Backstory

I was literally just having a conversation with a colleague earlier today who inquired as to why I am not actively on Twitter as much lately. After explaining about the rigors and vagaries of learning to code in C# I related how there is so much negativity and a spirit akin to the one that was present in those DJ’s who thought it would be a good idea to prank call the nurse involved with the care for Kate Middleton. Those who don’t know the full story, the nurse was called by the radio station who pretended to be The Queen of England and aired this whole conversation on the air.  The nurse was found afterward, dead, having committed suicide.The Nurse  – Jacintha Saldanha wrote a note to her family and then hung herself.

Relevant spirit in which so many feel a need for self validation by making a point of humiliating  people publicly.

Granted Twitter is not by any stretch a place by which one should seek on first choice intellectual discourse. However one does on occasion reply or respond to a missive or statement with a degree of half-hearted anticipation.

What could have been a quick discourse on the inclusion methods used by the Rock and Roll  Hall of fame, wound up with me being accused of being mis-educated. That my perspective was born out of some mystical influence attributable to the influence of FM radio and MTV. Even through in racism for good measure.

It all started with this tweet:

 

For the record, KISS does deserve to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. So does Judas Priest. And Luther Vandross.

— Todd Williams (@stereowilliams) December 11, 2012

I base the premise on precedent. Luther was a soul singer. Tons of soul singers are in there @blkphoenix66

— Todd Williams (@stereowilliams) December 11, 2012

@stereowilliams at some point its no longer a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It becomes a Grammy’s extension

— Alinda for now (@BlkPhoenix66) December 11, 2012

You, like most ppl, have allowed the revisionism of FM classic rock radio and early MTV to tell u what “rock” is @blkphoenix66

— Todd Williams (@stereowilliams) December 11, 2012

@stereowilliams how in the world would i get insulted by electonic assumptions sumed up in 140 characters by a stranger. Hardly

— Alinda for now (@BlkPhoenix66) December 11, 2012

@blkphoenix66 I’m sure you did. But the way you were taught to define those genres is rooted in aesthetics. Aesthetics born of racism/bias

— Todd Williams (@stereowilliams) December 11, 2012

@blkphoenix66 Good. Re-educate yourself. Then we’ll continue the conversation.

— Todd Williams (@stereowilliams) December 11, 2012

 

Some of you more intrepid readers may feel free to pull up the entire conversation which this does not leave too much out. It only serves to illustrate the amount of vitriol expressed  in response to posting an opposing point of view. Rather than engage in discourse that would provide basis for either side, it was more important to base a perspective on assumptions and throw manners out the window.  Keep in mind this is a person who does not know me, has never met me, and most assuredly has no idea of any kind what my musical interests or background is.

Instead of allowing this to devolve further into what would have been most assuredly an uncivil and probably at some point profane interaction – i disengaged. This is by far not the worst of so called twitter arguments or disagreements and I am sure it will not be the last.  It is however a cautionary tale for those who are new to twitter or even those who have been on it for a while, how within an instant a conversation can go awry and how not to get completely carried away or caught up in it.

People come on twitter for various reasons. I personally use twitter to impart information, to network and occasionally to engage in conversations on a variety of subjects.  It is not for me a primary means of communicating or engaging in conversation. Regardless to how I at any given moment do use it, at no time does decorum, manners or disrespect enter into that equation. Even in instances where there are differing points of view, regardless to what is being typed on the other end.

The perceived anonymity of being online using social networks does not confer upon the user, a special pass to forgo the tenets of common decency and manners. I find it to be the converse in all actuality. This specific engagement notwithstanding, you are challenged by so many to maintain and behave with common sense that at some point you can become social network or twitter averse. My advice – use lists and tweet smarter. Don’t let anyone or anything take you down a road that you know you need not go.

And of course, ignore the ignorant.