Sorry to hear you think the majority of people don't have anything useful to say on Twitter, Jerry - perhaps you may need to look at who you're following and how you're using it?

I've seen little girls find kidney donors because of Twitter; I've seen worried families get good news out of Mumbai before a lot of news channels because of Twitter; I've seen homeless charities raise thousands of dollars because of Twitter.

Maybe I'm missing some point you're making?

 

I must be following the wrong people then, Jerry - I definitely don't see as much as 99% of Tweets from those people as "self-serving drivel". ;-)

I agree that there can be self-promotion on Twitter, but isn't that to be expected when the service is, essentially, a conversation tool? Just like favourite TV and radio stations, if we don't filter the noise channels ourselves then we'll be left with the parts and advertisements we don't want.

 

Would that be to do with the service itself or the Chinese government's Internet censorship policy, Larry?

If websites are being monitored for content that isn't "too kind" about the government, perhaps a service that allows instant views and opinions would be too difficult to monitor, hence the relative lack of Twitter activity in China?

http://asia.cnet.com/blogs/littleredblog/post.htm?id=63002980

http://www.thomascrampton.com/media/will-china-twitter/

 

Great points, Jack, and true of every aspect of social media. It is about the conversation and the interaction, and unless you put the time and effort in, then the "rewards" will be minimal.

Hello @jbowles,

As with anything socially driven, you have to interact to get the real benefit. At this time of writing I see you have 10 tweet updates. Did you *really* think that gave you the perspective and clout to trash a service and its people en masse? Quoting a couple of tweets for credibility doesn't achieve anything--your articles seems written merely for shock value to get some comments. Ironically, with >140 characters it wasn't as worthwhile as many tweets on twitter. I hope you'll actually spend time *using* it before the trashing continues. Otherwise I fear you're simply missing the point.

Cameron, you missed my point completely (and trust me, I am one of the least racist people you could meet).

First, I'm not sure where my question about Chinese government Internet policy is suddenly a racist attack on China the country. As numerous news sites internationally (including some Chinese sites) have mentioned, there is an inherent problem with privacy and free speech when it comes to Internet use in China.

These are simple facts reported in the media - does that make these points racist-led as well?

I'm also trying to see where the aggression part is in my question to Larry. If there is any "aggression" that seems to be coming across here, it could be construed in your view "leave China to the Chinese" - isn't that akin to a warning?

I have no qualms with Chinese people, just like I have no qualms with Asian, Japanes, Indian, American, Canadian, European and any other race or people you wish to mention. What I do have an interest in is how the Internet and social media is used, and that was the basis for my question in the first place.

 

Ego Stroking or Communication. 

Good blog. It reminded me of a thought that has been bouncing around in my head about all these so-called Web 2.0 technologies - blogs, FaceBook, Twitter, etc.  I wonder if people people blog, Tweet, post simply to boost their ego? I know I'm constantly taking inventory. How many followers do I have? How many friends?  How do I get more, more, more? After all, if people were really motivated by communication, would they write or tweet the things they do.  I mean, can you imagine walking up to someone at a party and blurting out, "It's raining outside."  Gee, thanks for the info.

In our celebrity culture, I think Web 2.0 technologies are really about giving people what they really, secretly desire: a little bit of fame and validation. 

And so I agree, get over yourself already. 

 

Interesting conversation fellas!  When I read this post I was laughing out loud because finally someone was writing what I've been thinking.  I've read all about how Twitter has aided in emergency situations and I totally get that.

What I don't get is how do I go about getting through the clutter to find the truly interesting and relevant people to follow?

To PRJack - how do you make those useful connections with like minded people?

To Jerry's point, I really don't care what most of you are doing right this second.  But I do care about marketing my brand and learning how any medium will help.

Thanks Jerry for going against the grain on this topic!

I like what Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee) has mentioned--if someone has interest enough in you to follow you--on any of the social media scenes--why *wouldn't* you follow them back? When ROI appears to be at the forefront of everyone's mind these days, it's pretty clear to see that most people don't regularly "get" what your saying each time--but occasionally they do--and that could be a lead. Why remove yourself from that situation simply because they don't tweet, or whatever, the way you want??

Maybe you guys should get over *yourselves*.

As for sifting through the twitterchatter--I would take a look at twhirl or tweetdeck. They make much better usage of the Twitter search API and can let you find the information you really want. Which may make it easier to deal with the tweets you don't like. You can also check out "Monitter" at http://www.monitter.com/ which is a great listening tool.

You can also use those tools to search out more like-minded tweeps if you are looking for them. Or check out http://twitter.grader.com and look at some of the lists of elite users: scan their bios to find peeps in the same industry etc...

cheers,
@stevenmhall

 

@ Cameron. I'm sorry, Cameron, I'm trying to see your point here. What started out as a bona-fide discussion about Twitter seems to have become embroiled in an anti-Chinese rhetoric, which you seem to think I have. I mentioned it in my original response and I'll mention it again - this is not the case. I offered examples of why Twitter hasn't been taken up on a widescale use in China, and because of that I'm suddenly racist and aggressive? Now I'm imperialistic? I'm just wondering what it is I said that makes you feel this way?

Getting back to the points about social media, Twitter and others (which is the function of this site, after all), I'd disagree with the view of social media being an adjunct. While it's certainly enjoying higher visibility now, it has been around a lot longer. Susan Murphy makes an excellent case here:

http://suzemuse.netfirms.com/2008/12/01/socialmediashift/

I respect your pride and honorable servitude to, and for, your country - this was never questioned. If that is what you feel you would use Twitter to discuss, then I agree it would be difficult to get that across in 140 characters. But again, with all due respect, this wasn't the point I was making in response to either Jerry or Larry. Instead, I suggested that you get out of Twitter what you put into it (much like social media on the whole). If all that's coming across is noise, then perhaps some more filtering needs to be done on the user's side?

@ Jason. I appreciate the endorsement, Jason - thank you. And I'd wholeheartedly agree that perhaps in this case the whole point of social media and its tools is being missed? No offence to Jerry, but while Twitter may not be for him, it does seem to be a blanket statement that 99% of the stream is useless noise.

@ Charles. While I respect your point and opinion, I'd also have to say that if you're meaning yourself when you mention "I'm constantly taking inventory" on your followers, then you're probably not using social media properly to grow your brand. Isn't it more about the quality than quantity?

@ Kim. I'm a huge proponent of what Twitter has to offer in brand building. In answer to your question, I would suggest that instead of simply following blindly to get the numbers up (which many people do), use the Twitter search option. Also, see if that person's profile/bio fits your "needs" - and if there's a link to a blog or website, check that out as well. I've found that people's blogs are an excellent insight into the person they are - the extra time is worth it.

It's sad to see how this discussion has veered off Jerry's original point - hopefully we can get back onto it and discuss the relative merits/non-merits of Twitter's use for each individual or business.

Thanks for reading.

@jbowles -- I think Chris is as close as we seem to have to Miles at this point. I've heard them both live multiple times. He's closer than you might think.

Just because a person can't swing a hammer the right way, and keeps missing the nail, doesn't mean that the hammer sucks, or that the nail is too small.

 Learn to use the tool the right way or move on. No one is twisting your arm.

Just saying.

It should be noted that Social Media Today has several twitter accounts which are regularly updated (but not by Jerry.)

Twitter addicts think they are a protected class, like the elites of TASS and Pravda during the Cold War. Entitled to the top seat in information dissemination. When Obama gets in, you can bet a new technology will be launched like the fabled "blue magic" heroin in "American gangster." Twice as strong, half the price. Where will the twitter pimps like Danny Brown go for their "fix" then? 

Michael Dell says that the web is a zero sum game, and Twitter is part of that. Hearing people evangelize that you need to know how to use it right sort of reminds me of being chased down by the Moonies in airports when I was growing up. Do you really want to engage with people who want to convert you to a life reduced to interruption and 140 characters. I'm going to tell my pastor about this and maybe he will talk about it on Sunday.  

I agree with you. I am going to sign up for Twitter just so I can auto-respond "I don't give a Tweet about you" to everyone who sends me one. If everyone does this, it we can create a sort of "denial of narcissism" attack. Let's hoist those birdbrains with their own 140-character petards.

This really gets my dander up. Not because you feel so negatively about Twitter (though I think you're perspective is ill-informed), but because you're principal of a company whose sites have, according to Robin, several Twitter accounts and runs a Twitterfeed in the sidebar! Jerry, at best that's hypocrisy and ludicrous at worst. Most certainly incongruous.

@jbowles well of course.

Of course I would know nothing about him in "the good old days" because I really started gravitating towards his stylings with the advent of Bitches Brew. The audacity of only picking up with Miles as of '69. So my poor, "un-Milized" self could know nothing about his time with Kenny Clarke, in France back in '57; or how he gigged with Red in St. Louis before he quartet officially got together in 1955. Probably would know nothing of the sounds he combined for with Coltrane, and their on-again-off-again collaborations before C left to start his own thing in the early 60's.

You're right, I'm simply a jazz bumpkin with no personal knowledge or valid opinion about Davis and Botti.

So then it *must* make sense, in the same vein, you're probably to old to be talking about twitter. Or would it be best left at, "we each have our opinions, which are both valid regardless of the fact we disagree...because they're *opinions*."

Not sure if you realize how condescending you come across, putting people on the defensive. With tactics like that, I'm trying to understand why you are in social media, unless you're just trying to get attention through shock and conflict?

-@stevenmhall

Thank you all for your comments.  Obviously, this is a topic that stirs a great deal of passion.  For me, it comes down to the question of whether Twittering is the most productive use of the time I have left on the planet.  Many people obviously spend hours a day tweeting and 'following' others.  There are only so many hours in a day and my cat needs his ears scratched a lot.  

hey jerry

a few weeks ago i wrote about where some of the value of twitter comes from.  i definitely agree that nothing will replace or should attempt to replace a real world friend.  however, i have made several friends through twitter who have helped me out quite a bit.  i'm more of a business twitter user.  i try to provide tips, tactics, ideas, and strategies for social media and/or seo.  im also on twitter to learn.

no question if i could spend time with my friends offline or on twitter i would definitely pick offline, by why do you have to choose?  you don't need to twitter 10 hours a day.  it's easier for some such as myself because i work from a laptop and can just have a twitter client such as twhirl open while i work. 

twitter wont make you taller or sexier (to be debated), however twitter can help you establish yourself as an authority in a particular field.  it can also help you connect with and build relationships with people that you can eventually do business with/collaborate with/learn from.  there is some fun involved, there is some business involved, and part of it a sense of connecting.  you know, i wouldn't have even found this post if it wasn't for twitter :)

i also wrote a post not too long ago on whether or not social networks are bringing us together or keeping us apart.  some of us do spend too much time online, but that is a personal choice.  im an avid traveler and i love people, so i spend more time offline (believe it or not) then I do online connecting with people. 

you may be at a different point in your life where you dont need to build anymore relationships, if you are happy with your current friends and family then that is great.  perhaps you don't need anymore business connections and contacts, but someone such as myself (who is 25) does. ive had the pleasure of interacting and engaging with a lot of smart people through twitter.  people who have influenced how/what i write, how i approach business decisions, what tools i use to measure succcess, etc. (and yes it does help to grow your personal brand).

Personally I like sharing and interacting with people, like when I went to turkey and posted up photos from my trip and then sent them out through twitter, or when I had my little issue with businessweek and the twitterverse supported me and made businessweek reverse a decision, or when I connected with the CMO of best buy re: seo work, or that other time I found out about a fire near my parents house in LA and was able to call them to make sure everything was ok.

for me twitter is a valuable resource, for you it may not be.  different strokes for different folks jerry.  I happen to love Miles Davis, but if I didn't then he's just not for me, just like twitter may not be for you. 

have you created a twitter account and participated?  have you spoken with robin re: the tangible results she has seen through twitter?  you know the only reason I was able to meet robin was because of twitter, tell her i say hello :)

Jacob

 

 

 

 

 

Here are 15 ways Twitter made my life better.

(95 characters to spare.)

 

How would I know if twitter stinks?  I only follow people I care enough about that their humdrum moments resonate with me. Importantly, I appreciate they didn't use the phone for their last tweet because calling is almost impossible in the work environment I'm in.