May 14, 2008 144 Comments

A Day Without Twitter

birds Yesterday, I took the day off from Twitter. I’ve been using it fairly solidly since the early days, and wanted to get a feel for what I was counting on Twitter to do for me. The results were interesting:

  • I count on Twitter for group answers. A LOT. For instance, I needed to know who from the social media scene was in Detroit. I ended up using LinkedIn, but I know that means I missed a bunch of folks.
  • I count on Twitter as a way to express quick, random thoughts, or to mention references to cultural items to which I know people will respond. (For instance, I like tweeting parts of song lyrics, because it’s fun when people pick the song up as a reply).
  • I use Twitter to promote other people. While I was dark, I got no less than 14 requests to promote fundraising causes, and 12 general promotion requests.
  • I use Twitter to promote myself, my blog, things I’m doing.

A day without Twitter didn’t give me more time to write. It gave me fewer distractions, but I don’t sit around and LABOR on Twitter when I write something. Often times, I can just jot something from my mobile in between meetings, or I pop the window open, reply to a few folks, and then go back to my work. Meaning, I don’t find Twitter to be a time suck to me.

I’m wondering if I should try my “a day without” on other services, like email, or my BlackBerry.

Have you tried things like this? What would you lose if you didn’t have Twitter?

Photo Credit, Zed.Cat

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  • http://www.davistudio.blogspot.com Mary Anne Davis

    I tried a day without technology once, that was kind of interesting, like a sabbath. I may try that again. Twitter is something I don’t use much as you, but I do use it more than 99% of my friends. My work is hands on, not online, so I do take time away from my core activity. I am still learning how to integrate a lot of these tools into my life in a more whole way, not as a distraction but as a compliment to my activities and my work.

  • http://www.davistudio.blogspot.com Mary Anne Davis

    I tried a day without technology once, that was kind of interesting, like a sabbath. I may try that again. Twitter is something I don’t use much as you, but I do use it more than 99% of my friends. My work is hands on, not online, so I do take time away from my core activity. I am still learning how to integrate a lot of these tools into my life in a more whole way, not as a distraction but as a compliment to my activities and my work.

  • Cynthia Coleman

    I’ve never used Twitter, I use My Blog Log frequently and some other sites. What am I missing? I think a tech free day once in a while is good.

  • Cynthia Coleman

    I’ve never used Twitter, I use My Blog Log frequently and some other sites. What am I missing? I think a tech free day once in a while is good.

  • http:/www.angelfire.com/tn/ccoleman/ Cynthia Coleman

    I’ve never used Twitter, I use My Blog Log frequently and some other sites. What am I missing? I think a tech free day once in a while is good.

  • http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com Mother Earth

    I am hesitant to use Twitter, and am reading with interest the comments that have been made about it – good and bad. I find a day away from the computer gives me time to indulge in the other interests I have but actually find it hard to stay away. Knowing that has been insightful and actually has had me be more on purpose about time away from the machine. I like to collage when I am not writing.

  • http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com Mother Earth

    I am hesitant to use Twitter, and am reading with interest the comments that have been made about it – good and bad. I find a day away from the computer gives me time to indulge in the other interests I have but actually find it hard to stay away. Knowing that has been insightful and actually has had me be more on purpose about time away from the machine. I like to collage when I am not writing.

  • http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com Mother Earth

    I am hesitant to use Twitter, and am reading with interest the comments that have been made about it – good and bad. I find a day away from the computer gives me time to indulge in the other interests I have but actually find it hard to stay away. Knowing that has been insightful and actually has had me be more on purpose about time away from the machine. I like to collage when I am not writing.

  • http://www.arielpublicity.com Ariel Hyatt

    I’m just back from 10 days in Argentina and I was sad not to be sharing my experience with my twiends. I second your emotions that I really do like the people I have met on twitter and too am happy that I have met a great number of them in person. Great post CB!

  • http://www.arielpublicity.com Ariel Hyatt

    I’m just back from 10 days in Argentina and I was sad not to be sharing my experience with my twiends. I second your emotions that I really do like the people I have met on twitter and too am happy that I have met a great number of them in person. Great post CB!

  • http://www.arielpublicity.com Ariel Hyatt

    I’m just back from 10 days in Argentina and I was sad not to be sharing my experience with my twiends. I second your emotions that I really do like the people I have met on twitter and too am happy that I have met a great number of them in person. Great post CB!

  • Sean Blake

    Great post Chris. I have only been using it for a bit but have definitely found it useful. I don’t find it distracting (using twhirl) because I think my mind was already so used to being able to scan the pop ups quick for anything of interest or ignore when the time isn’t there. I’ve mainly started using it to explore new blogs and it’s easier to see breaking news instead of scanning Reader all the time.

  • Sean Blake

    Great post Chris. I have only been using it for a bit but have definitely found it useful. I don’t find it distracting (using twhirl) because I think my mind was already so used to being able to scan the pop ups quick for anything of interest or ignore when the time isn’t there. I’ve mainly started using it to explore new blogs and it’s easier to see breaking news instead of scanning Reader all the time.

  • Sean Blake

    Great post Chris. I have only been using it for a bit but have definitely found it useful. I don’t find it distracting (using twhirl) because I think my mind was already so used to being able to scan the pop ups quick for anything of interest or ignore when the time isn’t there. I’ve mainly started using it to explore new blogs and it’s easier to see breaking news instead of scanning Reader all the time.

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  • http://www.compellingmarketingblog.com Tracy Needham

    Posting or responding on Twitter is not what takes up my time. It’s following all the interesting links in everyone’s tweets that sends me off on a tangent! But I wouldn’t have found so many interesting people otherwise.

    Tracy

  • http://www.compellingmarketingblog.com Tracy Needham

    Posting or responding on Twitter is not what takes up my time. It’s following all the interesting links in everyone’s tweets that sends me off on a tangent! But I wouldn’t have found so many interesting people otherwise.

    Tracy

  • http://www.compellingmarketingblog.com Tracy Needham

    Posting or responding on Twitter is not what takes up my time. It’s following all the interesting links in everyone’s tweets that sends me off on a tangent! But I wouldn’t have found so many interesting people otherwise.

    Tracy

  • http://evidencesx.wordpress.com Laurent Blondeau (Evidencesx)

    I’ve tried…yesterday because of last troubles on it. Twitter was off a part of the GMT day. Fortunately, we can find some others “instant” twit apps. I believe, that in life, to appreciate more things, we must sometimes go far from them, then get back in touch. I know how when virus is there, it’s hard but…you seem to find the tip.
    Kind Regards,
    L.

  • http://evidencesx.wordpress.com Laurent Blondeau (Evidencesx)

    I’ve tried…yesterday because of last troubles on it. Twitter was off a part of the GMT day. Fortunately, we can find some others “instant” twit apps. I believe, that in life, to appreciate more things, we must sometimes go far from them, then get back in touch. I know how when virus is there, it’s hard but…you seem to find the tip.
    Kind Regards,
    L.

  • http://evidencesx.wordpress.com Laurent Blondeau (Evidencesx)

    I’ve tried…yesterday because of last troubles on it. Twitter was off a part of the GMT day. Fortunately, we can find some others “instant” twit apps. I believe, that in life, to appreciate more things, we must sometimes go far from them, then get back in touch. I know how when virus is there, it’s hard but…you seem to find the tip.
    Kind Regards,
    L.

  • http://www.christianerburu.com Christian Erburu

    One day without twitter, email, blogging, … altought it will be: less learning, less socialization, less interesting, could be use to learn, socialize and talk to closer people we have.

  • http://www.christianerburu.com Christian Erburu

    One day without twitter, email, blogging, … altought it will be: less learning, less socialization, less interesting, could be use to learn, socialize and talk to closer people we have.

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  • http://www.ullahennig.blogspot.com Ulla

    Came to your article via twitter. I am still a newbie considering twitter, but I like it because I am directed to a lot of interesting blog posts. At the moment this is the main advantage for me, but now and then I tweet about new articles in my blog, hoping to get additional traffic this way.

  • http://www.ullahennig.blogspot.com Ulla

    Came to your article via twitter. I am still a newbie considering twitter, but I like it because I am directed to a lot of interesting blog posts. At the moment this is the main advantage for me, but now and then I tweet about new articles in my blog, hoping to get additional traffic this way.

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  • http://profacero.wordpress.com Professor Zero

    Well I have pseudonymous blogs and Facebook in my real name and am not sure I need Twitter. If I got Twitter I do not know whether I should get it in my real name or my pseudonym.

  • http://profacero.wordpress.com Professor Zero

    Well I have pseudonymous blogs and Facebook in my real name and am not sure I need Twitter. If I got Twitter I do not know whether I should get it in my real name or my pseudonym.

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  • http://www.savetubevideo.com youtube downloader

    A day without Twitter didn’t give me more time to write. It gave me fewer distractions, but I don’t sit around and LABOR on Twitter when I write something. Often times, I can just jot something from my mobile in between meetings, or I pop the window open, reply to a few folks, and then go back to my work. Meaning, I don’t find Twitter to be a time suck to me.

  • http://www.savetubevideo.com youtube downloader

    A day without Twitter didn’t give me more time to write. It gave me fewer distractions, but I don’t sit around and LABOR on Twitter when I write something. Often times, I can just jot something from my mobile in between meetings, or I pop the window open, reply to a few folks, and then go back to my work. Meaning, I don’t find Twitter to be a time suck to me.

  • http://www.savetubevideo.com youtube downloader

    A day without Twitter didn’t give me more time to write. It gave me fewer distractions, but I don’t sit around and LABOR on Twitter when I write something. Often times, I can just jot something from my mobile in between meetings, or I pop the window open, reply to a few folks, and then go back to my work. Meaning, I don’t find Twitter to be a time suck to me.

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  • Markinthedesert

    What would I lose? Absolutely nothing, since I don’t use it. Yet surprisingly I don’t feel that I’m lacking anything in my life. If I have a thought that I feel is worth sharing, I actually talk to people whose opinion I value. If I can’t contact them instanly, it doesn’t cause me any great concern; if it’s important, I can wait till I see them. I wonder why anyone would be interested in other people’s random thoughts, occasional song lyrics or especially in someone promoting themself. God save me from the Twitter Generation.

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  • http://www.phrsconsulting.com PHRSConsulting

    I’m “newer” to Twitter, but I have quickly become slightly obsessed with it.  I wonder how soon I will need to to “take a day off.”

  • http://www.syncers.com/2011/12/unfollow-twitter-tool/ Unfollow Twitter Tool

    People are FB Addict and you are Twitter addict. I am not so addicted to twitter, do let us know your twitterless day .

  • http://www.tiltd.com/ Telemetry

    I know this is from 2008 but this would be near impossible now!

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