Today I wrote a list of things that I hate about Twitter and then deleted it. There was no need to bore you with it, especially not when the gist was so simple. What it boiled down to was that Twitter brings out the worst in me while also negating some of my greatest strengths and taking up too much of my time. The same thing was true of Facebook, so I gave it up, except for the occasional check-ins to keep up with our local school community. It’s time to give up Twitter, too, or at least restrict my usage. I want to take what’s good about Twitter with me, though, and here are some thoughts on that matter.
- I like knowing what’s going on in the world, but I can get most of my news from the newspaper.
- I’ll miss having an easy way to stay in touch with friends, but I’d rather talk face-to-face or on the phone with my friends and family more often and make new friends in the real world.
- Twitter has broadened my perspective. I like listening to voices that are unlike my own and hearing stories that teach me about other cultures and ways of looking at life. Some of voices I’ve enjoyed the most on Twitter are from people whose work is published elsewhere. I will listen for their voices outside of Twitter.
- I am an opinionated person, and I like to write about my opinions. If I’m going to spend my time that way, I might as well do it right and either post my thoughts here or submit my writing for publication. Sure, actual publication would offer a scary number of opportunities for making an ass of myself, but most of the good things in life come with risk. At least in publication I’d have an editor, and if I ever got myself into hot water, I could blame them. That’s what they’re for 😉
If no one ever took risks, Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor.
Neil Simon