Weekend Assignment #303: To Tweet Or Not To Tweet

From For Ellipsis

"If computers get too powerful we will organize them into committees. That will do them in." -Unknown


Weekend Assignment #303: Do you tweet, why or why not?

Extra Credit:If you use Twitter, how many people follow you? How many do you follow?

-Karen, author of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

To Tweet Or Not To Tweet... Good Question.

Ok, I admit it. When I first heard about Twitter I had to wonder what the big deal was. Ok, so you can find out in real time that "Henry" in Boise, has just milked his cow. Or maybe you could find out within a matter of seconds that "Simone" in Fairbanks has just finished her breakfast, but really, why would I care? Ok, it did intrigue me that someone famous could share their day, I mean that would be pretty glamorous right? I mean, it's going straight to the source, without all those pesky tabloids to make it all up, or airbrush the heck out of it. So, ok, I could see that as fun. Hmmm, I thought, maybe there was something to it.

So, one day last summer, in a fit of absolute boredom, I decided to check things out on Twitter. I created an account and took a look around. I found a couple friends, such as Karen, had an account, so I "followed" her. Then I found a couple other folks that I knew and I "followed" them, and then, just for fun, looked around to see who else was on Twitter. Anderson Cooper... cool! Regis and Kelly... cool! Oooh... maybe there are Soap Opera stars on here!

Yep. I found a couple soap stars. I am currently following a left leaning diva, and a right leaning diva, and to my profound surprise, enjoying both sides very much. I even had an small interaction with the left leaning diva, which was really pleasant, because she actually asked my opinion on something to do with the state we both reside in. She asked... my... opinion. It was nice to feel of value for a moment to someone I have admired for so many years. Just nice. You know? It was like standing in line at the grocery store, or at Starbuck's, except better, because should I turn around while in line at either of those two places, and see a soap diva, I don't think I would be likely to speak my mind. Believe it or not, I am basically a shy girl, but I do try to overcome it. Every time I step out on the ledge, and the ledge doesn't come crashing to the earth, means I have grown a little bit.

So I guess what I am saying is, what began as an experiment has become yet another way to reach out and experience life. Like being on the Internet in general. People are just people, but we humans do tend to put up lots of walls. I know about walls, but allowing myself new experiences proves my insecurities wrong, and that feels good. Does that make sense?

So to answer your question Karen, YES. I TWEET.

Extra Credit: I follow 151 and I have 41 followers.

:)

-Carly