John C Abell

5,660 followers
http://profile.johnabell.com

Columnist, Reuters MediaFile

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Listorious Interview

Have you ever unfollowed someone? Who and why?

Yes. And that would be telling.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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!!!

John C Abell in response to Listorious

Ever get called out for tweeting too much?

Yes. And for being off topic on @epicenterblog.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

What was the funniest trend you've seen?

I'll have to resort to "recently." Balloon Boy? Maybe John Edwards. I'm trying not to say Carrie Prejean (sp?)

John C Abell in response to Listorious

How do you use Twitter in your professional life?

To share links, to pontificate, to solicit feedback and ideas and get questions answered.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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."

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

What inspires you to tweet?

Sometimes entirely too little.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

Hashtag you created that you wish everyone used?

#martini. Seriously, no I don't have one. Maybe #pantsontheground.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

Who do you admire most for his or her use of Twitter?

@gregmitchell, @randazzoj and, forgive me @wired.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.)

John C Abell in response to Listorious

What are some words or phrases you refuse to shorten for brevity?

Ass. Moron. Douche. I am sensing a pattern here ...

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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.

John C Abell in response to Listorious

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