To tweet, or not to tweet, that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the long run to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous egos, Or to take steps against their stream of cackles And by quitting, end them? To leave for silence, No more; and in that silence will I end In heart-ache and the fear of missing out That silence is prone to? Is this a step Devoutly to be wished?
Limiting the Chatter
Fortunately for me, the choice to leave Twitter isn’t as serious as Hamlet’s choice “to die: to sleep. . . perchance to dream.” Honestly, I never took to the platform, which seemed more like chatter than conversation. I never put Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn, or Instagram on my phone, not wanting to add to yet more distraction in my life. Since the venomous noise leading up to and since the 2016 election, I’ve receded from social media generally, and I’m happier for it.
Connecting to Colleagues, Friends & Family
I do know those who use Twitter to connect to colleagues, friends, and family. For them, the current dysfunction of the platform is worrisome; they rely on their online community. My community is mostly right here, in the southern half of a rural county with a population density of 57 people per square mile. (I used to live in Manhattan, where there are 74,780 people per square mile.) This is not to say I don’t have friends across the state, region, country and world. I do, and I mostly communicate with them directly, using that quaint method, email, or that nearly antiquated one, the written letter.
Fear of Missing Out
Nevertheless, to quit a once-popular platform entirely feels big. I’ll lose my handle. And here’s the rub: Fear of Missing Out. In my less fearful moments, I remember that tweets, both outlandish and informative, are now part of the news cycle. I’ll hardly miss them even without my own Twitter Account.
Thirty Days to Change My Mind
The process for closing a Twitter account takes time. Today, I’m deactivating it. If I don’t use it for the next thirty days, the account disappears. Is there value to staying on Twitter I’m not seeing? Or is it about time to let the account go?
Please share your opinions in the comments below. Spelling and grammar don’t count, but civility does. Thanks.
I have never used Twitter, TikTok or Instagram. I communicate by phone (how old fashioned of me!) by snail mail and email. There are a few people I text to but to me that is a 1 or 2 word means of communicating. “running late” or “almost there” Texting to me is not a form of real communication. I do realize at 72 years old I am antiquated. I still write thank you letters, mail out birthday and holiday cards, and have 2 pen pals–yes thru the postal system not electronically. But as my youngest son reminds me, I am chronologically challenged.
Thanks for your comment!
I never took to Twitter either. Facebook is enough to keep me caught up with family and friends. I check Twitter now and again to see what the buzz is all about.
I had that same debate in my head as well. Like you, I was not a very active Twitter user, but I ultimately decided to hang on to my account for now, but trimmed it back to nothing. I unfollowed everyone and everything and disconnected anyone following me. I figure I’ll leave the account active but unused, and in six months or a year from now, if Twitter becomes a saner place, my username is still mine and I can re-engage however I see fit. If it’s still a mess, I can always decide to delete it at a later time.
Of course, I miss the satisfaction of deleting my account in protest, but I can live with that.
The satisfaction is greater than I expected, but I probably would have tried your elegant workaround if I’d thought of it.
I haven’t used Twitter for months. I was going to start again and use it to follow a few people that I enjoy, but now I’m not sure. Like you, I have to think it over. I’ve never paid attention to people I don’t respect. One of these days I’ll take time to see how many I do respect are still on it. Short answer: Undecided, unsure.
What can I say? I’m an avid user of Twitterdom. I don’t like the vitriol often present. I do like the bit of writing community I’ve found there, a particular source for personalized very short fiction, a new friend in Ireland and one in Bona Vista, and my children, who are prolific twitterers. In a world very much isolated, I must admit to enjoying the connection.
Yes, I know others who find the same source of connection from Twitter. Like you, they are adept users. I like the brevity of the format, but I’ve never understood the following part and never learned to make it work for me. I know this takes some of the luster out of leaving the platform, but I find myself culling my address book, pantry shelves and sock drawer this time of year. This was just part of clearing the decks for the New Year.
Hi Deborah,
Apologies for not having been in touch for so long and I’d like to wish you and your family a very happy and peaceful holiday season.
I deleted my Twitter app just before Christmas and so far have resisted reinstalling it. I’ve tried giving it up before but weakened – fear of missing out! But this time I’ve realised I waste a huge amount of time on it and learn very little. I mostly look at political stuff which, given the dire state of the U.K. under this awful govt, is not good for my mental health.
So instead I’ll focus on reading more books, planning walks with friends and continuing with learning Spanish.
Feliz año nuevo!
Judith
So good to hear from you!
Hi Deborah,
I should do it all on paper to see how right all nots. Out first on any ways to see how they look first .
I have said time and again I need to learn to keep one’s mouth closed, but I do not seem to know when to, just do that very thing.
We do not have twitter so not an issue in this home.