The following questions are directed for our guest today, Simon Rogers.
As I’m something of a louse and can’t stand to refer to people in the third person, I’ve written the questions as if they were being offered directly to him. I’m aware that he isn’t likely to read this post, but c’est la vie- that’s how the words are unfolding from my mind. I digress.
First and foremost, thanks for being here Simon. The class joins me in expressing our utmost gratitude for your time and attention today. One can only imagine what a schedule like yours entails, and I hope that you find this exchange as rewarding a time investment as we certainly will.
I am, like Jordan, a student that largely abstains from Twitter. I should point out that I see the value in its use: the service offers the ability to engage a massive audience, connect with peers, and really, so much more. I simply lack the desire to integrate it into my media diet. Call me old fashioned.
And so my first question is this: for you personally, do you consider Twitter a professional domain? A private one? Both? Why, or why not?
Today, an impulsive comment made on Twitter is capable of ruining careers, reputations, and even relationships in an instant. And, as some learn the hard way, the internet does not forget. With that in mind, to what degree do you censor yourself on Twitter? Does a potential audience of <everyone> play on your decision to post, or refrain from posting content?
Although unrelated (and potentially taboo for someone in your position) I’d be interested to know what you don’t like about the platform. To phrase it positively, what do you think could be improved with Twitter? Where does it stumble, and if you had the authority to change any element of it what would it be and why?
And, while on the subject of social media- what do you think is next? Where do you see digital communication heading in the next ten years? How can we, as students of mass communication, best position ourselves for whatever is around the corner? Is hoping for some semblance of privacy in an online world a naive dream?
… Get me out of the matrix, Morpheus.
Other potential talking points:
- ALONE TOGETHER, by Sherry Turkle – Style / depth of communication on social media.
- FACTS ARE SACRED, by Simon Rogers – What’s in a name?