What a weekend. I don't mean the World Series or Liverpool sinking ever lower, but Stephen Fry's threat to quit Twitter and then withdraw it as suddenly.It was what can only be described as a Twitterwave. It sent ripples across the Twittervse and garnered stories just about everywhere from the Sunday Times, the Sun, Guardian to the New York Times (not forgetting the Watton and Swaffham Times).
A Twitterer from Birmingham called brumplum was the source of all the consternation after he accused Stephen Fry of writing boring Tweets. "Much as I admire and adore the chap, they are a bit ... boring." Stephen Fry fired back: "Think I may have to give up on Twitter. Too much aggression and unkindness around (he has a point: if you have nothing nice to say on Twitter then don't bother – although the bigger it gets the more some people seem to think its okay to act that way)".He also sent a direct message to brumplum: "You've convinced me. I'm obviously not good enough. I retire from Twitter henceforward. Bye everyone."I don't follow Stephen Fry or have any interest in him (other than liking Black Adder from way back when), but apparently he tweets a lot and people love him for it. They say silly stuff like he's a national treasure and who knows maybe he is.Stephen Fry's threat to quit sent his followers into a frenzy like a bunch of digital jihadis sallying forth with defence and abuse in equal measures (can we send these people to Afghanistan? we'd sort out that in no time).Comedian/actor/friend of Fry Alan Davies entered the fray and the levels of noise and abuse rose ever higher. Brumplum dude (with his ahem odd request on his blog for you to watch him on Xtube which is according to Google the home of free, quality porn videos. Nice) caught it from Alan Davies who came out with fighting talk such as:"Anyone has a pop at your mates you stick up for them. Twittr needs to be more like Essex.If you wouldn't say it to their face then do shut up".An admirable well intentioned sentiment, but Alan (if I may) a world like Essex would be hell and if not hell then definitely related and full of footballers and their wives. Besides, doesn't Alan Davies live in Islington? Really, I'd like that more one great expanse of North London. Awesome. Admittedly we wouldn't get much done, but it would be relaxing. After an avalanche of well wishing tweets from his 900,000 followers Stephen Fry rescinded his threat to quit. Phew."Arrived in LA feeling very foolish. Wasn't the fault of the fellow who called me 'boring', BTW. A mood thing. Sunshine will help. So sorry," he wrote.Fry has also apologised to the Brumplum who apologised back, but is stamping his foot and waiting for bruiser Alan Davies to apologise too. He might have quite a wait (apparently Davies called him a wanker, which is naughty/wrong, but what a great word). Brumplum has also picked up hundreds of followers (astutely Skinbro tweeted: "Glad this Stephen Fry business is over. Still, important lesson learned: abusing the right celebrity will get you 1000s of followers").By Wednesday it will be over and the national treasure that is Stephen Fry and his global brand will be that little bit bigger (surely there's a documentary in this somewhere?) after this media and digital tsunami in a tea cup. I know that wasn't his intention, but hey the guy is a publicity machine.When I started this I thought I knew what I was going to say when I got to this point (the end), but I now realise that I've sort of run out of conclusion. I was going to say something ridiculously pompous about how this is whole thing is symptomatic of the endless distraction that is celebrity and the desperate need to be part of it blah blah blah (and it is), but really I think more importantly this is another great example of how this whole Twitter thing works, how quickly it spreads and how powerful it can be. It is so simple and yet so effective. I still don't know why people follow celebrities on Twitter, but I do at least believe that despite what some people say this whole Twitter/micro blogging thing is not going to be over any time soon. Although for Stephen Fry's sake there should be an absolute ban on people saying they are quitting and then not doing so. Stephen Fry, as he is a "national Treasure" gets a free pass, naturally, but that probably doesn't apply for the rest of us.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by BrandRepublic: Stephen Fry and the great Twitterwave of quit (and unquit) http://tinyurl.com/ydncb8x
What's the point? Or maybe that is the point - that there is no point. A rather circular and pointless argument?
What is twitter good for - really?
Was a classic "Good Bye Cruel World" (GBCW) forum post. Only works if you are popular enough for others to notice.
www.urbandictionary.com/define.php
What is so interesting is that the celebrity part, while loud, is only one of the many rooms of the Twitter venue. Elsewhere, people were changing politics, spotting earthquakes or just having lunch.
Who is Twitter fry? Obviously I have not recently tweeted to everybody that is why I am kinda lost here. Twitter is place for those who want to shout something to the world. Who cares to what others would like to express even though it is boring. Besides it is the new hangout for boring people. Isn’t it? All have the right to post tweets as long as it won’t damage anybody.
I like that a excellent FLA (four letter acronym) *Quick wipe of the brow* and " GBCW.
The analogy of various rooms, like hotel suites is just right. There are a lot of conversations, big and small going on under one roof, and they do sometimes spill out into the real world as we've seen with Jan Moir and Stephen Fry in recent weeks.
Gordon Macmillan
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