I once read a Tweet that went, "Facebook makes you hate people you know and Twitter makes you love people you've never met."That, ladies and gents, pretty much sums it up ...
Facebook is a relationship-based network while Twitter is content-based.
When it comes to Facebook you usually know the people who populate your feed. And let's be honest - how many people from high school or your last job share your taste in music, political beliefs or interest in 18th Century romantic literature? (Or to be more honest, who else among your peer group just finished the latest episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta and want to rant about how Laquisha got her weave pulled out?)
Probably not many. And the people you actually know and interact with on a regular basis would judge you for your voyeuristic quirk, compelling you to keep tabs on the dredges of humanity residing along the Jersey Shore or the suburbs of "Hotlanta."
If you're honest you run the risk of alienating the people you actually know.
Enter, Twitter and the Meme.
Personal enough to get to know someone but not personal enough to have to meet face to face.
You can be MORE honest about your views because it's not like you have to attend a cocktail party with anyone 3 months down the road. There's no mutual acquaintances, no small talk, no chit chat.
You have 140 characters to say what you think - so say it. And points are awarded for being clever.
Meanwhile, in Facebook-land, you have to justify why you think things like child labor human trafficking are morally reprehensible to the likes of your Grandma, 2nd grade teacher and ex-girl friends.
Granted, Twitter takes more effort, it's harder to use and it's more obscure. But those are the things that make it great!
You're perceived solely about what you think - not by reputation, action or who your friends are.
Scary when you think about it....
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