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Twitter has extended that metaphor to include aspects of our experience that used to be considered off-set: eating pizza in bed, reading a book in the tub, thinking a thought anywhere, flossing. Effectively, it makes the greasepaint permanent, blurring the lines not only between public and private but also between the authentic and contrived self. If all the world was once a stage, it has now become a reality TV show: we mere players are not just aware of the camera; we mug for it.
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New technologies also bring with them fresh threats. As journalism becomes more networked there are still choices that we must make as journalists, citizens or politicians to decide what kind of media – what quality of news – we want. There is nothing innately virtuous, democratic or valuable about the Internet.
How does what the NYTimes mentioned not constitute a broadcasting of trivial conceits? For instance, there’s a couple of people who I follow who post the most inane tripe imaginable…punctuated by a witticism or observation that makes it worthwhile following them.
Narcissism online within social media is ubiqitous whether you like it or not. However to many who value their own image it means being responsive to others who take the time to tweet or otherwise comment you something that strikes a chord. The drive to be kind and considerate often stems from a subconscious or conscious wish of notice or acknowledgment for yourself; but that makes it no less positive if ulterior motives aren’t a factor.
Human nature isn’t going anywhere, and vain self-display with all the positives and negatives isn’t either. Those who blanket the entire Twitter phenomena with generalizing tripe like ‘Hur hur if brevity is soul of wit what explains tweeting?!’ are missing a whole lot of value or just haven’t talked to enough ordinary modern folks to realize that behaviour online like this was inevitable.
I might do an article for societyguardian that pontificates on this theme; nothing like getting the CIF trolls stoked up to snarky factor 20. Want to team up and publish it along with Sarah?
We can call it ‘Social Media Isn’t All Tomfoolery And Ego.’
Pete @ dirtygarnet.com
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Since I e-mailed you with my identity as you requested, perhaps now I’m permitted to engage? I have to assume by your previous words that ‘intelligent debate’ on an ‘equal platform’ is now possible.
So how about it?
Pete @dirtygarnet.com
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I didn’t receive any such email. I have done my own investigations however…..please add your name to this thread and we’ll talk…
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Since I e-mailed you with my identity as you requested, perhaps now I’m permitted to engage? I have to assume by your previous words that ‘intelligent debate’ on an ‘equal platform’ is now possible.
So how about it?
Pete @dirtygarnet.com
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I didn’t receive any such email. I have done my own investigations however…..please add your name to this thread and we’ll talk…
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