I don't want to discuss the 'self' as a brand, (is it all not
exhausting
enough?) but I want to ponder twitter, and the throw away snippets flung
out onto the internet. Tweets are honest accounts of thoughts,
reactions and opinions - but as fine-tuned ponders or vents, they
present a very
reflective but never entirely true self. Either honesty, or spin, and with the
opportunity to get it right first time.
If I was tweeting as a large organisation using front-facing
third-person correspondence, 140 characters would be a considered reflection of that
organisation's goals and 'character'. The handle is entirely accountable for
the bigger picture, and tweeting in third person places the correspondence one
away from the respondent. This 'comment' therefore requires sensible and
considered content, which can absolutely be light-hearted and informal, but
does need to reflect the organisation as a whole. So while shouty jokes about
being unable to pick an exhibition to feature on a museum account (i.e 'as
they're all ace') is fine, but a joke about 'oh my god are we serving horse to
the queen' at a theatre hosting royalty isn't ever going to fly as the news
agenda is going to swoop in, no matter how much silly nonsense it really
is.
When tweeting as myself some these filters just don't need to apply,
it's not likely I've fed an economy burger to royalty is it? So if I tweet it,
it's not running a risk of news or upset. I'm aware of the nature of
tweets becoming news, or being libelous, so clearly my twitter account does
neither - it goes without saying. In the same way
that if I spoke to the who or whatever I'm responding to, I would be ready to
discuss my personal reaction to the content. Fair's fair innit. And by nature I
question, so my twitter account should too no?
I have been very surprised by the reaction, where after a tweet,
offline, there has been an assumption I would not be willing to discuss my
comments. Hiding behind a tweet? (My twitter handle is my full name.) I've had brilliant and enlightening
discussions with many people on twitter, I know the medium and I'm ready to
explain myself if and when. For a million and one reasons being totally honest
and uncensored on social media is a TERRIBLE idea. From unsolicited monologues
about a new baby through to propaganda and bullying and much worse, we should
all be trained to use social media responsibly. But responding
to a situation one finds oneself in shouldn't be an issue. Least of all something you
should fear will be received as a cowardly, sly response. One is entirely
accountable, and I'm always ready to be, and ready to hear the other side to
the story... otherwise, I wouldn't post. I'd call someone and have a
natter.
I always strive to be honest online, and although I do change my
mind on
comments before I press tweet and consider the response to every
comment,
but I've never expected tweeting to be something to hide behind for a
'real' character? It's a jungle out there when considering the amount of
brand identities, the celebrity waves and strategic communications, but
I'm talking about many accounts just using twitter as a (maybe a little
better
spoken, and more precise) extension of self. I'm also always going to be
ready to
defend my comments; why else would I say them? There's no need for anyone to worry that I'm a monkey sitting in a bin of banana skins heaving at the
confusion and exaltation of having EATEN ALL THE BANANAS. If you're pondering my waffling, don't. Either chuckle, or move on.
