Democratic Underground's Twitter Presence

[bathroommonkey76]

I have noticed the DU doesn't have a very large following on Twitter. This may not mean much to some out there, but I think some of the bloggers on here deserve to have their columns exposed. Not only will the bloggers get exposure, but the site itself will get more hits all around. Is there a reason why the site's founders aren't active on Twitter? And I don't mean posting the "pic of the day" every other day, I mean a real presence like Unite Blue has created. I would be willing to volunteer on the DU Twitter page. I am active on there all of the time. If interested please contact me.

Thanks,

D

[link:https://twitter.com/bathroommonkeys|

[LWolf]

1. I've never used Twitter.

When it first appeared, I think I signed up, although I can't remember how.

I never used it. I have enough emails, calls, voice mails, and texts to deal with as it is; I don't need more stuff randomly showing up to demand my attention.

So tell me...Twitter for den-dwellers like myself:

What is it? What does it do? And what is the point?

[bathroommonkey76]

2. Twitter for me

Is a source of news. It helps me keep up to date with everything under the sun. I do have real life friends on there that I talk with from time to time, but I mostly use it for news.

The DU presence however is really non-existent. There are many writers on here that deserve credit for their thoughts and views. And tweeting their blogs out to the Twitter community will give them another source to spread DU's message. The use of hashtags is important on there. I have noticed that DU doesn't use hashtags at all in their Twitter postings.

[LWolf]

3. I generally read my news online.

I don't get it from tv or radio at all, and avoid video sources online most of the time. I prefer to read. I can get needed information by reading it so much faster than by listening to people talk, and by the time one talking head is done I've looked at several different news sources.

I also don't want my phone cluttered up with a bunch of attention demanding stuff.

While I have heard the term "hashtags" in reference to twitter, and I know what a hashtag is, ####, I don't know what it's purpose on twitter is. Why is it important?

[bathroommonkey76]

5. #Hashtags

Basically sends the user into a portal of like-minded people. For example the #p2 hashtag is the source for left-leaning news, opinions, tweets, etc.. Using these in the "pic of the moment" would give DU's page on Twitter more exposure in the left-leaning community. And if you want to throw the flamethrower to on the radicals you would use #tcot. Both of these hashtag portals will help create more followers on Twitter; and on this site. Of course there are many other #hashtags that you could use to generate discussion.

[LWolf]

11. So it's discussion oriented, not news?

Or discussion about news?

[bigtree]

14. sometimes you get comments about news events, sometimes comments and a link

. . . to what they're referring to. Sometimes you get a relevant pic or a pic of an official statement.

# Hashtags can take you to a subject or issue specific twitter feed, like #MalaysiaAirlines or #Flight17.

[bathroommonkey76]

15. it can be whatever you want it to be

you can discuss the topics or just tweet out stories.

[sabrina 1]

30. You can use it for whatever you want. Eg, you can 'follow' news reporters who

are likely to be covering stories you are interested in. If sports is what you are interested in, you can follow sports figures and athletes etc. Movies, follow actors, producers etc.

It is a great tool to get real news sometimes before it is reported on the media and from people who are on the ground where news is happening. eg, if you are following a big news event covered by reporters, other people also following may be on the ground and you get 'eyewitness' accounts as things are happening. You have to be careful of course who to trust when it comes to controversial stories, but generally you get a lot more info by following credible people who themselves are followed by many others whose tweets you will also receive if they are forwarded.

It's value is in how you use it. Some people eg, want to build up their own following and tweet a lot, others just want to read so they use it to follow rather than be followed.

[PasadenaTrudy]

10. I'm involved

in the Breaking Bad community and childfree community, so, #BreakingBad and #childfree or #cf, tags my tweets for others to easily find.

[LWolf]

12. So...

it's like Facebook on the phone?

[bigtree]

16. less chatter than facebook on individual tweets

. . . news is mostly specific and directed to a source with a link. It's more focused and can be a really good news feed if you 'follow' the right sources. Also, objectionable sources are mostly invisible. Set up right, following the right sources, it can be uncluttered by bull. Comments to tweets are hidden and only accessed by expanding tweets.

[bathroommonkey76]

17. I have compiled this

news list on Twitter.

From Reuters to local news outlets across the world and country:

[link:https://twitter.com/bathroommonkeys/lists/drive-by-news|

[PasadenaTrudy]

19. I don't use FB anymore...

They say FB is for talking to people you know in real life but don't like, and twitter is for talking to people you like but don't know in real life! FB was for being in touch with family and people from my past that I don't have anything in common with. I find people on twitter that share the same interests easily. Sorry if this sounds weird, I overslept and am still consuming coffee!

[LWolf]

27. It doesn't sound weird.

I use FB to keep up with friends and family who don't live within driving distance; not for anything else.

I use my computer for talking to people I like but don't know in real life.

A kind of disturbing coincidence...

since posting that reply that you replied to, I got a call from my mom. My 75 yo mom. It seems that she is cleaning out some old (metaphorical) closets and baggage from her past, and she called to tell me that she'd found someone who was part of our lives in my childhood. How? She found him on Twitter, and they've been "tweeting."

I don't know what it is, but my 75 yo mom does.

I'm going to assume that you can use twitter on a computer, not just on a phone?

[Capt. Obvious]

29. I get all of my news from the ticker tape!

[bigtree]

6. the main benefit of twitter and tweets is the links to substantive things

. . . most users understand that the one-liners serve as headlines or intros to whatever they link to in the tweet.

Properly set up, following only those sources that you trust and are truly informative, your twitter feed can serve as your own personal google for leading or breaking news. Your twitter page can read like a personalized news reference. IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO YOU CHOOSE TO 'FOLLOW'

That said, many, many prescient and revealing statements have been introduced and highlighted on Twitter.

here's an up to date (and automatically updated) selection from my own feed:


BBC News (World) ?@BBCWorld 8m

Latest photos from crash scene of Malaysia Airlines #MH17 crash site in Ukraine http://bbc.in/1rkib2S pic.twitter.com/twzJN6hZzB

The Hill ?@thehill 8m

.@statedeptspox says she will not speculate about details of the downed Malaysia plane. Watch the briefing here: http://j.mp/1jChQ93

The New Republic ?@tnr 8m

Where Did Ukraine's Rebels Get the Missile Launcher That Allegedly Shot Down the Malaysia Airlines Plane? http://on.tnr.com/1ml9KfV

The Democrats ?@TheDemocrats 9m

#voterexpansion MT @MichiganDems: Detroit! Request an absentee ballot on your smartphone ? http://DetroitBallot.com/ pic.twitter.com/6rwmP0tvLN

Retweeted by Senate Democrats
americasvoice ?@americasvoice 17m

.@TedCruz Call to End DACA & Deport Dreamers Is Now the Mainstream GOP Stance http://bit.ly/Ue8q80 #immigration

The Guardian ?@guardian 9m

Verified photographs from crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 http://t.gu.com/zhmvI

Guardian news ?@guardiannews 9m

Verified photographs from crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 http://t.gu.com/zhlOR

Retweeted by BBC News (UK)
BBC Sport ?@BBCSport 12m

It's close of play at Lords with IndIa 290-9 thanks to 103 from Ajinkya Rahane #EngvInd #bbccricket http://bbc.in/1pcSyfy

Retweeted by Zeke Miller
Tamara Keith ?@tamarakeithNPR 16m

For those interested in the other half of the conversation, here is the Kremlin readout of the Obama-Putin call: http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/22688

The Associated Press ?@AP 10m

MORE: The field around the burning wreck was strewn with body parts and the belongings of the passengers: http://apne.ws/Wf60Hu

Washington Post ?@washingtonpost 10m

Typhoon Rammasun intensifies on its way to China http://wapo.st/1t9MuqW pic.twitter.com/cgaD7ZmyE5


State briefing: no info on possible U.S. citizens on Malaysian Airlines flight that went down in Ukraine

Reuters Top News ?@Reuters 10m

#BREAKING: Number of dead from crash of #MH17 more than 300, includes 23 U.S. citizen: Interior Ministry adviser, quoted by Interfax

The New Republic ?@tnr 10m

The Crash of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 Is a Game Changer, writes @juliaioffe. http://on.tnr.com/1qiqBIq

The Hill ?@thehill 11m

Obama, Putin discussed downed plane in call http://j.mp/1kzWa8Q by @JTSTheHill

Spencer Ackerman ?@attackerman 11m

State Dept's @statedeptspox says no confirmation on casualties/cause of MH-17 crash.

Retweeted by The Hill
Alexandra Jaffe ?@ajjaffe 14m

'@KenCuccinelli tells me where SCF's playing next: #KSSen, #LASen, and potentially #TNSen: http://bit.ly/WkfFNv


Retweeted by The New York Times
NYT Metro Desk ?@NYTMetro 14m

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announces that the possible L.I.R.R. strike has been averted. The four-year dispute has been settled, he says.

NPR News ?@nprnews 12m

Wildfire In Washington State Threatens Hundreds Of Homes http://n.pr/1tWt78P

Joan Walsh ?@joanwalsh 12m

Right-wing radicals’ sick victory lap: What’s really happening to kids in Oracle? http://www.salon.com/2014/07/17/right_wing_radicals_sick_victory_lap_whats_really_happening_to_kids_in_oracle/ … via @Salon

Sen. Tammy Baldwin ?@SenatorBaldwin 12m

Tammy supports reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank to support #MadeInWI economy http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/us-senator-tammy-baldwin-supports-level-playing-field-for-wisconsin-businesses-reauthorization-of-export-import-bank- …


euronews ?@euronews 12m

[Happening now] Malaysian passenger jet #MH17 ‘shot down’ in east #Ukraine http://eurone.ws/zhlfU pic.twitter.com/JntMQQCap4

Retweeted by The Daily Beast
Alex ?@achance42 16m

Follow @thedailybeast's coverage of the Malaysian airliner that crashed in Ukraine. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/17/kiev-malaysian-airliner-shot-down.html …

Doug Mills ?@dougmillsnyt 13m

Obama is reflected through the window as he greets customers at the Charcoal Pit to in Wilmington, Del. pic.twitter.com/R2P2kzwzt7

NewYorkObserver ?@NewYorkObserver 13m

This Hip Hop Hackathon in Chelsea Was Great In Theory, ‘Ridiculously Wack’ In Execution http://nyob.co/1oNk5Tk

Retweeted by The Hill
Rebecca Shabad ?@RebeccaShabad 14m

.@statedeptspox begins briefing with update on Afghanistan.


CSPAN ?@cspan 14m

LIVE: State Department Press Briefing http://www.c-span.org/video/?320509-1/awaiting-state-department-briefing …

The Daily Beast ?@thedailybeast 15m

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry: #MH17 shot down "by the Russian Buk missile system at an altitude of 10,000 meters" http://thebea.st/Ue8MM1

Spencer Ackerman ?@attackerman 15m

State Dept briefing underway.


Retweeted by Jonathan Capehart
EBONY ?@EBONYMag 17m

A year later and Rachel Jeantel blames herself for the Zimmerman verdict: http://ow.ly/zhizs

The Guardian ?@guardian 17m

FGM and child marriage: grandmothers are part of the problem and the solution http://gu.com/p/3qq2a/tw via @GuardianGDP #GirlSummit

Greg Sargent ?@ThePlumLineGS 18m

Cornyn supports ending DACA in this bill? RT @burgessev: Cornyn backs Cruz DACA effort, Cruz backs Cornyn's 2008 border law change effort


Department of State ?@StateDept 18m

.@ECAatState & @CollegeWeekLive conducting virtual college fairs to encourage int'l students to study in US. Info: http://go.usa.gov/5rH3

Wonkette ?@Wonkette 18m

Ted Cruz Has A 'Basic Suggestion' For Democrats, And I Have One For Him http://bit.ly/Wf4G7v

BREAKING: Florida judge overturns state's ban on same-sex marriage; ruling applies only to Florida Keys.

Retweeted by Spencer Ackerman
Michael McFaul ?@McFaul 20m

.@maxseddon ok thanks for this correction. I was putting into English what other reporting in Russian

Gawker ?@Gawker 20m

Fox News: this week's brutally cold weather might kill you, maybe http://gaw.kr/ky7iWAA .@wxdam

Retweeted by Team Barack Obama
Ari Melber ?@AriMelber 20h

We forget to cover this sometimes, but Obama-care is working. Really well. My edit today: http://on.msnbc.com/1nKi3qN pic.twitter.com/5PngUmPOwO

[bathroommonkey76]

7. News Headlines

and links.

Grammar must be your forte. I bet you often correct people online and in real life. LOL

But it is cool. A lot of old people don't understand the use of Twitter.

[PasadenaTrudy]

9. Don't know if it is age...

I'm 50 and get it. I think people just don't give it a fair chance or don't know that you have to look for the right people/agencies to follow. It takes a while to get the hang of it, but it is worth it I think!

[PasadenaTrudy]

8. I am active on twitter too

I also would like to see more DU there. Just followed you, btw Twitter is the best way to stay on top of news and events, IMO.
Find me at https://twitter.com/riogreyhound

[bathroommonkey76]

13. Thanks Trudy

I was being sarcastic. Personally, I don't know any person's age on this site. My way of combating the "old skool" people on here is with sarcastic love. CountYourVotes is one of those folks that probably gets its news from Newsweek and other print magazines. I'm sure he/she also comments on sites to correct people's grammar. Gotta love those grammar Nazis.

And I agree that Twitter is the best source for up to the minute news. In fact during the Boston bombings I was listening to the police scanners online in real time. If you are a news junkie, like I am it is worth scouring through to find out what's going on.

[PasadenaTrudy]

18. Gotcha

Lots of people my age are lagging, so I understand. I love the scanners too, I follow several myself. The L.A. Scanner and Hollywood scanners are in my 'hood so never a dull moment as you can imagine. There are some hilarious parody accts as well. I love @KimKierkegaardashian (not sure if I spelled that right!).

[Bluenorthwest]

26. Kim Kierkegaardashian...that's hilarious in and of itself.

nt

[Worried senior]

28. I am on Twitter too

and have learned breaking news on there much faster than from other sources.

I follow progressives and really enjoy interacting with all of them.

Some very smart, well informed people to connect with.

[yuiyoshida]

34. Hi! Please add me..

https://twitter.com/yuiyoshida1987

[onecent]

21. I wish there was a website to ACTUALLY HELP 69 year old seniors HOW

to twitter. My grandchild have signed me up and tried to show me but they rarely come over
they are too busy with their ear plugs and ipods CELL PHONES to help ...
Then I will talk to an older (son or daughter) and they just say...

I have wanted to twitter some stuff EVEN to television...they need MY views...LOL

"well just go here and do...such and such".and I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I real to learn twitter for dummies.

[bathroommonkey76]

23. Here is a video tutorial on "how to twitter"

just click on the link below:

|

[onecent]

31. Hey thanks!!! I willtake a look at this!!!!! Thanks Alot!

[onecent]

33. Hey thanks!!! I willtake a look at this!!!!! Thanks Alot!

[Z_I_Peevey]

24. I'm on Twitter and frequently see DU links posted

by many of the folks I follow. I post a few myself now and then.

Twitter reminds me of the old days on the wire desk--it's a constant feed of headlines with links to what's happening. Nothing beats Twitter for breaking news. Throw in a few comedians, for joke relief now and then, and it's an old news editor's dream.

[bathroommonkey76]

25. A couple of my favorite comedians/writers

are Albert Brooks and former Late Night/Show with David Letterman writer Gerard Mulligan.

Gerard's really cool and will tweet back you from time to time. Albert Brooks has gone after the gun nuts recently...


Gerard's link:


[link:https://twitter.com/GerardMulligan1|

[yuiyoshida]

32. Hey you can add me!!

https://twitter.com/yuiyoshida1987