I was the same, until I learned the term microblogging - the point of platforms like twitter is to present yourself to an audience. A tweet is like a small blog article. Of course interaction is desired, but the real point is to follow. It’s a form of self-presentation that is completely alien to me, esp. if it all happens on the same platform, it’s so competitive. Like one million birds just chittering away “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!”
I will cop to loving it when hundreds or thousands of strangers laugh at my jokes or agree with me, so I’m not gonna highroad anyone for seeking that.
The real reasons I have left all microblogging untouched are two things. McLuhan said “the medium is the message”. A medium that rewards brevity to a maximum is not one that thinks people should be talking a lot. It’s not a medium for communication so much as it is a medium for displays. All you get to do is strike a verbal pose on an infinite stage of other attention seekers.
Others express their freedom to choose exactly to what extent of verbosity and verbiage they consider necessary in order to accurately and effectively communicate their previously-unspoken thoughts either through private correspondence or statements to some subset of the general populace.
I’m not highroading anything; that sort of human behavior is just alien to me, which is why I did not get the point, which is what OP was asking about.
It wasn’t list on me, I was just agreeing from my own perspective. I wish I could be above it all like you, and that’s not sarcastic. I’m more individualistic and self-contained than almost anyone I know - to the point that it does alienate me somewhat - but I still get a frisson from public speaking, and I still seek approval from the masses online. In Trek terms I think I’d be happier if I was purely Spock, but I’ve got just enough Kirk in me to know what I’m missing.
Well thanks, and apologies. It sounded like you were saying that the entire idea of presenting yourself to an audience for social approval is alien to you. Looking back I’m not sure what the takeaway should have been. I’ll go make coffee and try to wake up.
I was the same, until I learned the term microblogging - the point of platforms like twitter is to present yourself to an audience. A tweet is like a small blog article. Of course interaction is desired, but the real point is to follow. It’s a form of self-presentation that is completely alien to me, esp. if it all happens on the same platform, it’s so competitive. Like one million birds just chittering away “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!” “Me!”
I will cop to loving it when hundreds or thousands of strangers laugh at my jokes or agree with me, so I’m not gonna highroad anyone for seeking that.
The real reasons I have left all microblogging untouched are two things. McLuhan said “the medium is the message”. A medium that rewards brevity to a maximum is not one that thinks people should be talking a lot. It’s not a medium for communication so much as it is a medium for displays. All you get to do is strike a verbal pose on an infinite stage of other attention seekers.
The other reason is that I’m kinda verbose.
Some say, “why many words when few work?”
Others express their freedom to choose exactly to what extent of verbosity and verbiage they consider necessary in order to accurately and effectively communicate their previously-unspoken thoughts either through private correspondence or statements to some subset of the general populace.
He words me.” — Hamlet
I’m not highroading anything; that sort of human behavior is just alien to me, which is why I did not get the point, which is what OP was asking about.
The bird comparison should be obvious I hope.
It wasn’t list on me, I was just agreeing from my own perspective. I wish I could be above it all like you, and that’s not sarcastic. I’m more individualistic and self-contained than almost anyone I know - to the point that it does alienate me somewhat - but I still get a frisson from public speaking, and I still seek approval from the masses online. In Trek terms I think I’d be happier if I was purely Spock, but I’ve got just enough Kirk in me to know what I’m missing.
dafuq?
I have seen you around and I usually like your contributions but you really seem to misinterprete what I said here.
Well thanks, and apologies. It sounded like you were saying that the entire idea of presenting yourself to an audience for social approval is alien to you. Looking back I’m not sure what the takeaway should have been. I’ll go make coffee and try to wake up.
It being alien to me does not mean I am above it.
Ah, that’s the miscue. Haha, that’s too true though. There’s a lot about humanity I just refuse to understand.