From Twitter with Love

Ok. So a few days ago I rashly told a couple of my followers on Twitter that I thought Twitter could be seen as a metaphor for love. Needless to say they were a little incredulous at this most sweeping of statements.

I agreed, in my infinite wisdom to back this up with a Blog post (something i've never done before). This is that very post.

Cast your minds back to when you first thought about creating a Twitter account. 'What's it all about?' 'Is it for me?' 'How do I do it?' Sound familiar?

Now think back to being a teenager. About the curiosity you felt for members of the opposite sex (or same sex if you're built that way). To how it was both mystifying and yet compelling to think about being with someone. Those questions certainly crossed my mind as a rather nervous young man. In particular 'How do I do it!'

So far so tenuous, but bear with me.

 So you decide 'everyone else is doing it so why don't I!' You take the plunge and....set up your twitter account. You are immediately hit with a barrage of things you never even considered. What do I call myself? Do I put a picture up (I don't wanna look bad)? How do I describe myself (I want to sound interesting)? WHAT THE HELL DO I SAY????

Look back to your first tweet. Full of trepidation and anxiety. Will people like me? What do I talk about? Are people interested? Now imagine you're thinking of asking out your first crush. Or just trying to talk to them. You want to appear cool, interesting, fun and exciting. You probably come across like a gibbon with photosensitive epilepsy but you're trying SO hard not to. It may not be as anxiety ridden but its a similar thought process isn't it?

So your accounts created and slowly you navigate the minefield of selecting who to follow, who to ignore and (deep breath to steady yourself) who to block. You get talking, you find people who make you laugh or feel good. You find people like you. You're more confident now. Less self aware. You tweet things you never considered at the start of your tweeting. What you had for breakfast, what you're watching on tv (i'm a Supernatural fan myself), who you're off out with, how shitty your day is and on it goes.

Twitter is no longer frightening or new. It's comfortable, easy, reassuring even. It has become an integral part of your routine and you wonder what your missing if you've not logged in for a while.

How is this like love? Well. You're first flush of honeymoon period is over. You know more about who you are and where you fit. You know what you want and you've found it. Sure, its not perfect (nothing is) but its right for you. You want trust, companionship, security and smiles. Lots of smiles. You fall out (unfollow), you make up, you go out (tweetup), you play daft games and say silly things (hashtag game), you share more and more of yourself. Just like you do with your long term regular followers.

Sure you row about things (trust me twitter is full of that) and one of you is bound to say something stupid once in a while (that too). But it doesn't mean that's it. It means you're human and you're loved one is there through it all (on twitter your best followers stick with you even when you tweet self indulgent wallowing crap about how shit your life is).

Those great days when you come home to a nice surprise that makes you grin like an idiot are a bit like getting follower requests. Little love notes or texts a bit like direct messages.

For the single tweeter it ain't so bad either. There's all these people and they're all possibilities for friendship and maybe more. Anyone of your twitter followers could brighten your day with a simple word. Lots of my followers are single and some have made good friendships through twitter.

Twitter is society all squished into one 140 character space. There is good. There is bad. There is downright disgusting (Kenneth Tong anyone). There are funny people, sad people, talented people, crazy people, even 'normal' people. Everyone has an opinion and most are happy to share it.

Twitter is like love because in many ways its like life. It's people. Talking. And if all else fails and love doesn't work out? Deactivate your account and create a new one.

This blog maybe utter rubbish. You may not agree (wouldn't it be dull if you all did?)! But its my two pence worth of opinion on an utterly unimportant subject.

I hope it entertained you for 5 minutes.

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