Twitter - improving people's lives?

[Tooting Gull]

Wondered what everyone else feels about this.

I had some early prejudices about Twitter (which I admit I am on, and use occasionally, with relatively few people I follow, or that follow me).

Principally they were that most/many of the comments were inane observations from self-obsessed celebrities; that is was a pure sales tool, another load of ads; a particularly wearisome form of self-promotion; and an arse-lickers charter, in the style of Smashie and Nicie (you're great mate, no you're the best). I would say all of these still exist in abundance.

But I also saw the potential for good stuff, notably witty one-liners and interesting thoughts from those capable of them, and bite-sized and instantaneous information about stuff you were intererested in. This, too, is definitely out there.

However, even the good stuff is now being undermined as the longer the phenomenon has gone on (not unlike this board, and society in general) the language and insults gets worse, the rows are breaking out, people are quitting because of the abuse they are getting etc etc.

What do you all make of it?

 

[Rich Suvner]

so far the only really useful aspect of twitter i've found, is the ability to follow a breaking news story in real time - with comments brought together from all walks of life

eg watched the CMS transfer come together over the course of a few hours and was bloody exciting. was also useful during the London riots, entering stuff like #balhamriot or #claphamriot to keep an eye on whether my neighbourhood was going up in flames

 

[Chris_Highwind]

I do use it quite a bit! Just need to be selective to who you follow I guess(Really need to clean up my followed list!) The Big Sam is the best thing since sliced bread though

 

[Mendoza]

I started using it a lot when Brighton did the pre season in Portugal, I had registered a while back, but didnt really get it or use it that much.

It probably doesnt IMPROVE peoples lives, but I think it is fun using. It is great for breaking news as someone has said already.

I find it good when you watch a TV programme and see what other people think. Frozen Planet being the last one I did this for.

The best thing is seeing what people write when they ask Craig MacKail-Smith for a mention/retweet

 

[hans kraay fan club]

The most HIDEOUS phenomenum is the proliferation of toe-curlingly gringe-worthy, requests for Retweets.

If anyone on here is one of the sad, sad individuals who is likely to have ever written any of the following in the past, present or future, please, please desist:

@12CMS12 My birthday today. RT for you biggest fan?

@12CMS12. A RT from the Albions greatest player, would make my day.

@insertnameofminorcelebrity. Its my first shift at KFC today. RT please for your biggest fan?


No. No. No. No. NO.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

The best thing is seeing what people write when they ask Craig MacKail-Smith for a mention/retweet

that is honestly one of the best things about Twitter.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Twitter is easily ignored. One triviality too far. Bollocks to it.

 

[Tooting Gull]

The most HIDEOUS phenomenum is the proliferation of toe-curlingly gringe-worthy, requests for Retweets.

If anyone on here is one of the sad, sad individuals who is likely to have ever written any of the following in the past, present or future, please, please desist:

@12CMS12 My birthday today. RT for you biggest fan?

@12CMS12. A RT from the Albions greatest player, would make my day.

@insertnameofminorcelebrity. Its my first shift at KFC today. RT please for your biggest fan?


No. No. No. No. NO.

Couldn't agree more. It's the modern-day celebrity-mad equivalent of doffing your cap to the squire.

 

[Tooting Gull]

If it was my first day at KFC, I'd want a retweet from Colonel Sanders himself.

 

[Braders]

well I use it to check news,rumours , cricket and football scores - saves me trawling through lots of sites , quite funny in times too , but starting to get filled with loads of spammy bollocks like Facebook

won't be long before I knock FB on the head and concentrate on G+/Twitter.

 

[tinx]

I started using it a lot when Brighton did the pre season in Portugal, I had registered a while back, but didnt really get it or use it that much.

It probably doesnt IMPROVE peoples lives, but I think it is fun using. It is great for breaking news as someone has said already.

I find it good when you watch a TV programme and see what other people think. Frozen Planet being the last one I did this for.

The best thing is seeing what people write when they ask Craig MacKail-Smith for a mention/retweet

Your Michael Smith one to CMS yesterday cracked me up.

 

[Randsta]

I get all my news from what's trending on twitter follow me lol @themashfactor

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I see no point to it whatsoever.

 

[Mendoza]

Your Michael Smith one to CMS yesterday cracked me up.

Ha, cheers. that was this morning and he still hasnt retweeted!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Ha, cheers. that was this morning and he still hasnt retweeted!

I find your's and Edna's spoof ones to each other mildly AMUSING. The earnest ones to @insertminorcelebrity make me die a little inside!

 

[Brovion]

It's useful when NSC goes down as you can get a reason, but overall it makes NSC look like a MENSA meeting.

 

[stewardxxx]

Companies are using it more for customer service, If the query isn't too urgent and you don't fancy sitting in a call queue for ages it's a good channel.

My work involves different channels of customer contact and the next few years are going to be interesting for social media!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Companies are using it more for customer service, If the query isn't too urgent and you don't fancy sitting in a call queue for ages it's a good channel.

My work involves different channels of customer contact and the next few years are going to be interesting for social media!

They're going to have to come up with a name other than 'social media' then. Its like the polls feature on Facebook. When companies move in and start asking Coke or Pepsi? its time to find a new social medium.