Thoughts on Twitter

OK, so anyone who follows me on Twitter should hopefully know my position on politics, sexism, racism, media coverage etc. I think I'm pretty consistent in my views and am open to reasoned debate.

I used to love Twitter, no I'm a bit jaded. Possibly too many followers? A fast moving timeline can make it difficult to keep up and give immediate responses, but I try to and I'll always reply to any @.

Part of the joy of twitter is the banter, and that is now declining, this is rather sad and makes me less inclined to use it. I now post into a void at times and wonder why I bother. This isn't a recent happening, but has gradually increased and is now coming to a point where I have no option but to unfollow many and maybe start again?

I like to think people follow each other out of interest, especially if you've chosen to follow them, if so why ignore? I can understand 'celebs' not following many, it would be impossible, but for most people that is not the point.

So some random points:

I don't follow social medja types who only bleat about building content - be interesting instead!

If someone directly responds to you, do reply, especially if its supportive, offering good wishes etc (can't believe I have to point that out).

If you repost something that someone else has said - CREDIT THEM. Not doing so is beyond words and if unique, you are stealing their ideas.

If someone posts something interesting, funny, informative or downright weird, RT it or let them know what you think, you know, engage with them.

But at the same time time don't just RT and never say anything yourself, we are all keen to know what our followers think, if you are new, don't worry we all started there once : )

If you are a new follower please say something! As numbers increase it's hard to keep track, it's nice to know how/why someone follows you. Often followers just merge seamlessly into your timeline as if there forever which is great, other times a little intro is nice.

Some of my followers have come from heated misunderstandings which we quickly resolved - Twitter at its best.

I will not tolerate casual 'socially acceptable' race and sexism. So disparaging terms such as chav, pikey, gyypo will result in an unfollow.

As will the idea that for example, the US/UK can breach international law and kill unarmed terrorists, that we can delight in seeing the bloodied corpses of our defeated enemies. Wrong. There may be a grim satisfaction, but we cannot uphold International Law and 'police' other countries if were do not set impeccable moral standards for ourselves. Ditto for torture and the use of extradition.

Trade Unions. Not perfect, but I love them, they demonised by the media and the Govt, but you would have few/no employment rights without them including little things like weekends, sick pay, employment protection, proper working conditions. If you think we shouldn't, then, yes attack them and wonder why you are so frightened by the prospect of people having decent working conditions. If you attack them because you haven't decent conditions, maybe you should consider joining them? Don't try and bring people down to the worst level, make things better for all.

Read my links. A no brainer really, I certainly try and read the ones on my timeline. I'll RT any that are interesting, unexpected and if topical, it's because it'll convey what I am thinking at greater length that Twitter tweets can and usually with FACTUAL INFO, so if you want to know why I think that way... read.

So, that's my rant for this morning, there may be more ; )