It’s not that twitter is anything special. Millions of people writing different types of content for other people to read. Hopefully interesting, purposefully ego-centred (especially in their ego-bashing way), deliberately witty, it’s all there.
Why do I go on twitter? There are some times when I just can’t face keeping something in that bothers me. I need an outlet, and nobody is around. At least I can guarantee that there are about 250 random strangers who will at least READ what I have to say. I used to not question this tact. And yet now, something else is emerging for me. There are times when twitter completely consumes my life and I tweet every little thing that happens. Sometimes when I’m having a bad day, my mind fills up with “How can I tweet without seeming to complain, bitch, moan or generally collapse into this horrible feeling I have?”. I use wit, I use banter, I say something sarcastic. And yet, none of it seems to make an impact on how I’m feeling. I take off the rose-tinted glasses, and I put on the violet-tinted ones.
And there are times when I know that my feet are on the ground. Things seem great, and I can’t help but want to inspire people. Impressions enter my mind. Thoughts pass through. Someone on the street smiles at me and for a moment I see myself more clearly. Who would want to keep this to themselves? If twitter seems naively narcissistic, then maybe it is. But for each of us, this “narcissistic tendency” may have been incorrectly framed. What we say DOES matter. Each of us does have a gift to bring to the world. Why should we not find a way to bring that gift to others? Even if it seems, at first, missing any real depth or relevance. There are many information harvesters who tweet links, videos and stories. There are many gurus and inspirational leaders who tweet inspiration, purpose and vision. And still there are those who share their lives in such a way that we are left touched, moved and inspired by what they share. Whether you be any one of these types, twitter reminds ME that we are all uniquely human in a very messy, uncontrollable and earth-shattering way.
This is why I come back and tweet my 10 tweets a day. I am learning that I am connected to a planet full of individuals born of possibility, and reminding me that we each have a message to give (whatever format that takes, and whether it was originally ours). It is often in my greatest “mistake” and most arrogant “narcissism” that I can begin to get who I am as a person among many.
Like it or lump it!
…and if all else fails, tweet it!
well put.
perhaps the most narcissistic stance one can take is to pretend as if one isn’t narcissistic!
I’m still trying to find my natural stride with twitter…
I suppose each person has to find a way to make it their own.
either way, you’re enthusiasm and openness are refreshing and contagious.
keep it up!
j