Just because Twitter has more than 200 million users doesn’t mean it’s a tool for everyone.
In fact, there are some people who just shouldn’t use Twitter because it gets them in hot water more than it helps them build a personal brand, promote a business, or provide valuable or interesting content.
A case in point is Toronto councillor John Parker, who seems to think Twitter is a platform to opine about “hot chicks”. Not that there is anything wrong with hot chicks or using Twitter to talk about hot chicks but not when you’re an elected official with a high profile.
Parker’s stumbles and bumbles on Twitter may be light-hearted but it clearly shows he has no clue about the inappropriateness of “hot chicks” tweets or the downside of Twitter given what gets said on Twitter goes way beyond Twitter.
Parker joins a long list of politicians, athletes and celebrities who should be told “Sorry, no Twitter for you”. It’s like giving the car keys to a teenager who proceeds to drive recklessly. At some point, you have to ask for the keys back.
The problem with Twitter it requires little or no thought to tweet. It plays right into our multi-tasking, impulse-purchase world. You think or do something, you instantly tweet it – damn the consequences, implications or fallout.
It explains why most tweets are value-less, inane or digital flotsam that would be left untweeted. I suggest there be a tweet-meter that measures the goofiness of tweets. If tweets fall before a certain level, you’re on probation. If the bad behaviour contents, you’re banned from Twitter.
Some people should stay away or walk away from Twitter to save themselves and protect the rest of us from their digital noise.
Mark,
Unfortunately, common sense is not a prerequisite for Twitter use, though you would think it should be for politicians, athletes, celebrities and anyone else whose image or brand is being tested by each tweet.
The other day, PGA golfer Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) shared a much darker example of someone who should be barred from Twitter use. http://twitpic.com/5jgl3p
I can understand and accept (and fortunately skip past) the inane and mindless content that often appears in Twitter – it is a reflection of the overall user community. It is a bit like walking through a shopping mall
But what about those who use Twitter for more malicious purposes? Is/should anyone be responsible for policing and arbitrating appropriateness of use?
Perhaps Twitter should have a strong code of conduct. If you go offside, you’re banned. Keep the rules and the consequences simple to understand. Thanks for the comment. Mark
That’s the more entertaining or enlightening side of twitter errors. The people who really need to be banned are the people that spew a constant, never-ending stream of links to promotions and other garbage and never understand that the audience doesn’t care.
The problem with a code of conduct is that it can be both subjective and border on the issue of free speech.
While I agree that Mr. Parker’s comments were idiotic (especially considering his office) how would we make rules to stop that? Any tweet mentioning hot chicks would be a violation? It just opens up a bunch of other problems…
Best way to deal with people like that is to simply unfollow, and leave them to self-harm.
Andrew: Good point, and it would be impossible to police. I suspect if Parker keeps up with the “hot chicks” campaign, his Twitter usage may come under more fire.
Thanks for the comment. Mark