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What's your best tweet?
"Martini!" I have no idea. But often they do come during a martini. Or at least I think so. Like most people having martinis. Never mind.
Share on TwitterWhat are six things you could never do without?
Oh my. I can't imagine. Pants.
How do you use Twitter in your professional life?
To share links, to pontificate, to solicit feedback and ideas and get questions answered.
What's your favorite Twitter app?
TweetDeck
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter.
What was the funniest trend you've seen?
Katherine Webb :(
What feature should Twitter add?
Leave features to the third-party developers. Make the API infinite in all directions and let the crowd bubble features up.
Who do you wish had a Twitter feed but doesn't?
Watch me get this wrong out of ignorance. So here's the
safe answer: Every accountable person.
What are some words or phrases you refuse to shorten for brevity?
Ass. Moron. Douche. I am sensing a pattern here ...
Is there someone you want to follow you who doesn't already? If so, who?
No, at this point I add people sparingly. I drop people sparingly, too.
Have you ever unfollowed someone? Who and why?
Yes. And that would be telling.
Why should we vote for you?
The old political maxim seems to amount to "Because I've asked you." So, here is: "I hope I can count on your vote." I feel so dirty.
Terms you wish would start trending on Twitter right now?
Haiti and whatever is important at this moment I don't already know about: Trending topics are for discovery of what others are thinking.
What's the most interesting connection you've made through Twitter?
I've made many so I must be diplomatic. I know! The connection to my corporeal soul!!!
Hashtag you created that you wish everyone used?
#YouDontHaveToGoHomeBut
How do you make your tweets unique?
I don't know about that. But the forced brevity does impose a discipline that brings out the best or worst of us.
What inspires you to tweet?
Sometimes entirely too little.
Ever get called out for tweeting too much?
Yes. And for being off topic on @epicenterblog.
140 characters of advice for a new user?
A) Listen a while. B) Don't invite yourself to parties. C) Be yourself. D) Use your real name/picture. Unless you intend to ignore A, B & C.
How long can you go without a tweet?
Longer than I used to be able to go without a cigarette when I smoked, but a day doesn't go by -- or even many hours.
What question are we not asking here that we should?
Not having seen all your questions yet, hard to say. But how about "When will Twitter seem like air and water and a dial tone."
How do you imagine Twitter changing?
As integrated it already is in our lives, it will become the envelope for activities we can't imagine yet.
Who do you admire most for his or her use of Twitter?
@gregmitchell, @randazzoj and, forgive me @wired.
Who is the funniest person on Twitter that you follow?
@FelixSalmon
What is one of the biggest misconceptions of Twitter?
That it's about ham sandwich consumption. And that nothing important can be said in 140 characters or less. #The10Commandments
Why should people follow you?
I love a good conversation, and will engage with anyone. Also, I am no slouch when it comes to tech, politics and media.
Can you name some one-of-a-kind Twitter accounts that you follow?
@BeerRobot, @SeinfeldToday, @Edgar_Allen_Poe
How do you decide what to tweet?
By considering the consequences ...
How do you use social media to motivate yourself or others to live a healthier life?
When I was losing 80 pounds in 2011, I'd Tweet out my weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in.
Why'd you start tweeting?
I signed up because it seemed cool. But I didn't Tweet in earnest until much later when I felt I had things to share, not just say.
Has Twitter changed your life? If yes, how?
Twitter has become the priest in my confessional, the ocean for my message-carrying bottle, the stern editor demanding clarity and precision.
What do you wish people would do more of on Twitter?
Work harder to form actual sentences. Even readable fragments. I guess I mean: Not resort so easily to ersatz word contractions.
How will the world change in the next year?
It's always darkest before the dawn. It will get darker.
What are some big Twitter faux pas?
The usual: Spam. SHOUTS. Inappropriate exclamation!!! Also not being funny. Or being a public dick (unless someone has it coming.)
What will the world be like 10 years from now?
Conan will still not be the host of "The Tonight Show."
Most recent nominations for John C Abell
Nereida Diesen
@nereidadin
I nominate @johncabell for a Shorty Award in #journalist because he's the hardest working man online.
Paul Smalera
@smalera
I nominate @johncabell for a Shorty Award in #journalist because he's the hardest working man online.
Anthony De Rosa
@AntDeRosa
I nominate @johncabell for a Shorty Award in #journalist bc he's one of the smartest people in tech (and on Twitter)
Lucy P. Marcus
@lucymarcus
I nominate @johncabell for Shorty Award in #journalist because he writes/tweets incisive smart stuff (&dms to tell me to get back to wor
