Twitface Etc.....

[ToraToraTora]

We've all seen the damage it does especially to politicians so why do they use it? I mean we are all human they can get in a "tired and emotional state" same as the rest of us, and utter some jibe or other that uses one of the nuclear bomb phrases/words and night night, career over. Surely it's safer to not be remotely connected to these devisive facilities.

[ChillDoubt]

Indeed. I am yet to undertsand the propensity for wanting to text one's thoughts, observations and rants to the rest of the world.

That said, why some feel the need to take a picture of their next/current meal and post it online is also perplexing.

[237SJ]

Why does anyone use it? I can`t see the point, myself. Except that some people are so narcisistic that they think the rest of us want to listen to their utterances.

[Canary42]

A rare occurrence - I agree with TTT.

[ludwig]

For politicians and celebreties twitter\facebook etc has become almost an essential tool of the trade, like a website is for a business.
It's how they publicise themselves, or 'get their message across'.

The trouble is, as you say, one hasty press of the submit button with that stuff and you're screwed.

Not being a celebrity or a politician, I'm happy in the knowledge that I shall never have anything to do with twitter. I shall never write a tweet, or read one either, unless it's rit's printed in a paper or something.
I've always thought it's complete bollx.

[kvalidir]

Because it provides you with massive exposure, which if you are a politician, singer, musician, actor, artist etc you need. It snowballs quite quickly once you are on there. I have one and never go on there really but everyday someone else follows me, so imagine a politician with a big publicity push- they get the exposure they crave for their careers.

[ludwig]

The wealthy ones employ someone to manage all their social media, so there's less chance of the drunken late night career ending un-pc insult being sent out. It gets filtered through a different set of eyes.

For example, I employ someone to write all my answerbank answers.

[ToraToraTora]

he needs a pay rise ludwig

[sunny-dave]

It's easy to make a mistake - for instance TTT's inadvisable choice of avatar means his career as Campaigns Manager for the Socialist Workers Party is almost certainly at an end.

[ToraToraTora]

sadly dave that path has been closed to me for some time!

[hc4361]

I love Twitter. I complain to companies on it and get far better results than any other method.
I follow my MP, local council, trading standards, news, highway agency, police, CrimeStoppers and Action Fraud for up to the minute news and information.
I follow Martin Lewis for his advice about saving money and BrumPic just for the photos of old Birmingham.

Twitter is a very useful medium if used carefully and selectively.

[sidkid]

"Why does anyone use it? I can`t see the point, myself. Except that some people are so narcisistic that they think the rest of us want to listen to their utterances."
A bit like Answerbank then...?

[Gromit]

I went on a social media in business course yesterday. It was assumed that everyone bought into the concept but I do not. The theory is that I can sell my services and make money by being connected via Facebook, Twitter, Linked In etc. networking. Whilst I can see some benefits, they are far outweight by the negatives, sich as all the time wasted by Being disrupted from an alert from someone wondering what they will have for dinner?

My whole day yesterday was a waste of time.

Politicians have been ultimate networkers for decades. Their way up the greasy pole comes from being well connected. I can only assume that they see Social Media as a quick way to make connections. Problem is, as your question identifies, it can easily end a career by spreading how stupid they are very quickly, and the electronic trail is there for all to see.

I tried Facebook and Twitter when they first came out and cancelled my membership quickly when I realised what they were.

[jno]

they're just media; it's up to you what messages you put on them. The trouble is, tweeters sometimes think of them as talking to real friends in the pub rather than broadcasting to imaginary friends all over the world which is what they are.

[youngmafbog]

Pay someone to do it or leave it alone.
The vast majority of the electorate will not follow their mp.

[sp1814]

Twitter / Instagram / Facebook...the following rules should apply...


1. Never post anything that you wouldn't let your mother or your boss read.

2. Never write about your current company or colleagues.

3. Do not rant...about anything.

4. Do not post anything after either a) three drinks or b) 11pm at night

5. Never engage in an argument with trolls. You can never win.

None of these rules apply to AnswerBank.

[mikey4444]

Social media has changed the world but, alas, some of our politicians have yet to realise how much yet.