Twitter is a Spam Farm
“Twitter’s value is in links…. What happened when Twitter started, it was supposed to change the face of communications–what happened with all of that?” asks Loren Feldman, founder of 1938Media in his most recent diatribe about the tech industry. “It’s a link farm, it’s a spam farm. There’s no conversations. It doesn’t f*cking matter, you idiots, changing your location to Iran? Jesus, you’re f*cking stupid. Unbelievable! … It’s all a bunch of f*cking lies! No one cares about your Twitter. Just put up your link and that’s it!”
His outburst touches on several issues Feldman has with the 140 Conference, in particular comments made yesterday by Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist and principal of Union Square Ventures who talked about the power of Twitter in getting links out.
The 140 Character Conference (#140conf) focused on how Twitter is changing the way individuals and industries do a lot of things. From the use of Twitter in diplomacy to breaking news, from personal relationships to connecting with our favorite stars, the world is no longer what it once was and the 140 Conference sought to explore that.
Whether or not the conference is essential or even beneficial, I don’t know, because I did not attend. What I can say is that Twitter is a great tool. Yes, you can use it for links, but the key word here is not “links,” it’s “use.” Twitter is a tool. You can create a spam farm or you can create conversation. You can follow people who primarily communicate with links, or you can connect with people who generate discussions. You can command an audience within your industry or network with friends.
It’s entirely up to you.
So if you wake up and one morning and find yourself buried in horsesh*t, well, baby, I guess you’re a horse.
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June 18th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
With all due respect, Loren Feldman is a fucking idiot. I was at the conference and the speakers were moving, passionate and sincere. They are busy building communities and Loren was busy skulking in a corner.
Of course Twitter has no value when you follow 100 people. I listen to an incredible amount of diverse voices. Twitter provides me quality links and insight, why? Because I listen.
Loren’s schtick is old, can we just put him to bed already?
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AV Flox Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
While I enjoy Feldman’s satire of the industry, I think Twitter is changing the way we do everything and a conference that shows the public how it’s revolutionizing different industries is important and relevant. As I say in post, though, it’s a tool: don’t hate the pen for your ugly handwriting.
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June 18th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
currently, there is a lot of spam in the mix on twitter, but many of us can attest to the fact that twitter still offers conversation. if loren talks to ppl like that all the time, i wouldn’t be surprised if no one wants to engage him in conversation.
although, if what lf says about pulver offering to take equity in a company in lieu of the conference fee, i’d agree, it’s a silly proposal.
however, if feldman misses the effect twitter’s had on the democratization of news, he’s missing a lot.
if u produce good content, or u r a purveyor of interesting content, (many of us do both) ppl will want ur content, sure, but they only *want* it if they feel like they r “connected” to u, and the only way that happens is by some level of conversation/interaction.
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AV Flox Reply:
June 29th, 2009 at 3:25 am
Absolutely right, Brooks. And if anyone knows about interaction, it’s you.
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June 18th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Oh thank you so much for saying that it’s a tool. For every person that says, “well what do you use it for? Isn’t it just some dumb time suck?” I ask, “well what do you use the telephone for?”
Speaking of tool…no. Forget it. Too easy.
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June 23rd, 2009 at 2:24 am
As with anything in life, it is what you make of it! What I see (as do many others) is opportunity. Personally, I’m making the most of it. And there are a lot of great causes out there doing the same.
Ricardo Bueno´s last blog ..We’re Moving to Aweber!
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June 25th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Thanks for your eloquent rebuttal of Feldman– I agree completely. Gutenberg’s printing press was a tool for spreading trash as well as great literature. It’s all about how you use it.
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June 29th, 2009 at 2:51 am
From my perspective, the most interesting thing about Twitter is its “lack of apparentness.” It is somewhat like exceptional sake and sushi – an acquired taste, which takes time.
It has taken me months to appreciate its usefulness, and explaining it to friends often takes longer. I frequently refer to it as a tool which exponentially distributes one’s connections and message.
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AV Flox Reply:
June 29th, 2009 at 3:26 am
Absolutely. I think you’ll enjoy tomorrow’s post about Follow Friday, as well.
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July 4th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I agree with you really, Twitter is a tool and its up to people how to use it. Crucially, people have to opt-in in the first place, ie follow, whereas spam, in my opinion is where you get something without ever opting in at all. Its also far easier to igore a one-line status update than delete or unsubscribe from an email.
Twitter for those who want to communicate genuinely is great for that, but others can use that too. See Facebook, is doesn’t have just one purpose anymore either.
Tom Gurney / Fine Arts´s last blog ..Alphonse Mucha Art – Alphonse Mucha Prints, Posters & Paintings
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