If you’ve been paying any attention, you notice patterns of stages that we all go through when it comes to Twitter. At first we don’t get it. We don’t understand the concept. It’s the ‘who cares what someone had for breakfast?’ stage. But then we reluctantly try it out. And we have an epiphany. I call this the ‘this is the most amazing thing ever invented’ stage.
Once we grasp Twitter’s core concept of connectivity, we enter something called the ‘euphoria’ stage of hyper connecting. We follow people from all over the world who share our interests. And eventually it leads us to considering how we can commercialize the medium. Look, Twitter was no dummy when they named the service. Birds of a feather flock together. Strength in numbers. All that. When enough people gather together, we anoint leaders. As a result, these people usually have large numbers of followers and are considered experts on whatever topic that the group flocking together is flocking around. That’s why there so many gurus. Even (especially) on the topic of the medium itself.
The euphoria stage can last a while, but then you notice new patterns emerge. ‘Leaders’ are given more power than they deserve. Guidelines are published on how anyone can be an expert if they just follow a few simple rules – which include recognizing and promoting the established experts. As new people come into the medium, you see how this pattern snowballs. The smartest people start sharing less while the power-hungry people start sharing more. Except – they mostly share things that only advance their status as experts. And it’s almost always the same things over and over. It’s then that you notice life being sucked out of the medium and being replaced with how-to manuals. Idol worship becomes commerce. At this point you enter the ‘bitter twitter’ stage and you stand back and watch regular people become whores for attention as they’re flown to places like Calcutta and Jakarta to speak to emerging markets on topics that they basically invent. Oratory skills become sharp knives that the Neuvo Experto use to carve up the Euphoric on the backs of those who desire power.
The next stage is the ‘I am losing interest – fast’ stage. After three plus years here, Twitter’s not nearly as important to me as it used to be. Yes, there are good things going on here. Yes, I follow a diverse range of people – so its not like I’m inundated with gurus in my stream. And yes, I try to share what I think is important. It’s just that what I think is important keeps changing. And it almost never has to do with the silos of marketing and social media. Except, of course, for posts like this one. I’m a writer. I like to share stories – not give advice. And I’m not half bad at storytelling. But when I write blog posts about my daughter getting braces and the real, human effect of that on me as a parent, it’s not nearly as important on Twitter as the guru who posts “5 ways to be a smarter Twitter user.” I just can’t bring myself to routinely write about social media or marketing (two things I do for a living) – even though they’re invariably the most viewed posts on my blog. I’m not in this for my status as a guru. And no, I’m not bitter at those who are – everyone has to make a living. I just find it interesting how the idea of power affects our ego – and how opportunity recycles itself as mindless minutia rather than big, human ideas.
I’m pretty sure that one day, it will be considered normal to go completely dark here. To walk away from all the hyper connecting. And it feels like that day is approaching fast.
***
Teresa Naomi
Jan 29, 2012
I love your stories. And I love that you stay far away from the gaping hole of marketing/social media bullshit. The fun and attraction of the network lie in the scant moments people behave as, well, people. Those moments are so rare. I’m at that final stage, as well. If it weren’t my job to be there I doubt I would be, and as it stands I spend little time there anymore.
Aside: Your writing makes me miss writing.
-T
Jim Mitchem
Jan 29, 2012
Thank you, Teresa. Really.
Nichole
Jan 29, 2012
You are so right. Being hyper connected has lost its shine. In the early days, we were able to deeply connect with some amazing people who had no agenda. We were open and shared opinions, asked questions and received answers. We could jump in on other people’s discussions and not be ignored. We shared information and contacts expecting nothing in return. Twitter was friendly and fun, not work. Then it became a business. I think Twitter reached and surpassed critical mass a while back. Now you have to sift through the madness and the noise to connect with people, with very little pay off. This line is spot on: “The smartest people start sharing less while the power-hungry people start sharing more.” Smart people know where to invest their time, when to sit back and observe, when to speak up, when to change course, and when to exit.
neighbors
Jan 29, 2012
Nah, it’s a choice. Just do not follow so-called gurus or silly people. I would miss Twitter notifying me of when you publish a new blog post, neighborhood crime alerts, emergencies, when the party starts, weather and traffic or meeting reminders. It’s here to stay and saves time.
Jim Mitchem
Jan 29, 2012
I just happen to follow a diverse range of people. Many of whom who have become opportunistic within the medium as it relates to the gaming. And so yes, if you tweaked and pulled and got thugs just right so that it works for your needs, then yes, there is still relevance. I didn’t imply that there isn’t relevance. But I believe going dark – or shouting, only – is a real stage.
And Nichole – you said exactly what I meant to say. Thank you.
Jason
Jan 29, 2012
I hear ya.
faris
Jan 31, 2012
Word my brother.
Delightful as always.
And, broadly speaking, I jibe. The arc feels good – and the desire to go dark is not just twitter its everything. That’s what vacations are for – they stop us going crazy.
But there is another end point in the arc. Normalization. Ubiquity. Mainstream adoption.
I’ve also found I can no longer regularly write the way I used to.
But I still want to write. And tweet things. See what resonates.
if you meet the buddha on the road, kill him, they say. Or unfollow. 😉
Jim Mitchem
Jan 31, 2012
Thanks for the comment, Faris. Yeah, it’s a bit of a conundrum. I *need* to be here because even if I do start writing exclusively, I *need* broadcast channels and ambassadors. And I am finding the less I’m on twitter (and yes, all the other silos) the more I can write. Business and family keep me plenty busy otherwise. For me it’s mostly just how much I reply and engage on Twitter. I think it’s rude not to reply to people, so when I do, it takes time. I have less time these days. So it’s going to either become a shout medium, only, or going dark eventually. Maybe I’ll just use this blog to engage/interact with people. No idea. But something’s brewing.
Jenks
Jan 31, 2012
Jim–I follow you and read this blog solely because of the stories you share. I know very little in the way of social media and don’t care about it at all. I like and follow you because you are witty, sharp and a truth teller. I hope you don’t stay away long.
Jim Mitchem
Jan 31, 2012
I’m not going dark. Not yet, anyway. I just definitely see how people can and will. Including me, one day. It’s just getting to be too much.
Lily Zajc
Jan 31, 2012
Jim, I really enjoyed your post. I too long to get the point of walking away from my computer…twitter, facebook, etc.., but I’m not there yet. I also tend to write about personal experiences, but I have met a wonderful group of like minded social media folks, and for that I’m grateful. I’m sure the day will come when I feel like disconnecting.
My novel – Minor King
Recent Posts
Copyright © Jim Mitchem. Hosted by Command Partners.