C. Anderson Miller's Blog

Large beta test of the engine at 4-in-4.org

The Seven Observed Uses Of Twitter

So I’ve had some thoughts. And I guess this is why people have blogs.

The way I use Twitter is incredibly nontraditional – apparently. When you give me a 140 character venue for saying stuff, I think because of it’s size, it needs to be more carefully considered.

This is likely because of my short-film background, and the fact that I like short stories, and my generally short attention span. But I still believe that less can be much much more.

When you take away space you need to fill, you impress your audience so much more by filling that tiny space with as much as it can hold. And I don’t mean all 140 characters. I mean incredibly carefully chosen, labored over 140 characters. Even if they comprise a dick joke.

I’m now going to list my observed uses of twitter that aren’t how I use it. I don’t understand these uses, and don’t subscribe to them. Anyone who I follow who uses it this way, is likely a friend in real life, and I continue following them because I like them as people, and I don’t want to lose touch with them.

The List

1 I don’t like reading or looking up things so I’m going to treat you guys like my assistants. Get back to me when it’s done.

This is commonly called “lazyweb “ but I like to call it “being an asshole“. You’d be a better and more well rounded person if you at least typed the fucking thing into Google and bothered to read one of the many results you get back.

2 I stapled this to foursquare and now you know where I am all the time isn’t that awesome – it’s like I’m saying important things.

In the same way that I think what is written needs to be carefully considered, I also am more generous than I should be with my time and consideration of other people’s tweets. And if you’re just putting a firehose of “I’m here and here’s a clever thing I’m saying as I check in.” in my face, as I sit down, and take a breath, and read what you’ve “written” I’m not thrilled.

3 Here’s some link I found. http://bit.ly/idontcareaboutyourtime

Great, you found something interesting. That’s awesome. Either tell me why it’s significant to you, or give me SOMETHING for crying out loud. I find things too. Lots of them.

4 I’m going to pimp this thing I’m working on or tell you how this thing I’m pimping is close to what I’m working on.

David Cross said it best, and I’m quoting loosely, but “Everytime you namedrop, it’s like a turd falling out of your mouth, and into my drink.”

corollary: If you are announcing something you made, once, and are finished with, or proud of – I don’t find it so offensive, so long as it’s given generously.

5 RT @someoneelse Some thing someone else said.

I don’t mind this use even a little.
corollary : unless it’s a retweet of one of the previous 4.

6 @otherguy let’s have a public conversation about stuff

I like this one too. Unless it’s about number 7.

7 TRENDING TOPIC IN CAPS
Hadn’t noticed this one till recently. I think you could guess how I feel about it, but if we’re making a list of things I have opinions on in Twitter, the list shouldn’t be without this: I’m against it and it confuses me.

References?

I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that I had this article by the fantastic Merlin Mann on the brain during my thought process on this – and in general, it was incredibly influential in the way I use Twitter and social media.

If you build creative stuff on the internet instead of dance, he is, or should be your Twyla Tharp . You could actually do worse though, than making Twyla Tharp your Twyla Tharp, even if you’re not a dancer.

Tiny Eyebeam

So this is the related post to the “GIANT I-Beam” joke earlier in the blog.

Alberto Tafoya and I have been making a small arts organization. And I of course, mean that very literally. It’s only about 100 square inches. We had it 3d printed after meticulously going over the floor plans, the structural plans, and pictures and measurements that we took ourselves.

Here are some actual pictures of the institution.

But it’s more than just a small joke. It’s about sustainability, the current economy, and the importance of risk taking – however small the risks.

We’ve written more about it at the main page , and it would be swell if you could see to sponsoring a residency.
They are only $50, they last a few days, and an artist has a couple of days to make something wonderful.

Also, if you’re an artist who’d like to apply, we’ve got about 5 more days as of this posting for you to DM @tinyeyebeam with your project submission. The submissions have to be kept to 140 characters, because who do you think you are that you’ll accomplish more than 140 characters of a project in 2 days time?

Saturday Work Sesh

Your shit is lame I don't like it.

Giant I-Beam

There is a joke coming related to this. A pretty good one.