What's right in Twitter World?

Welcome Tweople to the Twitterverse for a tweethearts view on life and Twitter...

Now, if most of that first sentance didn't make sense to you, and you think that I have in fact joined a bizzare cult and learnt a whole new language, then you probably don't enjoy the 140 character life updates that are allowed on Twitter.

I've often wondered why some people tweet (for the uninitiated thats an update on what you're doing in the confines of 140 characters) what they do tweet, and if there are some subjects that are just avoided on principle. I know I don't talk about work, or where I live, or more personal things, but I must admit that it is very cathartic to just rant away in such a small little white box, you can work out just what you are feeling, and let everyone else know. I like that I can discuss my political viewpoints and some key issues to me and not worry that I am going to be judged for it, I can for all intent and purpose, by myself, but a more concise and interesting me.

Is there anything you wouldn't tweet about? And is it the same and things you wouldn't not be comfortable talking to your friends about? Or are you really fully aware that strangers can read just what you're thinking or doing.

Some people are quite happy to tweet that they just stepped in poo...

"Have given up on eve stroll because a) I'm being bitten alive b) I've trod in cow poo c) I need the loo..." (@Leedsbird)

Some people are quite happy to tweet about things you probably wouldn't ring someone just to tell them...

"Bought my phone a sock, it's time my communication device has *real* comfort" (@MissPeg)

And some celebrities just forget that they have a vast following who might die a little from happiness at the next tweet...

"Well I can check "strip in a Louisiana bar while writhing around on Ty Burrell's lap" off the ole bucket list." (@Olivawilde)

Twitter seems to have an over arching theme of acting like friend, counsellor, judge and jury all at once, you can get feedback on any comment almost immediately, and you can offer someone else a word of encouragement (or 140 characters) if you think they need it. For the most part though, it seems to be happy, political, and active, its about getting involved, and having your say, even if its just by who you are following. (I am choosing to ignore that there is 'celebrity bashing' or 'fake people pretending to be celebrities' on twitter as so far i've avoided these 'lovely' people.)

Soon someone will make money out of creating a personality test for your 'i follow' list, and you'll worry about whether you should admit to liking a celebrity just because everyone can see, but for now many of us revel in the geek status it affords us. We can see what 'such and such' is doing next week, and who 'so and so' is having dinner with this Friday, and you might even find out that your 'real life' friend is coming to visit.

Now, there are two things about twitter that I would like some clarification on...

Trending topics: now, how the chuff do these work? Do people just spend all their time typing one word? Do you have to hash tag, or will it work without one? I have no idea how somethings get on there, is there a set number or times it needs to be mentioned? Or is it the right people tweeting about something, I'm obviously not cool enough to get something trending, so I shall, for now, just sit on the outskirts and laugh at how often, and how irate, the argument between pro JB'ers and anti JB'ers gets on trending topics!

Retweets: I get the whole, lets show support for important/funny events, and retweeting people you are following is cool, that’s a given, but why when you write something that bears no resemblance to anyone else’s life (its time and person specific) do random tweople retweet it? I don't know you, and I don't know why my ability to do something is now newsworthy... (though as a flip side when someone 'important' in twitter world re-tweets your comment to them, that is a GOOD feeling!)

Now the next step is to harness the power of twitter for the business, if someone has worked out how to do this, please let me know, I don't have a business, but if I can harness twitter I might just get one to be cool!

So, to mark my ability to get lost in the twitterverse, and even write a blog about it, I wrote a poem about Twitter. Why don't you have a go, see if you can beat me and do it in 140 characters?

I chose to tell the world today
About my biscuit fascination
I told them of my favourite kind
And when I like to eat them,
And then I constantly update
With a picture of my plate.

I tell the world about my good days
And more so when it’s bad
I tell the world about my sad days
And when I’ve got a little mad.

I chose to tell the world today
About the list I have of chores
About my plans to do it all
And when I just get bored,
And then I constantly remind
What a mess I’ve left behind.

I chose to tell the world today
About everything I do
And then I might even update
On what, I haven’t got a clue.

(c) Itinerant Poet 2010