Twitter Tweats and Networking updates

[Shu]

Before I start this, this is not a rant, but rather I want to see your opinion on the matter.

So since 2003 and on I've seen the rise of Blogs and now there is a "newer" thing in which has occurred in our society. Most networking sites are now incorporating twitter like status updates in which you can write whatever the heck you want in them. I use this too, so I'm not bashing it.. but I'm noticing a trend. Twitter in which was founded on the soul purpose of internet "following" or in my opinion social stalking, was used in order to promote people's ideas upon certain subject. Then it was used to basically update exactly where someone was going, where they were eating, who they were sleeping with, what sport they were playing, what game they were playing..

Well Facebook/Myspace and most networking saw the ratings of this and incorporated it into their own systems, but to me this a bit much. I understand I don't "have" to like it to enjoy facebook, but I have a few opinions about it I thought I would share.

So what are your opinions on it, I'll share mine in a bit. Do you think it is a bit much to Tweet or Facebook update for any and everything? Make some good points for me.

 

[Mitsuki]

Twitter...ugh. I don't even know what it looks like but it's already annoying me whenever I hear it. Before I begin, I would like to say that I don't mean to offend anyone.

Alright I guess I'll be frank here - I'm not into the whole 'status updates' thing like the majority. I've had Facebook for a few years now but never actually used it until less than a week ago. I've had a total of maybe 5 status updates...and they weren't about 'what I was doing at the time' but more like 'what's going on at the time' and even then I was wondering, "Man, is anyone actually gonna even read this? Oh well, whatever." I guess you could say I'm one of those people who have that "who cares?" mindset when it comes to status updates, but then I have to admit I've actually taken a little liking to Facebook since last week. Not because I actually enjoy sitting for a few hours and reading what people are having for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and keeping tabs on their daily life (that's just a general example...if someone here that's on my friends list actually do those updates, I apologize, I'm not targeting you) but because aside from the 'status', I can actually use that as a 'comment' feature instead.

I care more about going to people's Wall to comment rather than updating my status. It's a bit more personal on that level, I guess. I would rather 'write on their wall' than 'talk to a wall' with 15-30 status updates a day and who knows if people actually enjoy reading those. That just gets to be a bit too much in my opinion and okay, if your friends really enjoy reading your random stuff then cool. But that just isn't for me. So there's one guarantee for sure - you'll never see me do a status update more than once a day, if even that. Not because I'm worried about annoying my friends and bombarding their home page with random things from me, but because it just doesn't interest me in general.

So while I am starting to like Facebook (I used to be soooo lost with that thing), I'm only liking the fact that I can comment on my family and friends' Wall, and then THEIR friends (who are also on my friends list) can comment on what I have to say if they wish. Two of my aunts, my brother, and I were actually doing just that on my brother's Wall and it pretty much became like a short discussion more than anything. Every once in awhile I'll comment on a few people's status too, but only if the subject interests me or really amused me. But on a large scale, I just don't like talking to a wall.

Now, when it comes to people using the status updates to pretty much say what's on their mind and maybe do a little philosophy about the difference between mathemathics and life (lol Julius), then those I like. You could say the whole "Please put a bit more effort to your post and elaborate more since this is considered spam" have really grown into me. =] Jokes aside though, I would definitely dig those status updates more when they are used to trigger a bit of my brain cells.

So that's what Facebook and Myspace is pretty much all about to me, personally. A comments feature and browsing peope's photos and commenting on them. I'm not saying that people should also start looking at it that way - that's their own thing and if it entertains them then okay. If they're really into the whole apps thing and giving pillow fights and requesting food fights and collecting fishes from friends, then okay. I don't understand the whole concept but I just can't bring myself to sit there and participate with the events.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

I don't have my own personal Twitter, but I did make one for FFF that I update. However, with tweeting I only have gaming companies and FF/KH sites being followed on there so it gives me an insight to what is happening as well, so I don't get those annoying messages about what people are doing. I think Twitter is easier to follow specific groups than on Facebook.

As for Facebook, I don't use it much. I have it but I generally don't see much point to it, if I really wanted to talk to someone I'd just get on msn or text/phone them or something, it really does my head in when people post everything. I don't mind when people say something interesting but stuff like "brb. going for a drink" I mean really, who the hell cares?

 

[Bun]

If someone wants to update every other second of their life, that is fine by me - I'll just put your status updates on hide. It's not something I care about terribly. I'll roll my eyes every now and then, but to be honest, it really doesn't matter. What other people do with their networking accounts, as long as it's of no harm to me, is their business.

 

[Dionysos]

I don't use Twitter, and don't really know much about what it involves. However I will speak about Facebook, which is what I do seem to use these days.

I don't update my status comments at all really.. Not even once a day. This is partly because a) my days are rarely interesting at all and b) I don't want to annoy people by flooding their homepage.

I think I have updated my status once or twice mainly to show my location. For example (and coming to think about it this incident was probably the only time I updated my status) when I managed to connect to an internet cafe in Greece I put the status "is still in Athens" in case anyone happened to think that because I was on the internet I was home. Logging into facebook was a very bad idea though... I accidentally saved my password. One of the guys I was in Greece with logged in and put my status as "is questioning his homosexuality".... Then another guy logged in and put "loves donkey sex". I then had to log in and put a status as "is NOT questioning his sexuality and does NOT love donkey sex, but instead stupidly left his password saved on an internet cafe!".

That really sucked. I took that off later and then I think my status is blank now and I don't intend to update it unless I really feel the need to (then I REALLY needed to if you know what I mean )

As for other people leaving status updates... I don't mind it. If it bothers me I just ignore it. It can sometimes be quite comforting. There are people on facebook that I haven't seen in years and are (to be very sad and silly about it) people I'm not sure if to communicate or not with even though I care. It's good to see some of their updates to be reassured that they are living people and getting on with being an awesome human being. It is sometimes good to keep up with updates to be reminded that people are doing ok / may be stressed etc but are still alive and kicking.


It can get annoying when people update it too much though...

 

[OmniscientOnus]

I view status updates as just one of the many signs that our society is undergoing a major change.

At times I would like to believe that this is all just a fad, or that twitter and facebook and the rest had intentions of using all of this as a stepping stone to a greater goal.

On the other hand, I completely understand the relevance of status updates and the evolution of communication with technology. As a whole, society is increasing the bounds of who we can communicate with, how often, and to what degree. People are having full, meaningful, online relationships (friendly or otherwise) where physical presence is not only not required, but not even considered. Everyday we go online and have discussions in chat rooms, Instant Message friends and strangers, blog our thoughts and ideas to anyone willing to read them, etc. We are stretching communication to outstanding means. There once was a time where social status was determined by money and power. With the internet, businessmen are chatting with teenagers, mothers are conversing with drug dealers, athletes are blogging to obese fans. There are no walls. There are no boundaries.

As our methods and abilities to connect with one another expand, it is only natural that we experiment with new forms communication. With all different cultures, races, genders, creeds, personalities mingling in one place, we as a humans have to rethink our speech. Not every culture greets one another with a handshake and a hello, not every culture bids farewell with a wave and a goodbye, not every culture speaks to their elders as though they were to be honored or respected. So, since all of these cultures and personalities are being thrown together, and new types of people are interacting with new types of people, we have to adjust. We must adapt or die out.

Status updates may be an annoying trend or failed experiment, or they may become the next step towards a single, unified, form of communication for every person on the planet who concedes to using the internet to interact with others. Only time will tell what may come.

Personally I find status updates annoying. "Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know I'll be rockin' some grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch. That is all." is information I can honestly live without. I really don't care what you're having for lunch. Yes, mom, that includes you. I love you dearly, but whatever you're cooking up for lunch is sure to make me jealous as my culinary skills spread only as far as the amount of money in my wallet (meaning I can't cook). Unless, of course, you're spewing this all over facebook is meant to be an open invite for me to come over and eat your delicious cooking. In that case:

"OmniscientOnus: Just so everyone knows, I'm heading over my mom's house for dinner! I feel sorry for those of you who can't make it out to enjoy her expert culinary skills. Alton Brown, eat your heart out".

-This user is no longer available (he's at his mommy's house)

 

[Shu]

"OmniscientOnus: Just so everyone knows, I'm heading over my mom's house for dinner! I feel sorry for those of you who can't make it out to enjoy her expert culinary skills. Alton Brown, eat your heart out".

-This user is no longer available (he's at his mommy's house)

I hate alton brown =P Good Eats! Bah, I mean his show is interesting but whatever.

Anyways yea, Ive seen some people post pretty hourly, and then some don't post at all. You know what I do? I use the status updates to quote things, not necessarily relating to my own life. Or let's just say I think status updates are useless.

Being from a college football town of Ole Miss I hear the tag line saying "Hotty Toddy" from about 45 people on game days. I'm wondering if I should just hide their updates altogether. Don't get me wrong I love my Rebels, but I hate when I have to hear Hotty Toddy so much.