In my recent post, The Importance of Social Media, I mentioned that Twitter has been coming under fire lately for a variety of reasons. One study from Rutgers University declares that Twitter is “all about me.” Yet another study, from San Diego State University, seems to show that social media is for narcissists. And still one more study seems to indicate that much of what is found on Twitter is merely “pointless babble.” Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s football coach has banned Twitter usage for his players, calling Twitter users “a bunch of narcissists.”
So…does the research and public opinion match up with reality? Are those of us who use Twitter merely narcissistic, self-centered babblers? (And yes, I know there are those who believe that is a perfect description for how I personally use Twitter and other social media….)
I guess my first answer to these types of comments is, if this is true, is it really any different from how we live our lives? Research Danah Boyd argues just this point in a recent blog responding to the “Twitter is Babble” meme. She correctly writes:
I challenge each and every one of you to record every utterance that comes out of your mouth (and that of everyone you interact with) for an entire day. And then record every facial expression and gesture. You will most likely find what communications scholars found long ago – people are social creatures and a whole lot of what they express is phatic communication. (Phatic expressions do social work rather than conveying information… think “Hi” or “Thank you”.)
Now, turn all of your utterances over to an analytics firm so that they can code everything that you’ve said. I think that you’ll be lucky if only 40% of what you say constitutes “pointless babble” to a third party ear.
In other words, Twitter is merely an extension of our social selves. Wasn’t that the point in the first place? And by being social on Twitter, we are being “real” and “genuine,” for the most part. Which is exactly why Twitter is such a great marketing tool. It gives us (businesses, marketers, organizations) a chance to connect with real people.
Aside from the “babble” perspective, there is the charge that those of us on Twitter are narcissists. All we do is talk about “me, me, me.” Again, perhaps there is some truth to that, in that it is merely an extension of our everyday conversation. Listen to your conversations at work or home. How many times are we self-referential? And these studies generally code the use of words such as personal pronouns: me, my, we, I, etc. But using those words doesn’t necessarily translate to narcissism.
Part of being social is building relationships. We build relationships, and by extension, community, when we get to know each other. This happens via sharing information about ourselves.
My biggest argument against the supposed self-centered nature of social media is purely anecdotal. Here in Lancaster, and on a larger scale, Central PA, I am part of an amazing community. This community exists in real life, but has it’s roots in social media, and many of us have yet to meet face to face. And yet, I would consider them friends. Throughout the day, a large number of us communicate via Twitter, and on multiple occasions I have witnessed community in its truest sense: selflessness, as opposed to selfishness. When a member of this community is hurting, whether it be illness, financial difficulty, job loss, or even loss of a loved one, I have seen this community rally around them.
“Hey, I’m moving this weekend…who can help?”
“I just lost my job, anyone have any leads for me?”
“My friend’s child just died, please be praying”
Did you see it? I, Me, My. Self-centered? Narcissistic? Babble? No, these are real people talking about real things, and it gives the community the chance to be a true community. And that community is not just people. It includes businesses and organizations.
Is there pointless stuff on Twitter? Sure! Do some people use it to say stupid things? Of course! But again, for most of us, social media is merely an extension of real life.
See you on Twitter!
