Being the new kid on the block is never pleasant, even on social networking sites. You stumble around blindly, hoping against hope that you don't inadvertently mess something up, post something with a glaring and awkward typo, or a link that leads to no where, cringing before hitting “send,” sure your message will be mangled or misconstrued, leading to digital mockery.
Maybe we can all be new kids together.
Here at the Nouvelle, we have started up a shiny new Twitter account, and we're hoping you can join us.
I have recently taken the opportunity to question various local politicians about their stance on social networking and Twitter specifically, and they have expressed a few concerns, which I would like to deal with here.
First of all, it's true. With the invention of social networking, the transfer of information has become nearly instantaneous, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing.
If Justin Bieber lived in Bonnyville, maybe it would matter. Any scandal he was involved in would fly around Twitter faster than the speed of light. However, I'm pretty sure if you were involved in some sort of scandal, it wouldn't be breaking news on Twitter — and if it was, I promise, we won't retweet it.
With a little bit of common sense, the instantaneous nature of news on Twitter could become a benefit, not a liability. Water main break on main street leading to emergency construction and a detour in the middle of the day? No problem, let people know on Twitter, they'll adjust their routes accordingly, and we'll probably retweet that.
Missing person? No problem. Missing dog? It's good for that too. Got an event you want people to come out to? Put it on Twitter.
It's free and it's easy and it's instant.
Secondly, it's also true that large media groups are currently nearly overrun with breaking stories about public figures and their misuse of Twitter. Some people post things they shouldn't, but a little common sense lets the positives of this form of communication far out-weigh the negatives. Keep your profanity-laced rants to yourself, particularly if you're a politician or a public figure, and you're good to go.
Twitter can be an effective, exciting method of sharing communication, one we at the Nouvelle have been taking advantage of. Check out our Twitter feed for the latest information on sporting events, local news, and politics. It's a great way to contact us, to let us know when news is happening near you, or when you've got a newsworthy event you think we need to know about.
So come join us on Twitter! It's easy! Go to Twitter.com and sign up, search for us (we're BvilleNouvelle), and follow us, and we'll follow you back.
And if Justin Bieber ever does decide to look into the retail market in Bonnyville, we'll let you know, probably on Twitter.
I'm sure it's worth joining for that bit of news alone.
