Comments on: According to “Experts” – Normal Communication Is Dead?

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:08:10 +0000

Exactly Sue, 35 million people doing anything can be construed to be useful, but I often wonder what more those 35 million could do with the time spent? Maybe I am too philosophical, I just do not see a big gain in using this past passively. Everyone is saying; “Well Phil, if you do not commit 200 hours, you will not get the gain!” I do not see all that many people becoming millionaires lest they be off of Twitter and on a cruise without even their cell phones.

Maybe the value is in just chatting or maybe even feeling like something is being accomplished because a celebrity is using it? I can actually do without it all together. Even if you are the only person who reads this blog, that is enough to keep writing on it. Thankfully, some people do still read. As for the Twitter mentality, I think most people there would as soon just grunt and be grunted back at.

Always,
Phil

By: Sueblimely

Sueblimely — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:07:39 +0000

Twitter is much like coffee – some can do without it whereas others extol its virtues and inbibe frequently, some needing more frequent hits than others. It can become an addictive habit for some who will defend it and find advantages to justify themselves. Coffee comes in many flavours and types, instant and real, black and white ….. Twitter seems to cater for all sorts of variations too. They both give an instant hit of satisfaction. As for usefulness – the jury is still out even as far as coffee is concerned. I am waiting for a green tea type Twitter.

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:42:06 +0000

Hi Uber, After the smoke of the little discourse here clears, I find myself in a more jovial mode, so excuse my tongue in cheek attitude now please. I am wondering if learning via Twiiter involves gleaning untold mysteries from the suggested symbolism of the 140 characters, or if this method involves stringing together a multiplicity of 140 character outputs to form a more coherent meaning? LOL

Given your most recent post about SpyMaster, I now realize this learning machine may have been enhanced by the popular killing game. I am a level 3, and I have learned that the more time I waste assassinating people and visiting safe houses, the more people add me as friends.

Always,
Phil

By: UberDragon

UberDragon — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:41:27 +0000

I consider myself well versed in my industry, I can tell you I’ve most certainly learned new things from my interaction with Twitter Users – and based on responses so have many of my followers

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:26:07 +0000

Lisa, In those cases, I stand corrected of course. I guess I was thinking long term or in cases where PR firms use it. Well, to be honest, any network has its positives. As I said, my partner Mihaela uses it pretty extensively. So far however, I have not seen any major utilization. A couple of promises, and a fond howdey do, but too chaotic and limited as a platform for discourse. I respect your opinion as a superb social networker as you know. Like I said to others, I may be wrong. If I am not, I guess the next great thing will suffice to work for all of us.

Thanks Lisa. I am glad even our closest friends have varied opinions, this is how we get to the truth of things. Wow, I have never been all wrong

Always,
Phil

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:19:46 +0000

Disclosure: I am Twitter addict.

I think you have it all wrong. Twitter is a tool. Just like press releases are a tool. You would never do a campaign for a client and just send out press release after press release. You’d be out there contacting reports, running contests, etc (depending on your clients needs).

As long as a business is using Twitter to actually communicate with their customers or potential customers, they should be out there using it. Burying your head in the sand, does not change what’s going on out there. Having every tweet be a link also is not a good idea. Twitter isn’t there for self promotion either. However, when done right, great things can happen.

I have seen the Twitter community in the last couple of months help people in need. Search for the #maddie and #eric hashtags to see what I am talking about.

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:03:44 +0000

Brendan, thanks for your input. I too hate the thought of 35 million people meptying their pockets to find only lint balls. Twitter and others may yet surprise me and the world. For me, dragging out my long winded observations here and in other select places will have to suffice until they give me a TV show. Heaven forbid that ever happens, it would be funny though, to watch and old linebacker do a Terry Tate on neahsayers

Always,
Phil

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:00:59 +0000

Kristen, I agree with you always, you know that. Heck, I may need a story sometime, so what can I do but agree? Seriously, there are always two sides, I just worry that these arguments are getting one sided and people in the middle will be delude. So there, you discovered my motivation. See, I do have a vested interest. The forward motion of the human genome. Thanks for your opinion K, as always, one of the movers in the technology world.

Always,
Phil

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:58:07 +0000

No you did not! I found you, when you and your colleagues invented something extraordinary. I was fascinated by it, endeared to it, as one of the earliest examples of what was possible, feasible and refined for what would become Web 2.0. Unfortunately, Web 2.0 led to the current state of affairs. Fortune did not always favor the true innovators, or the true visionaries. Secondbrain, like a very few other unique and fascinating endeavors, somehow got behind in a game destined to be won by the monied, or the click, or by the most idiotic and rudimentary examples of what is possible.

You hired out company because somehow, intuitive people seek out others engendered with the same spirit. People who want to create or see created something profound. This, you, and a few other extraordinary examples of “what might be”, is in part my reason for disliking Twitter or Facebook, even MySpace. All of these, decent ideas in a world where we need superlative ones. So, if anyone has an inkling of a doubt at this point, either they should write me off as some idealistic dinosaur, or accept the fact that some people take it all in, and occasionally see what should be.

Twitter. Well, history will tell this story. If I am wrong, no one will remember. If I am right, and live to breathe, I may just spend my old age visiting their every move hollering; “Who’s the visionary now?” Seriously Lars, thanks for coming to comment, as a real visionary (even if still awaiting your reward) amid the fortunate and the ill supported. The game is still afoot my friend, and I have no doubt that you and my small throng of friends will prevail at some length. What more can I say, probably a lot as you know me and profunditity. Just know, that a few truly knowing what is in a man’s heart, is a far greater thing than 10,000 followers tagging along for the ride.

Always, your friend and admirer,

Phil

By: Lars G. Teigen

Lars G. Teigen — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:25:18 +0000

After all this hype about Twitter, it’s only wise to be a bit cynical about it. Like many other services that have crossed the chasm, they follow the same path: mass-media embraces them. They like new technology that is easy to understand and is being adopted by the early majority. This gives them an opportunity to write several bullish articles with arguments for how it will change everything and why you should start using it now.

After a while and with the help of critical voices like yours, it will find its place in the minds of those who find real benefit from it. A lot of people will use Twitter eventually, but it may not live up to all the hype.

I personally think that Google Wave will be a fierce competitor to Twitter.

About personal value for me. I use it to get recommendations from people. A kind of social filtering and recommendation system from a more collegial network of people compared to Facebook. Remember, Phil – I found you and hired your company through Twitter:)