A person on Twitter posed the question, "Is it better to follow or be followed?" Here's my response:I signed up for my Twitter account with eyes opened and feet firmly on the ground. I had and still don't have any extra-ordinary expectations for the time I invest online interacting with people I follow or choose to follow me. It can be flattering when I'm followed by people I wouldn't have otherwise known. I'm curious: "How DID they find me? What was so interesting that they opted to follow?" "Is this person trying to boost their Twitter numbers, and have no real interest in interacting with me?" I don't (immediately) follow every person that follows me.
I'm not on Twitter for a numbers game. I must feel a quality connection over mere numbers. I read a Twitter article that talked about personality types, one of which was a Twitter snob. Sorry folks, I'm no snob, but I don't care to read about every mundane detail of someone's life. I always try to offer information tips, tools, and links to my followers when online. Is Twitter an out of control schoolyard sandbox without a set of written and/or understood rules? Perhaps it is.
I'm not interested in everyone who follows me. I'm not interested in people who forget they've a Twitter account, spammers, or those on a constant mission to push products. I enjoy the time I spend on Twitter, but don't take it or myself too seriously when online. Is Twitter here to stay, or the latest online craze? Twitter can be addictive if you're not careful. Twitter is a tool. Use it at your discretion, but it's probably best not to mandate rules. I live in a democracy until further notice. It's better to be true to yourself and allow the gurus, superstars, and pundits do what they will to keep themselves happy.
Guilt should have no place on something that is meant to be fun, interactive, and entertaining. Enjoy life!
This cartoon sums it for me: Twitter in Real Life: The Follow-Back
