Why I don’t like Twitter But Stay Involved
I am an active Twitter user posting multiple times most days. I have set up several accounts: @revmarkbrown (6,109 followers), @Bible4U (6,584 followers), @AnglicanChurch (151 followers) and @Prayer4U (431 followers). But to be honest I really don’t like it. Why? I am really not that interested in sharing the minor details of my day.. the ‘had breakfast.. cereal was amazing’ kind of stuff that Twitter usage demands.
But then recently I received the following message from a good friend, Seth:
For me Twitter has been a revelation as I have gained insights in the day to day thinking of many of my ministry hero’s. The way they talk, think and their basic positivity has rubbed off. I feel closer to them. I follow them as they follow Christ. There are things Mark that you have in you life that I am only aware of, am exposed to because of these cyber tools. Twitter for me is one of the best for finding out what great leaders do in their day. What goes on in their head is better than whats on TV. These are men under great stress yet they have an opportunity to give a faith filled update of their day. As I have emulated their behavior (not necessarily a bad thing) I have gained a tool to connect people to the Vision of my local church and to pass on valuable resources as some of the most resourced men and women in the world pass them on my way (via blogs and twitter). The chatter that is filling my heart and mind is starting to combat that of the media of the day.
And that is why I stay involved. As much as I dislike Twitter, with its 140 character limitation and oodles of get rich schemes that bombard you, I can see that it is one potentially powerful way of influencing. So though it isn’t a natural space for me, something I would by choice be involved with, I stay involved as I believe leaders need to expose themselves to new innovations, explore them, and make them work. It is essential to seek to understand not only this generation, but to grasp where things are heading.
And where are we heading with Twitter? How will it affect communication?
1) Synchronous communication - sharing events, news as it is happening, real time.
2) Simplicity and brevity. I don’t have time, make it quick.
3) News reporting in the hands of non journalists (huge shift still to fully bite).
4) Popularity defined, not only by advertising pulling power but the ability to attract followers.
5) Will add to the emerging reality of online community with virtual connections becoming as significant as face to face.
Filed under Social Media/Web 2.0, resourcing | |
8 Responses to “Why I don’t like Twitter But Stay Involved”
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Hey, Mark,
Twitter brought me to your blog, along with an interest in why others do it in spite of not really liking it. I’m one who is quetioning the value since I haven’t seen an increase in website visits to my own blog/website. I’ll stick it out because those who’s opinions I respect say I should. I’m still waiting for the point.
Anyway….we’ll see.
Serena
All good points, Rev. I sat here a few days ago wondering why I would sit here and ‘tweet’. But like your friend said, it opens a window to a world that many people never see. And yes, you’re in the marketing business, too…but you’re pitching a product that is a matter of life or death…not plump lips. Keep up the good work!
Just today a friend of mine said this, and I agree totally - check this out: http://tinyurl.com/m3vsth - what does twitter have to do with koinonia?
You make some interesting points reverend but I’m sure many of your readers would be more interested in a comment headlined “anglican minister has no ’second life’ in new zealand bible society. Is it true your character deletion from second life paralleled in real life with you stepping down from another pulpit?
Twitter is a tiny slice of life and even your comment about Twitter is a tiny reflection of life in general.
I’m glad you are still involved, even if you don’t like it - but hey, isn’t THAT a comment on life?
I don’t like work, but I still go.
I don’t like church but I stay in the loop.
I don’t like carrots but I still eat them.
MOST of the hours and minutes in the day are consumed with ‘every day’ stuff. We wash, shower, travel, eat, daydream, wait, work, fill in forms, refil the toilet roll etc. There are SOME highlights to reflect on every day and the minutae of Twitter reminds me to be mindful in all that I do, that every minute (and every breath), whether mundane or “Awesome” is a gift, that everyone is very human, and that small things do matter.
I don’t like Twitter either, but to me, it’s a great leveller. It reminds me that even the most ‘exciting’ people have boring lives. I don’t need to hanker for some ‘perfect’ or super exciting life, because life itself is wonderful, starting with my morning porridge and a good coffee. To me, knowing about the small things helps me keep the bigger things in perspective.
We’re all involved in things we don’t like because of the bigger picture, the greater good, the longer term. Twitter is the perfect example of this - as long as we can identify what is the bigger/greater/longer gain.
And it does seem that most who start with Twitter don’t continue. BBC article today: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8089508.stm
Thank you for your ministry and honesty - Great post. I too have, at times, been overwhelmed by all the social media I am now participating in (my wife can attest!)
Aside from seeing the “normalcy” in other’s lives, one by-product I have noted has been my prayer life. The posts on Facebook and Twitter have given me more to pray about for my friends and acquaintances than ever before. In some ways this is sad (actually, in a lot of ways); but at the same time, some feel more at ease with expressing themselves virtually than in person.
The challenge for me (all of us) is to boldly and purposefully take steps to follow that virtual contact up with an in-person one. Only then can we truly express Christ’s love in a tangible way. (My 2-cents)
Blessings!
Mark -
You may already have seen this - it’s part of an issue of Time magazine on Twitter. This article is called, “Twittering in Church, with the Pastor’s OK.”
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1895463,00.html
It shows how Twitter can be used even within a group sitting in the same room, to enhance the experience for all of them.
Caryn/Mimsey