May be this twitter thing is best to be used in small/medium business.
I'm not interested in facebook, myspace or twitter. No one needs to know what I'm doing at all times of the day, or nor do I need to know what other people are doing. Is there such a thing as privacy anymore??
Jim,
I'm 24 and I hate them all twitter, facebook, my space. It seems like people, willingly, are signing up for, what seems to me to be, a horrible and tedious job... It's just sad how people worry more about complete strangers than themselves... for those of you who do use these things I say experience your own life not others.
Cindy
I completely, 110% agree about most people's idiotic, pointless, boring updates, both on Twitter AND Facebook. BUT...it's all about HOW you use it. And for ME, that means smartly manipulating it to my advantage. I only joined Twitter a month ago and have tweeted ONCE. What I find rewarding, though, is learning inside RELEVANT information about OTHERS. Knowledge is power. You can "lurk" (ok, stalk) and just soak up the info.
The main example going through my head is looking for employment. As someone who's currently unemployed, there's potential benefits to my immersing myself in the -- ugh, do I have to say it? -- TWEETS of people who work at places I have an interest in. You can even find flat-out job offers on there. You get an inside idea of workplaces from the comfort of your living room. Who knows, you could even develop "virtual" relationships with people in your field. The potential is limitless on Twitter if you're smart and savvy...and NOT on there just to report that you're bummed it's raining again.
I completely, 110% agree about most people's idiotic, pointless, boring updates, both on Twitter AND Facebook. BUT...it's all about HOW you use it. And for ME, that means smartly manipulating it to my advantage. I only joined Twitter a month ago and have tweeted ONCE. What I find rewarding, though, is learning inside RELEVANT information about OTHERS. Knowledge is power. You can "lurk" (ok, stalk) and just soak up the info.
The main example going through my head is looking for employment. As someone who's currently unemployed, there's potential benefits to my immersing myself in the -- ugh, do I have to say it? -- TWEETS of people who work at places I have an interest in. You can even find flat-out job offers on there. You get an inside idea of workplaces from the comfort of your living room. Who knows, you could even develop "virtual" relationships with people in your field. The potential is limitless on Twitter if you're smart and savvy...and NOT on there just to report that you're bummed it's raining again.
I dont know what the big deal about twitter is my friend has one and I juss think its a waste of time I got a MySpace page and I am happy with just having that.
I think twitter is a lot of twaddle. What a huge waste of time. I tried it for the experience and it just isn't woth it. I really don't think anyone, other than my wife, really gives a damn about my everyday comings and goings, and I don't care about anyone elses. There are better and more important things to do than sit on my rear staring at a screen and banging away on a keyboard daily. If you have strong convictions about something, take it to the street and do something. Tweeting it just gets head nods and too often juvenile responses. Also, do you really think celebrities are sitting around pecking on a keyboard just to let you know all the really important things going on in their lives. I don't think so. Their staffers tell you what they want you to know. Unfortunately, blogs, twitter and other social information forms are all turning into AOL type chat rooms for those without a life. Wow, now I'm doing it. OK, here goes my last tweet and I going to use this blog to do it.
"I have to pee now so I am quitting but after that I'm going to help a friend and maybe have a real conversation about the world."
TWIT = totally worthless information tipster
NIT-WIT = Non intelligent tipster - worthless information too
TWITTING like a twit.
But I loved the Pet Rock.
With so many already established social networking sites out there, what's the point. Instead of creating more sites, they should all combine in to one brain mushing site "You Twit-Face Space".
If we were all to sign up and try to keep up with all these sites then we wouldn't have a life to report on. These sites should shut down, if for even just one day, and force us to live life instead of reporting it. Let's leave the reporting to handsome newscasters. ;)
-Lee
It's o k don't feel bad about it.. personally i don't twitter either. i just don't get the point of it.
Hmm...then what's this???
http://twitter.com/JimWatkinsWPIX
At first, I thought Twitter was a waste of time and url space. Now I use it to vent about a bad experience somewhere or at a product or about a person. You only put the info in you want, so its kind of anonymous.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I dont want to cause arguments. I use Twitter to discuss specific topics. Its less creepy than using chat rooms because noone really hits on you.
Jim,
At first I didn't understand Twitter either. But if you look at it from the other side, i.e. receiving rather than sending info, it can be a good tool. I use it as a newsfeed. I "follow" certain news feeds, my favorite sports teams, and some select podcasts so I know when they are updated. In this way, I can keep current on the things I am interested in...and if I want additional information, I click on the "tinyurl" for the story.
Regards, Mike
I know what Twitter is, but I don't use it, and I don't care. Your not the only one who doesn't twitter, ESPN NBA analyst, and co-host of ESPN's Pardon the Interruption Michael Wilbon hates twitter.
I've received several invitations to join friends in their social networking sites. I sent the following e-mail to everyone and now I don't receive the invites.
After reading the linked article:
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090218/ap_on_hi_te/facebook_sharing
I have decided to share my thoughts on Social Networking Sites.
This is a relatively new phenomenon that seems to feed into people's need to display themselves in public. Celebrities have that ability almost at will, while the rest of us wannabees have no option if we haven't any particular talent. We want our 15 minutes of fame and we'll get it any way we can.
However, the upsurge in Social Networking Sites (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, MySpace), has brought about a new and disturbing trend. While we may feel a need to display ourselves, we may overstep bounds of propriety and confidentiality. In addition, we are admitting that the friends whom we have met through actual physical social interaction are not sufficient to us. We must post on line our meagre accomplishments with the intention of interesting people who may never otherwise have met us. But to what end?
For those of us who are free of physical disabilities and able to go out into the world and interact with other people, social networking sites are a pointless exercise. I think I have enough friends without having to fish on line for more. If one does not, then one must examine one's own character to discover why. But to display on line on what is a very public forum things about ourselves that we may later wish we had kept private is a dangerous sort of exhibitionism.
We currently have e-mail and instant messaging and chat rooms and telephones and snail mail and for me, personally, I think these are sufficient. I keep in touch with friends, relatives, acquaintances, clients and vendors through these means. I feel no need to display myself or my accomplishments (or lack thereof) on line for the world to see. If, in the future, my accomplishments (if any) skyrocket me into the public eye, I will deal with that in my own, personal, Scorpion-minded way.
For those of you who have joined one or more Social Networking sites, I hope that you do so with discretion. There is just so much information the world should be able to access about you before your privacy and, possibly, your identity are violated. I only ask that should you join such a site, you do not request that I join you there. I am content with e-mail and chat and phone calls. I treasure my anonymity in a world full of celebrity wannabees, and I make every effort to keep my personal information personal and confidential.
Maybe you all are "against" Twitter because the people you know are all dullards. I follow a fantastic list of friends, acquaintances and celebs and I am always entertained by the smart, funny, interesting stuff that they throw on to Twitter.
Surround yourself with bright, humorous people and maybe you'll get it.