Comments on: The Stephen Fry conundrum that throws Twitter’s credibility into question

By: Doug C.

Doug C. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:54:46 +0000

I used to think the same thing, but then I realized Twitter had more to offer than what some people had for breakfast. As with anything there are some people who will ruin it for others. It all depends on how you respond to these types of people. I choose to simply ignore them myself. For me I have discovered that (as Ian said) Twitter can be a great marketing tool.

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:48:21 +0000

Firstly, ‘The responses suggested that the vast majority of people, albeit those who frequent the BBC website and are opinionated enough to share an opinion…’ – I severely hope that, most of the time, the people who comment on the BBC website are not representative of people in general. See also: http://ifyoulikeitsomuchwhydontyougolivethere.com

Secondly: It’s totally true that not every Tom, Dick and Harry is directly on Twitter. Just consider that 1,000,000 is considered a lot of people on Twitter. But does that matter? No. The media is (are?) on Twitter.

The last paragraph of Ian’s comment is dripping with rightness and the nail must be rubbing its head.

By: Ian W. Parker

Ian W. Parker — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:26:09 +0000

The problem lies in the people using the service. Any service, really. In the case of Twitter, I believe there is a lot of noise compared to the overall signal. That “noise” is the behavior of relatively anonymous users in an online tool. There have been studies done showing that when using a communication medium that allows for a level of anonymity, users tend to have less tolerance, show a higher propensity to criticize, and even say things that they would not even consider saying face-to-face.

In other words, Twitter makes it easy to throw insults, but most of those who insulted the original critic probably would not have done so if they were in person. Add to that that age can certainly make a difference in reaction and tactfulness. Of course, the original critic may not have told Stephen Fry that he was boring to his face. Or perhaps he may have as his was a fairly well-phrased critique. He opened with a compliment and then presented what he considered to be a lacking point in Fry’s tweets.

Deconstruction of argument basics and critical feedback aside, the whole thing is ridiculous drama brought on by Fry’s somewhat juvenile overreaction to criticism. I don’t think criticism ever stops stinging a bit, but a professional at his level should be used to it by now and should not be so incensed by an anonymous, off-hand comment. To chalk it up to a mental condition (which is dubious at best to diagnose) is even more preposterous.

The fact that mainstream media picked up the whole debacle and that so many fans cared enough to become a Twitter flash-mob, however, does show that Twitter matters, at least to those who use it. It matters just as much as any social network to which we are currently addicted… until the next big thing comes along. You have proven, Ashley, as have others, that it is definitely an excellent marketing opportunity and a network that should be leveraged while it’s hot.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:52:42 +0000

I think you need to take into account the age demographic of the people that might visit the BBC website and answer the poll therein. Judging by these responses, I doubt that the majority of the respondents here are anywhere near the target market for Twitter.

My guess would be that the average age above is over 40.

My guess of the average age of a twit (user of twitter?) would be about 17, with all the ad revenues and marketing that entails.

By: Ashley Morgan

Ashley Morgan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:52:54 +0000

Thanks Jeff, good catch.

By: Jeff Byrnes

Jeff Byrnes — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:24:08 +0000

Just a heads-up, when you typed
“Pushed hard enough to suggest that Twitter has become excepted and respected by the mainstream.”

You really wanted to say
“Pushed hard enough to suggest that Twitter has become accepted and respected by the mainstream.

At this point, the media DOES seem to take exception to Twitter, so you’re not exactly wrong, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what you meant ;)