Okay I know I was ‘complaining‘ sorta about the noise yesterday, BUT…
So I was on twitter last night… just catching up on friends and stuff. And like I occasionally do on facebook, I was checking out who is friends with my friends… (sounds complicated I know) That would be friends on Twitter not Facebook.
Anyway… I discovered that Barack Obama is on Twitter. I click the button to follow him since I think it could be interesting. Now this morning I get an email letting me know that Barack is following me.
ME!
My voice is not really that important to the Obama campaign… trust me on that one. (I’m Canadian) And it’s probably not even Barack but someone on his staff that (wo)mans the Twitter account. But even so, there was something emotionally satisfying in the thought that a presidential candidate just might care what I have to say (or tweet). (okay he’s a potential presidential candidate.. I do have some clue about American politics)
Looking through my twitter friends I realize that there are a few others there that I might consider higher level individuals (don’t read anything into that statement). It means something that they are following me. Doesn’t that somehow satisfy a human urge for significance. IT DOES FOR ME. Maybe technology really can contribute to our emotional health not just waste our time and resources…. and add to the noise around us.
I know there are all types of social media out there. Facebook is certainly connecting people who wouldn’t otherwise be connected. My wife discovered a brother she hadn’t really known before.
I’m really starting to like Twitter. It feels more like a conversation than correspondence. Maybe if a blog felt more that way others would get involved. Who knows?
So tell me… would you say things differently if you knew someone you respected was listening?
#1 by Wendy Piersall on May 01, 2008 - 11:07 pm
Of course I would follow you Dave, you’re pretty dang important too!
#2 by DaveOlson on May 01, 2008 - 11:55 pm
Wendy, since I know it must be like 1:00am in chicago and you’re taking time to leave a comment, I definitely feel important.
#3 by Alex Shalman on May 04, 2008 - 8:31 am
Hey Dave,
Long time no talk my friend. I was recently listening to a Tony Robbins tape (and just discovered a Rabbi said this too), that if you want to make huge growth in your life STICK, than ‘act as if’ you are a public figure.
This would involve every action and every word to be deliberate ‘as if’ someone important is listening at all times. That’s sure to accelerate your growth!
#4 by Tammy Lenski on May 05, 2008 - 10:28 am
Hey there, Dave – I like the way you describe the Twitter experience as more conversation than correspondence. When I read that, I found myself nodding — that’s exactly what it feels like.
I wasn’t sure at first about Twitter’s signal to noise ratio, but the more I use it and get familiar with it, the more I can begin to see a place for it in my world. Still experimenting, but as I find more and more of my pals on it, and follow some cool folks with interesting things to teach me, the more it grows on me.
Glad you’re there too!
#5 by DaveOlson on May 06, 2008 - 3:26 pm
Alex…. great advice man. Act like you want to be.
Tammy… I think with Twitter you can regulate the noise to a large degree. I don’t get messages sent to my phone and only check when I’m online sitting at the computer. But I love it.