USA Today has a write-up of a new illustrated children’s book If America Were a Village, by retired Cambridge, Mass middle-school teacher David J. Smith. Greg Toppo notes the book ”tackles economic inequality” with its assertion that if America were a village of 100 people, five people would share more than half the country’s wealth; one person would control more than 30%, while the 60 poorest would share about 4%.
That sets off Matthew K. Tabor, whose blogging time seems to have moved almost completely over to Twitter of late. He goes after Toppo’s “puff piece” and Smith’s book in a series of Tweets. Toppo returns fire quipping “Sorry, i was blinded by socialism!”
I’m finding posting to Twitter fun, but the entertaining Toppo/Tabor dust-up notwithstanding, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the people I’m following on Twitter. It’s like reading a stock ticker. Suggestions on managing the overload?
I’m with you, Robert. I know there are good ways to manage a Twitter feed, but I haven’t mastered them. Visiting Twitter is like dipping a small cup into a fast-moving stream.
Comment by Claus — September 3, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
Robert,
You really need to post a profile pic on yr Twitter feed!
- Shelly
@TeachPaperless
Comment by Shelly — September 3, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
Twitter’s great for when one’s schedule or life doesn’t allow for more than a quick burst of conversation. If you follow knowledgeable people, you can see some excellent links and conversations at warp speed.
Like you said, it can be difficult to manage, especially when you’re following lots of people and lots are following you [currently about 3,150 follow me, for example]. I use TweetDeck to categorize them. I’ve got that “stock ticker” category for everyone, then ~7 other categories, from friends/family to education media, that sorts them appropriately. I get little pop-ups when someone @ replies to me, which is handy for keeping exchanges quick/efficient – that way other people don’t lose track of the back and forth. TweetDeck is free at http://www.tweetdeck.com – there are other utilities for Twitter, lots of them, but that’s the one I use currently.
Twitter’s a funny little beast. Valuable in some ways, useless in others. I get real-time ed links/discussion, which is great.
Then again, a photo I posted of my cat got 14% more clicks than a link to Mark Bauerlein’s latest working paper re: the college professoriate.
I try to keep it in perspective.
Comment by Matthew K. Tabor — September 3, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
I try to limit my interaction with Twitter to things I really want to follow-real time. For other things, I like to be able to absorb them more than 140 characters at a time…
Comment by Rachel — September 3, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
I’d suggesting relaxing and trying not to worry about keeping up with all you want to follow all of the time. Just dip your cup in the stream when you have the time, take a good refreshing drink, and then just put it aside for a while, without guilt. You’ll miss things, but your peace of mind is more important.
Comment by Anonymous — September 3, 2009 @ 10:43 pm