# How do you Twitter? And who do you follow? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 30, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438 "2017-07-30T13:54:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/21 "2017-07-31T07:13:57Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > OK, I know you have to set up an account. Then what? I believe you select some people you want to follow? Then what? Do you get every tweet they send? On your phone? PC? Does it get annoying? Is it worth the effort? > > Also, who is worth following? > > Thanks, > mmm I don’t, and nobody. ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/22 "2017-07-31T11:22:21Z")
I’ve found that Twitter is by far the best way to interact with big businesses - emails may go unread, but they tend to answer tweets very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/23 "2017-07-31T11:34:56Z")
I use it almost exclusively for work, so I follow people who are in health policy or economics or health journalism, mostly. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/24 "2017-07-31T11:53:18Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > And if I am following, say 200 people…once I do check in it’s going to be worse than my work email backlog upon returning from vacation?? It’s more like returning to the Straight Dope after a vacation. You _can_ read through the backlog if you want, but no one is going to fire you if you don’t read a thread from the previous Monday about a text message from Al Pacino to Emma Watson that some troll made a lot of people think existed\*. Twitter, like facebook, lets you choose whether you want everything sorted by posting time (which is how I prefer it) or if you want the algorithm to guess what you’d like more and sort accordingly. Twitter still picks two handfuls of what I assume are those “best tweets” and presents them to me in a block of “Just in case you missed these”-tweets. I’ve built up and curate my list of follows as … follows: Add a handful of people you think might be interesting, maybe some news sources you like, etc. If they retweet something you like, have a look at the originator. If they have a lot of tweets you’d like to read in the future, follow them. If that one stood out, assume someone you follow will retweet it. If someone tweets so often you end up scrolling by to find posts by others, unfollow them. If someone tweets stuff you don’t feel like reading for whatever reason, unfollow them. If someone is an asshole about their number of followers, unfollow them (and find someone who retweets their stuff instead) I’m following 150 accounts as of just now. Some of the accounts I follow are friends and acquaintances the rarely or never tweet, but they followed me and it’s not like it hurts me to have them on the list. Okay, I actually care vaguely about my followers to follows ratio, which is why I’m gonna remove the archived VP Biden and President Obama accounts, but not enough to actively recruit followers or delete inactive friends and family. \*Made up example, please don’t ask for link. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/25 "2017-07-31T12:22:33Z")
This is threadshitting and is not allowed. Note that the OP is asking Twitter users how they use Twitter. Coming in and essentially proclaiming Twitter is stupid and using a rude nickname for those who do use it is threadshitting. > [@Turble](#): > > I choose not to be a Twit and don’t care to follow any Twits. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/26 "2017-07-31T12:34:13Z")
I love Twitter, it’s an easy way to get in touch with the famous and powerful. I’ve had conversations with Mark Cuban, Juliette Landau (my most famous follower), Ted Cruz, more, and am working to get banned by DJT. Gone “viral” a few times, for varying definitions of “viral” - some days I have over 100k people interact with my postings. One thing I posted this last Friday got almost 1,500 likes since then (like I said… for varying definitions of “viral”) - 75k people right there. My feed is news and politics. If you care for the same, subscribe to newspapers and get their stories fed to you, for starters. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/27 "2017-07-31T16:01:04Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > This is threadshitting and is not allowed. > > Note that the OP is asking Twitter users how they use Twitter. Coming in and essentially proclaiming Twitter is stupid and using a rude nickname for those who do use it is threadshitting. He also asked: > [@](#): > > Is it worth the effort? > > Also, who is worth following? I think my response was perfectly appropriate when considering the entirety of the OP and attempts to quash it are overreaching and out of line with the stated mission of The Straight Dope and, in particular, with the purpose of the IMHO forum. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/28 "2017-07-31T16:26:26Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > He also asked: > > I think my response was perfectly appropriate when considering the entirety of the OP and attempts to quash it are overreaching and out of line with the stated mission of The Straight Dope and, in particular, with the purpose of the IMHO forum. Your response was not appropriate. You did not answer if you found it worth the effort (or not) and it was done in a demeaning manner. Please take further discussion to PM or ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/29 "2017-07-31T17:44:15Z")
Twitter is one of my main methods of yelling “FUCK!!” at the top of my lungs, which my neighbors have politely asked me to stop doing from the front porch every morning. I follow 60 some-odd (and some _very_ odd) people, places, or entities: Barack Obama, Swear Trek, Rex Hupke, Daily Edge, Wallingford Chevron, TLF Travel Alerts, James Marsters, Whedonesque, Neil Patrick Harris…the list goes on. It’s a handy way to stay in touch with what’s going on with things I care about. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/30 "2017-07-31T19:32:24Z")
Popped in to say this could have been the snarkiest hour in the history of Twitter. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/31 "2017-07-31T19:33:30Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Popped in to say this could have been the snarkiest hour in the history of Twitter. This is when the medium shines. I’ve been laughing for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/32 "2017-07-31T20:02:36Z")
Should add, for those scouring the electronic ashes of our civilization in the far distant year of 2024, that this “hour” was the hour after Scaramucci quit. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/33 "2017-07-31T20:04:05Z")
“Quit” ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/34 "2017-07-31T20:18:50Z")
Yeah, the snark continues. 😉 Really, don’t know why I put that, unless I was trying to be funny. I blame Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/35 "2017-07-31T22:38:25Z")
I enjoyed Twitter for about 2 years, then I gave it up. Like others have stated, I followed a mixture of comedians, journalists, sports figures, and if someone re-tweeted something interesting from someone I would follow them. Randomly some notable people followed me, which is always a treat. I’ve had some exchanges with notable people, which is also a treat. However, much like the SDMB, it can become a hole one falls into. I found that I would open up Twitter, read through the tweets, and by the time I was done scrolling there would be 20 new ones, then 20 more, then 20 more. And, it seemed like lately a majority of them were OMG!! YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT CHEETO JESUS DID NOW!!! Frankly, that just took up too much of my brain space. So, about 2 months ago I said good bye to Twitter. I have felt better since. Now if I could just quit the SDMB habit… ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/36 "2017-07-31T22:51:14Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > I found that I would open up Twitter, read through the tweets, and by the time I was done scrolling there would be 20 new ones, then 20 more, then 20 more. My feed is very busy in UK waking hours anyway, but when stuff happens it’s an absolute avalanche of tweets. It’s quite seductive to be honest, but I’ve managed to break the compulsion to always be checking it. I think. I hope. :o ---
**Author:** ![Eclipse\_Chaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Eclipse\_Chaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eclipse_Chaser)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/37 "2017-08-01T09:53:05Z")
I’ve been thinking about joining Twitter too but the signing up process puts me off. It seems to ask for my full name and phone number. Is that publicly visible? How can I sign up using a username of my choice, suppose I just wanted to be visible as Eclipse Chaser, could I do that and how? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/38 "2017-08-01T10:07:18Z")
> [@Eclipse\_Chaser](#): > > I’ve been thinking about joining Twitter too but the signing up process puts me off. It seems to ask for my full name and phone number. Is that publicly visible? How can I sign up using a username of my choice, suppose I just wanted to be visible as Eclipse Chaser, could I do that and how? You can make your screen name whatever you like by editing it in your profile. Your username eg @EclipseChaser must be unique, but can be anything. Your phone number isn’t publicly visible. ETA it is worth confirming your email and phone number, as not doing so can make you less visible to users who have the quality filter turned on. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/39 "2017-08-01T12:49:14Z")
> [@Eclipse\_Chaser](#): > > I’ve been thinking about joining Twitter too but the signing up process puts me off. It seems to ask for my full name and phone number. Is that publicly visible? How can I sign up using a username of my choice, suppose I just wanted to be visible as Eclipse Chaser, could I do that and how? You can also get a throwaway phone number from any number of sources on the internet for free. Google, TextFree, etc. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438/40 "2017-08-01T12:53:36Z")
> [@Eclipse\_Chaser](#): > > I’ve been thinking about joining Twitter too but the signing up process puts me off. It seems to ask for my full name and phone number. Is that publicly visible? How can I sign up using a username of my choice, suppose I just wanted to be visible as Eclipse Chaser, could I do that and how? I have three Twitter handles- One under my real name and two anonymous ones. I have a different email for each (required) but used my real cell phone for all three. It’s for verification/lost password etc reasons. No one can directly link my two anonymous ones to me, easily that is. They could figure it based on some posting I do under my real name, but it’d be work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-twitter-and-who-do-you-follow/792438.md?page=3)