with documenting your every thought... but I can assure you, they're not all diamonds. 'Roman is having an OK day, and bought a Coke Zero at the gas station. Raise the roof.’ Who gives a rat's ass?” – Easy A (2010) This quote from Easy A never fails to make me laugh because of how true it is, especially the way that it calls out the narcissistic tendencies of our generation. Although this quote is referring to Facebook status updates, it also adequately describes a lot of peoples’ feeling about Twitter (particularly how those that don’t participate in Twitter feel about it). While it is easy to see Twitter as just another outlet for people to broadcast various details about their thoughts and lives, there really is more to this social networking site then just that. Twitter is all about connecting people and resources with one another through short 140 character updates.
While much of what Twitter is, does have to do with this overwhelming need for our generation to publish their every thought and action for their peers to read, It also has a lot to do with our generation’s growing participatory culture. According to Jenkins, participatory culture has to do making people feel like their contributions matter. Twitter connects people to more than just the people around them; it expands their reach to the rest of the world and allows them to connect with a global audience.
After a semester on Twitter, I don’t really feel as though I’m connecting with the world, but that’s mostly because I don’t let just anyone follow me or see my tweets. I’m mostly followed by my friends and a few random organizations, however, this unique connection with them is just another way to see what random little things are happening in their lives – usually funny little quips. The connection to businesses, organizations, and breaking news acts as a great way for me to stay connected with the world and know what’s going on without having to sit down and turn on the television or open up a newspaper (although I should probably do a bit more of both).
I find it interesting that you participated in twitter all semester long yet you never let anyone read your tweets or follow you. I am not very educated with the whole twitter thing but I know all of my close friends certainly love it. Is this a trend you followed all semester? Placing a quote online followed by your opinion on it? Being a new person on Twitter was it hard to understand at first, I technically have a twitter account but have only used it once or twice because I am completely lost on the site. Props to you for sticking to it even though it wasn't the easiest thing to follow. This many not be much of a "comment" and more so question based but overall I enjoyed your last post. Will you continue to use twitter, and possible allow for people to "follow" you and read your tweets?
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