In one of my first articles, Green Twitter – Environmental Resources, I mentioned that I was “addicted to” and “dependent” on Twitter. In the comments, Ari Herzog asked why I was addicted to twitter. That question made me think a little and I realized that addicted wasn’t the right word. Obviously, I can live without Twitter and admittedly I would be depressed if it no longer existed, but I would move on. (I am addicted to the Internet, however, and don’t know how I would get over the loss of it).
So, I’ve been putting a lot of thought into what it is about Twitter that I like so much. Self-promotion? No. Networking? No. Reporting what I’m eating? No. Hearing what cool people the so called A-Listers are hanging out with? Definitely NO.
What makes me keep returning to Twitter day after day are the creative, funny, unique, and supportive people that I have encountered. People that I would have never had the opportunity to meet in real life. People from all over the world and people from a couple of miles away. People who share common interests with and people who don’t, but that I still connect with. I want to log in and say hi. I want to know what they are up to. I want to laugh at the funny things they say and make them laugh. I want to read and comment on their blog posts.
I guess that I’m not addicted to Twitter after all but am addicted to the people that I’ve developed an online relationship with.
So, here I’m going to list 10 of my Twitter friends. People that you might want to follow. They aren’t self-proclaimed gurus or A-Listers but they are fun, interesting, and bright. I’m listing their Twitter usernames and a recent blog post.
- @maratriangle – A park warden in the Masia Mara reserve in Kenya. I have not had a conversation with him but am fascinated by the work he is doing. Recent Post: Can Elephant Poo Save the Mara? (I love elephants).
- @scamtypes is an online scam hunter. He’s very funny person who keeps me on my toes. Unfortunately, he’s a Liverpool fan. Recent Post: Breaking News : Georgia Bigfoot Body Confirmed As A Rubber Costume Hoax
- @ChrissMari also resides in Philly. She has a potty mouth, makes me laugh, takes funny photos and is a Manchester City fan. Recent Post: Walking Behind Some Sort of Gang on My Way to Lunch
- @GreenSmith – an all around positive guy working to find sustainable solutions as well as find the best comment tracker. :-) Recent Post: Throwplace: A Sort of Freecycle on Steroids
- @trisha_ifw – is a sweetheart who also loves Doctor Who and the Powerpuff Girls. She does not enjoy bathing suit shopping. Recent Post: Review: High Heels to Hormones: A Woman’s Guide to Spine Care
- @perishable – writes awesome advanced WordPress tips and code solutions. He has answered my questions and is always helpful. Recent Post: Redirect All Requests for a Nonexistent File to the Actual File
- @andymurd gave me confidence about using Disqus on Tumblr, is friendly, and has a great sense of humor. He is, perhaps, the only man in England who doesn’t follow football. Recent Post: Freaks Do Not Get Followed
- @greenmom is blogging about raising an environmentally responsible family. She has great giveaways, asks me wordpress questions and is a top commenter. Recent Post: Moms Take a Stand Against BPA – Today
- @vered writes funny and poignant articles on her site, MomGrind. Vered knows how to build a community; she responds to every comment and makes a point to visit the sites of those who comment. I don’t know where she finds the time. Recent Post: Top 10 Fashion Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
- @olu_guy is into football and video games. I think he’s my new best friend. ;-) Though he’s a little miffed about my switch from Arsenal to Aston Villa. Recent Post: Just go ahead and check out his social network for gamers, Vigster.
photo credit: bobdegraaf
The second one down in your list looks like a cool guy, I’m gonna add him right away.
Scams last blog post – Credit Card And Other Debt Elimination Scams
Looks can be deceiving.
Cool post. Great idea. I admit that I am normally not very proactive about following people on Twitter – I let others follow then follow them back – but this is an interesting list. Thank you for the link love – always appreciated!
Vereds last blog post – Thank You For Smoking
Thank you for the memories. The irony of my question to you in the referenced comment is that was dated June 6, 2008. Looking at my Twitter timeline, I started on June 9.
To be fair, I had used Twitter in early 2007 under a different account name but the twittersphere was fairly nil so I quit. After talking to you and others, I realized it was time to reinvest myself. As I type this, I follow 236 people and see 363 are following me. If you or other readers would like to join me in a tweeting conversation, you can follow me here.
Ari Herzogs last blog post – U.S. Bans Social Networking
Aw, thanks for the mention, Kim.
Connecting with people from vastly different backgrounds and far-flung countries is what makes Twitter an essential tool for me too. It’s amazing that I’m able to congratulate a 16 year old kid in India on his exam results one minute and check out Guy Kawasaki’s latest venture the next.
Tell me about it – I’m 18 years old and everyone thinks I look 22 :(
Scams last blog post – Credit Card And Other Debt Elimination Scams
@Vered – You do so much with your comments and your community that I don’t think you should worry about how you use Twitter. :-) Chris Brogan wrote an article recently called, ‘Do What Works For You’, that discusses only using services that you enjoy and not feeling obligated to use them all – http://www.chrisbrogan.com/do-what-works-for-you/
I go through phases with Twitter. Sometimes when I really like what someone is saying I look at who they are following and being followed by and add some people. Other times I wait to be followed before following back.
@Ari – It’s also ironic that it took me over two months to come up with an answer to your question ;-) I don’t know if anyone loves twitter from the first moment they use it. Usually something has to click and then it all makes sense.
I started using it in November 2007 and didn’t really get it at all. I didn’t post much and wasn’t following many people. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it either so I mostly followed other people from Philly. I stopped using it at the end of the year and then in March I picked it back up again (same account). Again, I didn’t immediately see the benefits but it didn’t take long the 2nd time to become “addicted”. My enjoyment of Twitter has increased as I’ve found more people that I really connect with.
@andymurd – You were one of the first people that I randomly asked a question and you were so nice about answering. Then when you teased me in the comments on Louis Gray’s site and wrote the Freaks article, I knew we shared a connection :-)
Also, well put – can you come write my articles for me? ;-)
@scam – Why does your stumble profile say 37 :-P
That was a typo, I’m not sure how to edit it :oops:
Scams last blog post – 6 Reasons Why Spam Email Is So Successful
Thank you! That’s so nice!
I hope that being sweet like Lynda with a y doesn’t mean I’ll be killed by daleks soon! Of course if I were a power puff girl those nasty aliens wouldn’t be able to hurt me no matter how much they tried!
bad wolf
Trishas last blog post – 12 Things You Can Do To Set a Healthy Example for Your Kids
@Trisha – I don’t get the Lynda reference – can you explain it to me?
Bad Wolf – yeah, maybe you aren’t so sweet ;-)
And thanks for the conversation today!
Season 1, one of the last two episodes on satellite 5.
Trishas last blog post – 12 Things You Can Do To Set a Healthy Example for Your Kids
Thanks for the link love and @greenmom mention. Yes, twitter is addicting. All things internet and computer are. It’s the anti social part of me and the very “social” part of me. Actually, I totally a people person and love to chat live and online.
Either way, I’m right there with you!
Sommers last blog post – Digging for Worms
@Trisha – wow, I do not remember that at all. Thanks for the links to the videos. I haven’t had a chance to watch them yet but hope to this evening.
@greenmom – I don’t know what I’d do without the Internet :-)
Hi Kim :) I am honored to be included on the list! Keeps me humble and encouraged to keep things going with Twitter. Cheers, Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I’m so glad you stopped by. Your articles make me question my understanding of WordPress and inspire me to keep learning. Plus, so many people with your knowledge level don’t answer people when they ask questions. You have been SO helpful. I actually haven’t fixed the htaccess problems with the ideas you gave me because I haven’t had much time to work on it but you gave me a starting point, answered me immediately, and gave me a quick understanding of what I was doing wrong. :-)
Thanks for the kind words, Kim :) You know I am happy to help anytime.. Let me know if you need help wrangling those htaccess issues into place — I will do my best to help you out! :)
@Greenprofs is a twitter channel that I set up to allow members of a 13,000 strong and growing community of green professionals share insights, ideas and best practice. I have continued with the ethos of collaboration to set up greenprofs.com and again sharing the login with members (now over 350 registered) to blog on the site. If you want to contribute simply register at http://www.greenprofs.com/wp-login and start submitting your articles.
John,
Thank you for the information!
I’m not a “green professional” but I will definitely take a look at the resource and add @greenprofs to my green twitter list the next time I update.
Kim,
Thanks :) I am sure it will be worth the while! the site is coming on with new functionality including over 600 videos per month on environmental issues , CSR and greener business practice.
The blog http://www.greenprofs.com is getting really popular with some fantastic articles posted and many excellent responses to them.
The newsletter, featuring content from the blog is going out to over 15,000 people a number that is growing by over 100 people a day.
As with the twitter channel http://www.twitter.com/greenprofs the login for Greenprofs.com is also available to all who want to contribute simply click here http://www.greenprofs.com/wp-login to register to submit articles to the site.
Thanks
John
Hi John,
That’s great! Thank you so much for the additional information and for all of your hard work.