APRIL 3, 2008

Why I Am Resisting Twitter

I am in New York attending BlogHer Business ‘08, an annual conference that focuses on the role of social media in marketing, outreach and corporate communications. It was exactly a year ago, during BlogHer Business ‘07, that I first learned about Twitter. “Who’s Twittering right now?”, one of the BlogHer founders asked during the opening keynote.  A smattering of hands went up. If she asks that question again this year, I am sure that at least half of the room will have hands up.

Mine will be down.

I don’t have anything against Twitter in theory - I support any technology that brings people together, allows for instantaneous communication, and equalizes individuals and corporations. I’ve seen how our clients use Twitter and have followed various topics and conversations. I am aware of Twitter etiquette and know the glossary. However, I simply don’t have time for it.

On any given day, I’ve got email to check (work and personal accounts), blogs to update, Facebook to scan (though I admit I mostly use it for Scrabulous - ssshh), Google Reader feeds to absorb, and - gasp! - people to call and work to do.  Throw in a tendency to get addicted to technology, to connecting… and that’s a busy day.  I put Twitter in the same category as cigarettes: Things I Have To Avoid Because I Don’t Know If I Will Be Able To Stop Once I Start.

I am not the only one taking a pass. Simon Waldman has similarly resisted the lure of Twitter:

But, the more I think about it, the more my resistance to Twitter and its ilk is as relevant as some people’s enthusiasm. And I give three reasons.

• The need to focus. What’s with this need for people to constantly provide a narrative of their life, rather than just living it? Actually, I understand the need…but I have the curse of a butterfly brain, and frankly the fewer distractions the better. If I go through the day thinking I should be telling people what I’m up to, I’d get even less done than I do already.
• Too much information. Too little value . If I twittered all day, and followed others tweets all night, would I really be any wiser, happier or wealthier?
• The challenge of brevity. You know that quote ”I’ve written you a long note, because I don’t have time for a short note”. I have that problem with Twitter and Facebook status. I trip over myself trying to be concise and then the moment has passed.

Amen, Simon.

I realize that my lack of Twittering will cap my social media currency.  And I am trying not to think about the conversations out there that I am missing. But I think the rest of my life will thank me.