I'm not anti-Twitter. I actually tried setting up a Twitter account at one point (I was afraid someone else would claim 'CzarKulifayForever' as a Twitter name if I wasn't at the forefront of the revolution) but, and this is not a joke, everytime I tried to go to the Twitter website my internet search engine would shut down. Apparently Internet Explorer has a better handle on what's good for me than I do myself.
Regardless of my computer babysitter, I am aware that Twitter exists, is popular and has caused media spread controversies by the things posted by various celebrities, politicians and athletes. And while I have to admit I still am not 100% sure of the whole '#' thing (not understanding modern technologies...an undeniable sign of aging) I have been told that Twitter limits you to 140 characters. This immediately brings texting to mind because I text like a 17 year old girl the week before prom. I have mocked these celebrities for not grasping how things would appear to others as they boldly proclaim their ignorance to the masses. So, with this in mind I decided to peruse actual texts residing in my cell phone right now, take them completely out of conversational context, and see what wisdom I could have been bestowing on the world these past couple years rather than the 7 people who mistakenly allowed me to find out their phone numbers. All '#' comments are added post-text to smooth the transition between social medias:
"Oh sweet pumpkin latte'... #iamcoffeesbitch"
"Dairy Queen...JOHNNY NEEDS A BLIZZARD! #godhelpmeImlactoseintolerant"
"I don't have the game to close that fast. I wear women down. #uwonderwhyimsingle"
"More asian racism than Ice Cube's Street Fighter song #workplacehrviolationsrunrampant"
"No one really loses at naked Jell-O wrestling #wellihaveapoint"
"You should come out this way for Taco Bell lunch date. Wrong to think Taco Bell at 7am? #itslike30%realbeefsoshutupilike it"
"I got buns of steel. #completelieineedtodomorelunges"
"I'll be on standby for you. Fiber ready. #seriouslydontaskyoudontwanttoknow"
"You say that now...until you get a naked pic of me embracing a giant stuffed monkey #sometimesievenworryaboutmyself"
I think if my text messages were shared with the world via Twitter, and I was subjected to the criticism of the unforgiving media and public, I would be a lot more forgiving of Rashard Mendenhall. Tweeting is really no different than the quoted line in a newspaper article, just enhanced by modern technology like many other things: it's easier, faster, more far-reaching and potentially more harmful. BUT it is completely normal and I should tone down my judgement. Most people aren't really built for the task of sharing their thoughts with the world and almost everyone would be better off if Twitter had a 24 hour cooling down (or sobering up) period before your tweets posted. I would probably be disowned by most of my family and friends if ESPN was reporting some of the things I've hit the send button on before the tiny, barely audible voice of reason in my head could make itself heard. And only 4 people read my blog (yes, my audience IS growing, thank you for asking), think what kind of embarassment and humiliation I could inflict upon myself and my loved ones if I had a nationwide or global audience? Let that doomsday scenario play out in your head for awhile...Kulifay with a global audience.
On a sidenote (inspired by posting one of my texts above) this blog is itself like Taco Bell: quick, tasty only to those who appreciate the lowest common denominator, full of things that are not what they claim to be, provides no nutritional value, is doing irreparable harm to your health and is going to come back to haunt you...soon. Thank you for thinking outside the blog.
I am anti twitter. For the fact that you are right. Most "Tweets" are poorly thought out one liner texts fueled by your emotional prowess or whatever liquor your drinking or 8 ball your railing up. People that are viewed as iconic figures, almost to the point of false idolization, should never tweet before they run it by their PR person. Maybe we should take all the people who have caused very serious damage through out and put them " on an island" and ask them if they have an famous last words. Why do I feel so strongly about this, because as individuals we are fairly intelligent and can make decisions in decently rational fashion. Although, when you call us the masses we become like mindless lemmings waiting our turn to jump off the cliff. Who would have thought the start of a ridiculous social network could cost someone their life. With the losing of that life it touches many more people than just the dead. So to all the twitter fans out there who follow their celebrity icons minute by minute, think about what your reading because even though they are adored by millions they are still human and therefore flawed. I will end my rant with a text from my phone as well:
ReplyDeleteSorry I don't have a donkey decoder....