I joined the Twitter revolution this summer when I got sick of seeing lesser sites use social networking more effectively than we do. I don’t know if Twitter has actually made as much of a difference as I would like it to have done when it comes to traffic on the site, but it has become a part of my daily life. I love updating my friends and readers with everything from the mundane to the profound, and there are a lot of very cool people out there whose Twitters I follow.
There are already some celebrities on Twitter – I follow James Gunn and I love reading Bryan Lee O’Malley’s occasionally grouchy updates (plus I get to know just how the latest Scott Pilgrim book is doing – ie, I know when he’s playing Xbox all day). Warren Ellis has his own Twitter cult. And then there are my colleagues in the film journalism/review world, who often get to be a little looser on Twitter than they are on their own sites.
But until now none of these people have been high profile enough to really launch Twitter to the next level. Until recently, when Shaquille O’Neal joined the service. And it would be one thing if Shaq was Twittering and it sucked, but since his stuff approaches the level of genius – sometimes Dada genius – I feel like he alone is reason enough for hold outs to join the service.
Here are some recent greatest hits from Shaq (and it’s really him. While Twitter is littered with fake celeb Twitters and with phony Twitters from fictional characters, Shaq has been verified):
Im at a italian restaraunt, the fettucini was fabuloso 6:52 PM Nov 18th from txt
what do u call a guy wit 4 rings , i know THE REAL SUPERMAN Aka 9:01 PM Nov 18th from txt
SHAQ 9:01 PM Nov 18th from txt
Just got off the phone witha new york times reporter, howard beck, he used to cover me in LA i’ve always liked him, he’s one of the go … … 2:10 PM Nov 19th from txt [Shaq seems to have run afoul of the 140 character limit here]
ABOUT TO EAT DINNER, I PASSED UP 20 MCDONALDS TODAY. I COULDNT DO IT I’M ON A DIET,BUT MCDONALDS FRIES R THE BEST UM UM UM 4:51 PM Nov 19th from web
Why does shane battier always were that golf masters jacket on the bench, lol 7:33 PM Nov 19th from txt
The giant has awoken lets get ready to rumble 4:13 PM Nov 20th from txt
On my way 2 da arena. I feel like the main charachter n da movie 300 5:39 PM Nov 20th from txt
THOSE R NOT TYPOS, JUST SAVN MONEY, MORE U TYPE MORE U PAY, LOL 3:37 AM Nov 21st from web
@phoenixsunsgirl i’m a vampire i neva sleep shaqula 11:46 PM Nov 21st from txt in reply to PhoenixSunsGirl
Did mrs clinton really take da job 11:44 PM Nov 21st from txt
“Some leaders r born, most are made. If u wanna b sucessful, act like a leader” Shaquille o’neal about 21 hours ago from txt
Ok i couldnt take it, i had to get a double cheeseburger from whataburger, pls 4give me lol about 6 hours ago from txt
I don’t know what else you need to see to decide that this is one of the most momentous pop culture events of the year. Get on Twitter and follow Shaq! And follow me while you’re at it.
17 comments
oh, you were being sarcastic.
this is fucking awesome.
Twitter is social masturbation at its worst.
I agree with #3. We're such a look at me/care about me generation, to think that someone would give a shit what our random twittering thoughts are at various points through the day is pretty frightening.
A lot of guys in bands love the idea of doing solo acoustic shows. Why? Because playing in a band is tough. It takes work, scheduling, rehearsing, etc.,etc.,etc. The solo acoustic show is just you and your guitar, nice and easy. Blogs are similar – they're way easier than writing, say, an in depth article on something with research, interviews, and a scope that goes beyond Wikipedia references. I agree that blogs – and even Twitter – are capable of far more than they're currently used for, but Christ, have you read a single entry you'll want to reread at some point in the future? I mean, why the hell do I, say in 2010, care about your opinion on something in 2008? Who gives a fuck, you know? Really, how important do you think you are? And this is coming from someone who writes two somewhat well-known blogs.
wow devin, pimping twitter? I would hope your motives were absurd rather than commercial, because to take this at face value would remove any shred of credibility you may of ever had.
Twitter's just like instant messaging all of your friends at once, but in an unobtrusive, totally voluntary way. The number of people who go around reading strangers' posts is, I'd imagine, pretty low, so any claim that it's a form of attention whoring is pretty weak. I use it to keep in touch with people I might otherwise lose touch with and for a pleasant distraction as I sit in my cubicle.
I'm with Three Oranges. I use services like that and Facebook to keep in touch with college buddies and family members that live across the country. It's an opportunity to be a part of each other's lives even though we live far apart. It's not about grandstanding or ego. At least, for me and those in my circle it is. I can't speak for others. If others are entertained by it (like Devin with Shaq) why give them grief? Be a bigger person than that.
Maybe if you spend less time on Twitter you'd be able to cover things like the Bourne story and Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack in a more timely fashion and not be constantly trailing in the wake of "lesser sites" when it comes to actual movie news. Just a thought.
"It's an opportunity to be a part of each other's lives even though we live far apart. " = =========== =So when did the phone cease to be a fine enough way to communicate? Twitter is the fucking shitter. No one needs to read anyone's random fucking thoughts for the day. So stupid.
best one yet:
Cant sleep i think i maay have mental imsomnia, plus im watchn the lost boys
Twitter is such an innocuous and handy little contraption that it's absurd to hate on it. It really is very much like ranting about telephones; "Why would anyone want to hear your voice if you weren't there in the room with them? That's so arrogant!" Anyone who rails against Twitter is actually railing against something else: whatever it is they think Twitter is. What's certain, though, is that these people do not get it. Move on.
Devin. You are NOT a journalist. Please. Realize this already.
I'll read Shaq's twitter, but I ain't going anywhere near yours Devin, you fat fucking worthless greaseball.
C'mon, people. I don't really like Devin either, but this shit is gold. "@phoenixsunsgirl i'm a vampire i neva sleep shaqula" Seriously? That did nothing for you?
i've seen better texting from twelve year old girls.
I hate Devin! Look at me! I jerk off into fruit jars!
I love Devin! Look at me! I jerk off on the forums to get his support! I have no social life!
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