Auto-DM = Auto Dump; but why?

The End of an Era?

I am not sure what knuckle-head came up with the ability for Twitter users to automatially direct message those who follow them, but they really could have used their skillset elsewhere.  The entire premise of social media is personal interaction.  But what I don’t want to do is preview and follow someone, only to get junk mail in return.  

I lament the days of old (you know 12-18 months ago) when I first got involved in Twitter and had a great core of folks who were also finding their way through this venue.  Now everyone seems to be solely engaging the system, with the desire to skip right past the relationship building and mutual sharing, and go right to “hey come buy my project”.  That “come buy my project” is the first interaction we get, right after “will you follow me?”  My new answer is NO.  If you send me an automatic message, than that’s a great sign that you don’t get it and your intent is not to share with peers.  

I’m starting to wonder if the system is becoming tainted and exactly how long it will be before I just revert to Facebook to share…

Friendships 

There have been countless posts done about the power of networking and Twitters ability to build connections.  When I said that I lament those connections, I meant it.  Twitter was a lot of fun with 40 core followers.  I still feel like I have a good connection with them and it has transcended to IRL meetups and national friendships.  None of these meetings or friendships would I trade for anything.  

I was goofing around on Twitter Mosaic recently and noticed that some of my earlier followers are no longer really engaging Twitter.  I wonder why, but remember that lots of people start things and don’t stick with them.  However, the real revelation is how many of these folks I’ve met with and have helped or been helped by.  Lots of these early connections are still engaging and being engaged.  

Converstaion generates conversation.  I’ve noticed that coming in and promoting a post I dugg up somewhere is ok, but to actually check in on people, joke around and share is where the real power of this venue lies.

New Twitter Wishlist?

I wish that Twitter would help those of us out, who really want a more pure interaction.  It’d be great if the e-mail sent notifying us of new followers had their bio’s in the e-mail, along with last post and the follower, following ratio.  Not that it’s a parameter I would alienate anyone over, but it’d be nice to know when the person join.  

I’ve never been involved just to gain followers, so I have no issue with unfollowing and blocking folks.  I’ve recently decided, after hearing others who are doing it, to unfollow those who send me an auto DM. Of course I have some other parameters, but this is my newest one.

I’ve also added a line to my Twitter bio, letting followers know that I will unfollow after auto-DMs.