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Is Twitter Just Another Popularity Contest?

There’s been a lot of talk regarding Twitter the last couple days, and not just on Twitter. ::grin:: If you’ve been following, you know what I mean. If not, then just go with me on this because it’s just a set up and not my main point.

So, what is my point?

I was talking with my friend Jon aka Rev (@revoked) about the last couple of days. I’d been blogging and tweeting more than usual about Twitter itself, which isn’t the norm for me (let’s face it, I’m not known for “serious” ::grin::) and Rev made a comment about disliking the idea of Twitter being a popularity contest — something he discussed as part of a recent Borked podcast.

My first reaction was to immediately say “Twitter’s not a popularity contest!”. But I’ve always been someone who tries to be respectful of other people’s opinions, so I actually said that I could see where he might feel that way and stuck it on background processing as a thought for later.

This morning I finally got the chance to put on the headphones and listen to the podcast for myself.

It’s actually a pretty interesting conversation. Rev’s got his take. Jay (@tesson), Dave (@cdeagle) and Daisy (@DaisyCor3) have their own. I’ll admit they’re friends, but I also think they’re pretty sharp.

Here’s the link. Conversation starts at approx 41 minutes in.

I’d be interested to know your thoughts as well.

2 Comments

  1. Thanks GGD, for those who are too lazy to listen to our words:

    I guess I’m saying two things:

    1. people often twitter, and promote themselves on twitter, to gain followers, like a popularity contest. When it’s a personal account, this practice really grates me.

    2. if you do have a marketable thing to promote on twitter: make a new account for it, and feel free to RT whatever you want.

    it boils down to this: I don’t have a way of filtering your tweets, don’t take advantage of me liking you personally to promote your business. It feels a LOT like you’re trying to sell me Mary Kay, or Knives, or a subscription to your local News Paper.

  2. I have a “small business’, Art related, where Twitter has been a HUGE benefit!

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