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November 29, 2010
My 30-Day Twitter Experiment (Pt 1)
Five boundaries to keep tweets from corroding your soul.
Last November I wrote a blog post titled “Why I Don’t Tweet … Not That There’s Anything Wrong With It.” The spark for the post came from a brief interaction with Ed Stetzer about Twitter. A prolific tweeterer (is that a word?), he was shocked to learn I didn’t tweet and wanted to know why. So I put fingers to keyboard and articulated 10 reasons–some rooted in my understanding of faith and discipleship and others clearly tongue in cheek (like #8: “Ashton Kutcher”).
I got a lot of traffic out of that post. Some applauded my reasons for not tweeting, others pointed out holes in my logic. Some incorrectly interpreted my post as condemning those who tweet despite my title clearly stating the opposite. One response came from my friend, Chris Grant (@ChrisJGrant). He gave a presentation to a group of authors about the challenges facing writers in the rapidly shifting world of publishing. The first point of Chris’ talk was “Skye Jethani is right about Twitter. Now he should start tweeting.”
I listened to Chris’s argument in which he challenged me to try tweeting without slipping into the soul-eroding, self-obsessive tendencies I wrote about in my post. I was intrigued by our conversation. Could I engage a medium like Twitter and not succumb to its pitfalls? Had I written off tweeting too soon? Does it at least deserve a try?
I decided to accept Chris’ challenge. I would try tweeting for one month to determine if I could engage Twitter in a redemptive way that would not erode my soul, and then write a follow-up post about my experience. (Ironically, Chris is a marketer, so by accepting his advice I violated of my 7th reason for not tweeting: “I’m tired of obeying marketers.” The intersection of marketing and ministry still makes me dizzy and occasionally nauseous, but I respect Chris because he shares my distaste for unreflective Christian promotional efforts.)
Launching my 30 day Twitter experiment wasn’t as simple as registering and tweeting about my morning tea. I wanted to begin with certain safeguards in place and some clear guidelines for my use of Twitter. I needed boundaries to avoid slipping into the Twitter tendencies I wrote about in my “Why I Don’t Tweet” post. Here’s what I came up with:
No solo-tweeting. In “Why I Don’t Tweet” I hypothesized that many people engage Twitter because they want a witness to their life, someone to notice them, and therefore feel significant (reason #10). I did not want Twitter to become a substitute for the only witnesses to my life that really matter–my wife and my Lord. So I included Amanda (and my close friend, Dan) in my Twitter experiment for accountability. Amanda registered on Twitter and only follows one person–me. She checks my tweets and looks for signs that I’m getting off track or wandering beyond the boundaries listed here. We all need “soul friends” that help us guard against our worst enemy–ourselves.
No ego-tweeting. I really wanted to tweet in a manner that would benefit and bless others. But let’s be honest, a lot of tweets serve no one but the person writing them. You know what I’m talking about…the tweets designed to make you envious of their life and depressed about your own. These tweets shout, Look where I am! Look who I’m with! Look what I just did! “Great meeting at the White House this morning. Now off for lattes with Bono and Bill Hybels. Love this new iPad.” To avoid ego-tweeting I would not name drop or place drop and try to only include info helpful to my readers (I refuse to call you “followers.”) I wanted people to feel better after reading my tweets, not worse and definitely not envious.
No auto-tweeting. Sarah Pulliam Bailey (@spulliam) ponders a great question in one of here tweets: “don’t know y xian leadrs twt in airports.” Some folks tweet on autopilot. No matter what they’re doing, no matter where they are, every mundane detail of their day gets posted for others to read. Auto-tweeting has two problems–it bores readers and it interferes with real relationships. It’s one thing if a meeting gets interrupted by a phone call, but please don’t ignore what I’m saying so you can tweet about the fried zucchini spears. As a culture we are increasingly struggling with being present. Our minds are always somewhere else. Again, my principle of tweeting for the sake of others meant avoiding meaningless and mundane tweets, and not tweeting while engaged with a real live human.
No bozo-tweeting. My reasons for not tweeting #2 and #3 both fall into the category of bozo-tweeting. From a desire to be funny, provocative, or just noticed, some folks act like idiots on Twitter. I did not want to “tweet and regret” which meant no clowning around on Twitter; no going for the cheap laugh. And while 140 characters is enough space for banter and superficial chit chat, it’s terrible for meaningful and nuanced conversation. I didn’t want to engage in deeper dialogue via Twitter that might result in miscommunication or misunderstanding. Every medium must be respected for what it is and it must not be asked to carry a burden it was not intended to lift. A tweet is not a sermon, just as a blog post is not a book.
No astro-tweeting. Twitter has been praised by many as a truly grassroots medium. We’ve seen it used by revolutionaries in Iran to spread news about government oppression, and by the Tea Party movement to spread news about … well, Dancing With the Stars. But sometimes what appears to be an authentic, organic, grassroots movement is really a manufactured, fake, and manufactured agenda. It’s astroturf. So I decided not to use my tweets as a marketing tool for corporations or candidates. No selling, no promotions, no pushing product.
These are the boundaries I started my 30 Day Twitter Experiment with. How well did I stick to these parameters? I’ll talk about that in my next post along with how I think Twitter can be used to benefit and bless others. Finally, I’ll share my thinking about tweeting now that I’ve actually given it a fair try.
Comments
Oh no, Skye, you didn't!
I feel like yelling, "nooooooo, not Skye too!"
Alas, even my wife has taken to twitter...and for some odd reason my regressive desire to not be part of the information overload society is driving me to a less technological life-style...so, for me, I hear the mountains calling me to my yet to be built log cabin.
Poor Skye...you have my sympathy.
Posted By: sheerahkahn | November 29, 2010 10:54 AM
all social medias are different and cater to a different purpose and crowd. but i just don't see the reasons for tweeting much different than blogging, facebooking, linkedinning, etc.
but i like many of your astute reasons for not doing it. thanks for sharing
Posted By: Bradley Grinnen | November 29, 2010 11:31 AM
Why the obsession with tweeting/non-tweeting? By making such a big pronounced deal about whether to tweet or not, you've paradoxically focused a lot of extra attention on YOU and your own angst about tweeting--demonstratinging you proudly place yourself above those who just tweet for fun, communicate with friends, or tweet for any number of other personal reasons. Have grace, man. If you don't like the way someone tweets, don't follow them. If you want to make a personal statement against marketers or the Kutcher fan club, do you think any of the rest of us really care?
If you feel like its putting too much pressure on your public image, let it go. Maybe putting your foot in your mouth a few times would be good for you. Welcome to the world of the rest of us who aren't so erudite.
If you feel like tweeting, tweet. If you don't, don't. If you feel like telling a few friends about something fun you did, fine. If you send an ego tweet, repent--we don't even have to know or care.
Relax, there's grace.
Posted By: Ben | November 29, 2010 12:00 PM
Ben, my sentiments exactly. Skye, this post seems to be all about you and what you do. The following text comes to mind: Luke 18:11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this [guy who twitters]."
Posted By: Elegance | November 29, 2010 12:36 PM
Why I don't tweet, and why I no longer blog or (use) Facebook:
Life isn't all about me and my silly opinions or rantings. I can understand culture and technology, faith, and discipleship without being an "author/speaker/blogger" and having to announce it from the rooftops.
Posted By: Anonymous | November 29, 2010 1:54 PM
Valid points.... Looking forward to the follow up.. in 30 days time...
Posted By: el dhjax | November 29, 2010 2:23 PM
It'll be interesting to see your conclusions.
I don't facebook or twitter. Mostly because I honestly don't want people seeing everything about me and I also think most people don't care that much.
A second reason is that by nature I'm cynical and that would definitely work itself out if I allowed that kind of access to my immediate thoughts. I don't think that's very glorifying.
It would be very interesting to see how historians in 1,000 years will think about all of this. Some of it is good. (I do follow people on twitter, mostly news and sports updates) Some of it is very, very bad. (Apparently Halloween has changed its meaning for anyone over the age of 15 years old...to a very disturbing trend.)
I'm not a huge fan of any of this, but when its properly harnessed it can be a HUGE opportunity for ministry.
Posted By: Robert A | November 29, 2010 3:43 PM
Skye,
I don't remember being shocked that you did not tweet, but rather being surprised at your objection to it (which you articulated later).
Lots of people don't Tweet, and object to its promotional tendency, but they are not usually in the publishing field!
On the other hand, I think you hold the record for the most soul-searching public discussions about the narcissism of Twitter. ;-)
Now, we wait for the completion of your multi-part blog series announcing your future Twitter plans. (OK, I amused myself with that last sentence.)
Either way, I am glad you are on Twitter... at least for now. (And I really do look forward to the next installment.)
God bless,
Ed
Posted By: Ed Stetzer | November 29, 2010 8:28 PM
I found your blog post via someone else's tweet. :)
Posted By: Neil Johnston | November 29, 2010 9:30 PM
I find your reaction to Twitter, fear of being egotistical and need for "accountability" to make sure you don't do the wrong thing very interesting. It points to one of the glaring challenges I've observed in American Christian culture since coming to faith as an adult in 2003. Despite the clear biblical language casting a life in Christ as one of freedom and genuine transformation of heart, mind and behavior, American Christians frequently describe themselves as white-knuckling on the brink of transgression at any moment if someone is not looking over our shoulders. In recovery (I am a sober alcoholic) this type of behavior is exhibited by those who decide to stop drinking but have yet to experience the spiritual, physical and emotional promises of true sobriety. They know sobriety but don't "know" sobriety. Unfortunately, I see the same thing among people of faith. They know the faith but do not "know" the freedom genuine transformation of heart and mind affords. I know you are an influential writer and leader, so what do I know. Tweet or don't Tweet - live with accountability partners looking over your shoulder or don't. There is no one right way to practice this faith if our eyes are on Jesus. That said, as a lifelong atheist turned unlikely Christian in my late 30s, I have to tell you that outsiders looking in are confused by the contradiction between the rhetoric that claims Christ's power and followers who do not live in it.
Posted By: Joan Ball | November 29, 2010 9:45 PM
I am surprised that so many people seem to have misread or misunderstood Skye. His title finishes with "...not that there's anything wrong with it." He never said that twitter is wrong, or that tweeting is wrong. I have seen numerous tweets which display the very characteristics which he warns us of--boastfulness, pride, search for significance/identity, childishness, and other errors. I suspect that many who have responded in opposition have done so because Skye has struck a nerve. I think of 1 Cor 10:31(ESV), "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." In the words of A.W. Tozer, if eating and drinking, which are shared by the lowly beasts of the field, can be done to the glory of God, it is hard for me to imagine anything that can not be. Implication being tweeting ("whatever you do") should also be done to the glory of God, and this brother is challenging us to stay that course. Thank you, Skye, and bless you, readers.
Posted By: Aaron Cline | November 30, 2010 12:51 AM
Hello Skye!
I too, found your blog by reading a friend's tweet.
While I like Ben's perspective - it really isn't a big deal - it occurred to me that your self-analyzation helped me to do the same.
I read the tweets of those I "follow" (term doesn't bother me because I doubt anyone interprets it incorrectly) because they simply inform, challenge, or amuse me. The mundane and meaningless are not followed.
I look forward to reading your future installments on tweeting. In the meantime, if you have a "nugget" that could bless, encourage, inspire, challenge or make me laugh please share. If not, don't ;-)
Bless you!
Mark
Posted By: Mark Bordeaux | November 30, 2010 8:40 AM
As the Bible says: Be quick to listen and slow to Tweet.
Or something like that.
Posted By: Jarrod | November 30, 2010 9:02 AM
I share Skye's deep hesitancy to get involved with the increasingly popular medium of Twitter. I am a college student and surrounded by friends who update their twitters regularly with information that I could care less about. From a theoretical standpoint, I agree with Marshall Mcluhan that "the medium is the message." Twitter, then, is only serving to reinforce the shallowness and fast-paced conversational style that is so prevalent today with its 140 character limit. However, all that being said, I also applaud Skye's effort to be engaged in culture and I hope that he can stick to his principles and prove me wrong about my stance on Twitter. I am curious to see how many people will be following him and if other people will pick up from his cues of how to tweet wisely.
Posted By: AJ | December 1, 2010 2:29 AM
One of the most telling examples of the rising narcissism and detachment from reality that too many of the "social" media platforms are bring was exampled several weeks ago.
Bill Nye (the Science Guy) was giving a talk at a university and suddenly collapsed on stage. No one in the audience moved, but all started updating their facebook and twitter providing blow-by-blow accounts of what had just happened.
Nye was fine and continued in his lecture, but not because of the concern of the student before him.
Posted By: Robert | December 1, 2010 9:22 AM
That is a really, really scary story about Bill Nye. Exhibit A for Skye's concern about being "present." I just returned from a visit with family and it was wonderful to all be there, in the flesh, very much present.
This, to me, is the larger issue, especially with our young, and our self-impressed Christian leaders tweeting from the airport.
Posted By: Elizabeth | December 1, 2010 12:34 PM
Soul erosion via Twitter. Interesting concept. I can think of many other activities provided by the Internet that contribute to soul erosion more than Twitter. Your problem with Twitter is your soul erosion is public. Whereas, with let's say, internet porn you can take it private. Get real.
Posted By: Aaron | December 2, 2010 11:33 AM
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