Regarding the Facebook discussion, I find that more people respond to my tweets from Facebook, despite having about the same number of followers in both. I think that people logging on to Facebook are more willing to engage, where people reading via Twitter tend to be lurkers — happily reading but not participating.

I don’t know why academics don’t value online social networking, it’s as if they don’t think it’s a good use of their time. It is like they are waiting to be asked. They are missing a great opportunity to connect with people outside of the university setting.

There is so much talk in the academy about the need for “public intellectuals” but so few will take the time to talk to those who aren’t their peers or students. They shouldn’t be surprised when people turn to others in the media & blog world for guidance, explanation & ideas.

I think the key thing for using Twitter is getting hooked into a network of friends/colleagues. I didn’t find any utility for it the first few months I was on, but once I got hooked into this a great community, I was hooked. I can’t hardly remember life before it. It has helped me tremendously on a professional level, as well as personal. I’d be happy to introduce you around, if you’d like.