This post is about a musician and twitter, so of course I had to write on this.
John Mayer is a musical/lyrical genius, so he’s got some credibility when he says what is creative and what’s a waste of time. He’s a busy guy. We’re all busy folks.
I’m listening to what he has to say.
As many of you know, John Mayer quit twitter. And some of the reasons that John gives for quitting are pretty valid.
I mean, 140 characters is a pretty small amount of letters to make something that is of huge value. A blog would definitely be a more of a place to make something of substance since you can use as many characters as you want. The only time I’ve seen twitter on its own make a big difference for the good is with twitchange, but even with that people found something wrong with it.
That’s the thing. No matter how much good you do, someone will always find something wrong with it. No doubt.
Back on subject.
I guess twitter is a good place for sending your tweet readers to another site of yours. But, even with the basic use of twitter we want to show people what we are doing and our agenda for the day. This is where we push folks over on our blog, website, photos or whatever else there is. I need some clarity on all of this, so maybe it will take some time to think about it.
Would the time spend on thinking up new tweets be better spent on thinking up better blog posts? Thinking up greater music? Coming up with chapters for new books?
Do you think Mayer brought up any valid points? What good uses have you found with using twitter?
I’m a week old user of twitter. Held out for the longest time. Until I read something Seth Godin had to say. And in the week that I’ve been “tweeting” (still can’t say that without grinning), I realise that I had it wrong. Every time I tweet (grin) I’m sending out a message, like people used send them in bottles all those years ago. I can have say what I have to anyone – directly and let people in without actually letting them in! WOW.
I’m a week old user of twitter. Held out for the longest time. Until I read something Seth Godin had to say. And in the week that I’ve been “tweeting” (still can’t say that without grinning), I realise that I had it wrong. Every time I tweet (grin) I’m sending out a message, like people used send them in bottles all those years ago. I can have say what I have to anyone – directly and let people in without actually letting them in! WOW.
well, i don’t consider myself to be part of the creative class, so my take on this may be coming from a very different place. and may not matter very much. but to me, twitter and social media in general is not about creating art but about creating community.
and from my own experience and journey, true artistic expression and creativity stems from the heart, that deepest place inside us where passion is stirred and inspiration is borne… and the overflow of that is the sense that we can’t help but create. we simply have to. and it’s not conjured up cerebrally, but it is truly birthed in our hearts. and our hearts, i’ve found, are tapped into in a unique way through the fostering, experiencing, and embracing of community. iron sharpens iron. two are better one. we were not made to be an island. in togetherness, our hearts come alive. (and that’s coming from a true introvert over here…) and when our hearts come alive, we create more authentically. we create more beautifully. and we create more passionately.
if we’re using the medium of twitter to genuinely connect with people and develop relationships and cultivate community, i absolutely think those 140 characters are worthwhile.
good stuff. you had a lot to say and I liked everything about it
well, i don’t consider myself to be part of the creative class, so my take on this may be coming from a very different place. and may not matter very much. but to me, twitter and social media in general is not about creating art but about creating community.
and from my own experience and journey, true artistic expression and creativity stems from the heart, that deepest place inside us where passion is stirred and inspiration is borne… and the overflow of that is the sense that we can’t help but create. we simply have to. and it’s not conjured up cerebrally, but it is truly birthed in our hearts. and our hearts, i’ve found, are tapped into in a unique way through the fostering, experiencing, and embracing of community. iron sharpens iron. two are better one. we were not made to be an island. in togetherness, our hearts come alive. (and that’s coming from a true introvert over here…) and when our hearts come alive, we create more authentically. we create more beautifully. and we create more passionately.
if we’re using the medium of twitter to genuinely connect with people and develop relationships and cultivate community, i absolutely think those 140 characters are worthwhile.
good stuff. you had a lot to say and I liked everything about it
Twitter is a way of keeping up with friends and family for me. I see what is going on, occasionally offer a “well done,” direct people to one of my blogs, learn, and find new sources of inspiration. For instance the tweet that sent me here… Valid, yes – makes me think, yes. While Twitter can be full of nonsensical bits, and at times “too much information,” it is, as Alece commented, a way of “creating community.”
good thoughts my friend
Twitter is a way of keeping up with friends and family for me. I see what is going on, occasionally offer a “well done,” direct people to one of my blogs, learn, and find new sources of inspiration. For instance the tweet that sent me here… Valid, yes – makes me think, yes. While Twitter can be full of nonsensical bits, and at times “too much information,” it is, as Alece commented, a way of “creating community.”
good thoughts my friend