Following Me On Twitter
LAST UPDATED: 7-Dec-2008
First, thanks for stopping by and checking out my Twitter stream and my blog. If you're curious about who the person behind the YatPundit tweets is, you've come to the right place. The YatPundit homepage is here, and you'll find a list of my other websites and blogs when you get there.
You're more than welcome to follow my Twitter stream, but please be aware that I don't follow everyone back automatically. I don't subscribe to Kawasaki's advice that you should follow back every person who follows you. As the number of people I follow on Twitter expands, it's difficult for me to keep up with everyone's thoughts here, so let me share with you some of the mental criteria I use for determining who to follow.
Are you social? If your twitter stream is one-way, I'll probably pass. Unless you're interesting (see below), I prefer two-way conversations. After all, if Rachel Maddow (@maddow) and Tavis Smiley (@tavissmiley), as well as the PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) and National Public Radio (@nprpolitics, @nprbackstory) can be two-way, why can't you?
Are you interesting? There are a number of one-way feeds on twitter that I find interesting to read, such as @engadget, and @nolanews, the feed for the local New Orleans newspaper. Following folks is a good way to "advertise" your feed to others on Twitter, so feel free to do so.
Are you a kindred spirit? Road warriors, foodies, wine geeks, computer geeks, UNIX enthusiasts, and folks from New Orleans, come on in!
Not to be negative, but there are a few things that will just about guarantee I'm not following you back:
Enraged Republicans. I gladly tweet with Republicans who are social and/or interesting (see above), but if all you're bringing to the conversation are Hannity's talking points and other foolishness from Fox News, please, please, please, go play somewhere else. I occasionally refer things of a political nature to the "Top Conservatives On Twitter" hashtag (#TCOT) in the hopes of an intelligent discussion, but I'm not interested in following wingnuts.
"non-partisan" Conservatives. If you expend a lot of twitter-energy posting attacks against Democrats, but then claim to be "non-partisan," because "both sides do bad things," I'll pass on following you. I'm not interested in intellectual dishonesty. Conservatives had control of all three branches of the federal government from January of 2001 to January of 2007. The Democrats' role in where we are now is NOT equal to what we saw from Republicans over those six years.
"non-partisan" Liberals. If you voted for Nader in 2000 or 2004, I'm not the kind of guy who's going to get along with your way of thinking. It's clear there really was a difference between Republicans and Democrats in 2000, and if you don't see it by now, I won't be the one helping you to find a clue. I'm a "Daily Kos Democrat" who is committed to removing the Republican party from political control in this country.
Thumpers. I was raised Catholic in New Orleans. I've lived my life walking past street preachers damning me for my religious beliefs. If I can ignore you in real life, I'm certainly going to ignore you on Twitter. If religion dominates your tweets to an unhealthy degree, I'm going to take a pass. OH, and Apologetics class is down the hall, take a left--it's the second door on your right. Keep walking right past here, please.
Fundamentalist Pagans. You lot are probably the one thing I have less patience with than Thumpers. I see a lot of value, virtue, and spirituality in Christianity, particularly in Catholicism. There are mountains of crap to go with that value, virtue, and spirituality, but wholesale, angry, bitter rejection of a religion is something for which I don't have time. I'm actually more patient with "fluffy bunny" Wiccans than fundamentalists. They may be clueless, but they're usually not so bloody angry at everything.
"Social Networking Experts." That snarky comment in my bio blurb isn't there just to be snarky. I have a job and a life. I have a blog or two as well. I'm not bad at this computer stuff, and I don't appreciate condescension from those who with newly-discovered computer expertise. My work is of a nature that I'm not likely to hire you, so you can scratch me off your potential client list. I may be in a position to refer you to folks I know, however, if you treat me with respect and you're social on here. Additionally, if all you do is tweet about how you have meetings and phone calls with other supposed "social networking experts," that's not something I find interesting. You're welcome to follow me and I'll gladly engage you in conversation if you @-reply me, but I'll pass on that strong a daily dose of self-promotion.
Yeah, a lot of this is judgmental, I know. Feel free to discuss, or flame away in comments.
(Updated 23-Nov-2008)
First, thanks for stopping by and checking out my Twitter stream and my blog. If you're curious about who the person behind the YatPundit tweets is, you've come to the right place. The YatPundit homepage is here, and you'll find a list of my other websites and blogs when you get there.
You're more than welcome to follow my Twitter stream, but please be aware that I don't follow everyone back automatically. I don't subscribe to Kawasaki's advice that you should follow back every person who follows you. As the number of people I follow on Twitter expands, it's difficult for me to keep up with everyone's thoughts here, so let me share with you some of the mental criteria I use for determining who to follow.
Are you social? If your twitter stream is one-way, I'll probably pass. Unless you're interesting (see below), I prefer two-way conversations. After all, if Rachel Maddow (@maddow) and Tavis Smiley (@tavissmiley), as well as the PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) and National Public Radio (@nprpolitics, @nprbackstory) can be two-way, why can't you?
Are you interesting? There are a number of one-way feeds on twitter that I find interesting to read, such as @engadget, and @nolanews, the feed for the local New Orleans newspaper. Following folks is a good way to "advertise" your feed to others on Twitter, so feel free to do so.
Are you a kindred spirit? Road warriors, foodies, wine geeks, computer geeks, UNIX enthusiasts, and folks from New Orleans, come on in!
Not to be negative, but there are a few things that will just about guarantee I'm not following you back:
Enraged Republicans. I gladly tweet with Republicans who are social and/or interesting (see above), but if all you're bringing to the conversation are Hannity's talking points and other foolishness from Fox News, please, please, please, go play somewhere else. I occasionally refer things of a political nature to the "Top Conservatives On Twitter" hashtag (#TCOT) in the hopes of an intelligent discussion, but I'm not interested in following wingnuts.
"non-partisan" Conservatives. If you expend a lot of twitter-energy posting attacks against Democrats, but then claim to be "non-partisan," because "both sides do bad things," I'll pass on following you. I'm not interested in intellectual dishonesty. Conservatives had control of all three branches of the federal government from January of 2001 to January of 2007. The Democrats' role in where we are now is NOT equal to what we saw from Republicans over those six years.
"non-partisan" Liberals. If you voted for Nader in 2000 or 2004, I'm not the kind of guy who's going to get along with your way of thinking. It's clear there really was a difference between Republicans and Democrats in 2000, and if you don't see it by now, I won't be the one helping you to find a clue. I'm a "Daily Kos Democrat" who is committed to removing the Republican party from political control in this country.
Thumpers. I was raised Catholic in New Orleans. I've lived my life walking past street preachers damning me for my religious beliefs. If I can ignore you in real life, I'm certainly going to ignore you on Twitter. If religion dominates your tweets to an unhealthy degree, I'm going to take a pass. OH, and Apologetics class is down the hall, take a left--it's the second door on your right. Keep walking right past here, please.
Fundamentalist Pagans. You lot are probably the one thing I have less patience with than Thumpers. I see a lot of value, virtue, and spirituality in Christianity, particularly in Catholicism. There are mountains of crap to go with that value, virtue, and spirituality, but wholesale, angry, bitter rejection of a religion is something for which I don't have time. I'm actually more patient with "fluffy bunny" Wiccans than fundamentalists. They may be clueless, but they're usually not so bloody angry at everything.
"Social Networking Experts." That snarky comment in my bio blurb isn't there just to be snarky. I have a job and a life. I have a blog or two as well. I'm not bad at this computer stuff, and I don't appreciate condescension from those who with newly-discovered computer expertise. My work is of a nature that I'm not likely to hire you, so you can scratch me off your potential client list. I may be in a position to refer you to folks I know, however, if you treat me with respect and you're social on here. Additionally, if all you do is tweet about how you have meetings and phone calls with other supposed "social networking experts," that's not something I find interesting. You're welcome to follow me and I'll gladly engage you in conversation if you @-reply me, but I'll pass on that strong a daily dose of self-promotion.
Yeah, a lot of this is judgmental, I know. Feel free to discuss, or flame away in comments.
(Updated 23-Nov-2008)
Stumble It!
I actually think your following criteria is wise. It's how we choose friends in the face to face world after all.
Your voice is fun to read. Thanks for sharing.
@ilinap
Dead on and darn funny. I like your tweets, and also gag anytime I see "social media guru" or similar. I'd rather DO social media than talk about it.
I agree with just about everything you write and not just the broad brushstrokes either.
My contempt for self proclaimed social network experts (I know one such creature who couldn't even use a browser six months ago) knows no bounds. I am going to steal your thoughts (with attribution and link of course) for my own electronic rag.
Regarding religion, nothing is worse than a fundamentalist atheist.
Politically I will argue and discuss with anyone who agrees on basic post Enlightenment treatment of facts. The more the conclusions differ, the more fun to be had.
lol! All great points. I may direct my new followers to your page! ;-) So I'm hoping I fit somewhere in that Kindred Spirit category or you'll be unfollowing me soon. And that would just suck.
@ImWendy
HA! I love this post. I have way more criteria than you even, because you know how much I dislike people in general.
However, I adore YOU.
Also I hate autofollows, autoDMs, and people who say HEY WHY DIDN'T YOU FOLLOW ME BACK? Putting me on the spot is NOT the way to make friends.
Is all I'm saying.
xoxoxoxox
Shannon
akaMonty
I could not have said it better....and would probably have used more expletives. well done!
Totally in agreement with your criteria and if I may be so bold -we are kindred spirits. I often quote the Daily Kos in my articles on politics, and the hypocrisy issues also interest me. I expect politicians to tow the line, walk the walk and pay their income taxes. Maybe I am weird but that's how I get through the madness.
Thanks for saying "what I have been thinking".
Cheers
Teriss
Hey YatPundit, Some very interesting points! I will direct my followers that I feel will enjoy your views,especially those on Hubig's Pies and Barq's Ha!ha!ha! I say that because I live in Thailand, and what I wouldn't do for a Roast Beef Po-Boy a Barq's Root Beer and a Hubig's Pie right now. I'm a Republican as is my family,but have no problem whatsoever with Democrats, because like you said, there are good and bad alike. I personally think everyone(maybe a few exceptions)of them are liars and thieves, God forgive me. I too am a Kindred Spirit,so having said that,I hope to keep our lines of communication open. I saved this for last to keep you guessing,but yes,I am a native New Orleanian who grew up in East New Orleans up until 1998 when my grandparents passed away. Well, it's 0430 here in Thailand,so I better hit the hay. God Bless adn Be Safe!
Your Friendly Internet Aviator_1,
Cpt.Michael R. Metzler Sr, "Out"
"Semper Fidelis"
*God Bless Our Troops*
A pleasure to meet you, Cpt. Metzler!