Legal Commentary

they’re all atwitter (we’re not)

By David A. Giacalone

.. .. .. ..  [Note: You are entering a Curmudgeon Zone]

Everywhere you look, well-known members of the blawgisphere (lawyers who have weblogs) are all atwitter, chirping excitedly about Twitter — the free web-based application that let’s you answer, in 140 characters or less, the ultimate question of the new millennium “What are you doing?“, and to monitor the answers of lots of “followers” or “followees” with common interests. [E.g., Monica Bay, Bob Ambrogi, Nicole Black, Kevin O'Keefe, Walter Olson; and see "Lawyers Flocking to Twitter for Marketing," Lawyers USA (Nov. 7, 2008, where the distracted Justin Rebello says you get "140 words."]

At risk of being called a twit (or a thwowback), the f/k/a Gang is pre-emptively opting out.  This shouldn’t be a surprise coming from Proud Podcaste Pariahs. We can’t help but think that the traditional definition of twitter nails it (American Heritage Dictionary):

twitter: n. The light chirping sound made by certain birds. b. A similar sound, especially light, tremulous speech or laughter. 2. Agitation or excitement; flutter.

Things might have improved a bit (or at least gotten a patina of adult and professional participation) since Time Magazine told us last year that “more often than not” Twitter’s members “are simply killing time.”  But, we’ve seen how often fellow blawgers jump on new technologies and crazes that end up creating an unmanageable and unjustifiable torrent of information and distraction.  So, I’m going to keep in mind Time’s admonition:

“We cyberjunkies need a new thrill, and what better than a service that combines social networking, blogging and texting?

“. . . I know, it’s totally silly and shallow, but that’s precisely why Twitter is on its way to becoming the next killer app.”

If you think that constant marketing or attracting blawg visitors is at the core of your law practice (or your cyber-business), joining the Twitter revolution might make sense, as you follow dozens, scores, or maybe hundreds of other Tweeters throughout the day or hope they follow you.  But, I sure hope you’re not my lawyer (or my employee), adding yet another wave of cyber-distractions to your workday, instead of focusing on efficiently providing quality services.  For us, maintaining multiple levels of unessential multitasking is not a virtue.

Granted, the f/k/a Gang is not part of the gotta-be-constantly-in-touch generation, nor among the first-wavers clamoring to jump on every new techno- or cybercraze. That might be because the Editor is only 13 months from his 60th birthday.  That needn’t be a bad thing.  When it comes to prioritizing one’s time or activities, getting older might actually mean getting wiser. It has hopefully meant acquiring enough self-awareness to know a time-sink when I see one.

Of course, it also means that I can only speak for myself.  Please don’t let this grumpy apologia stop you from Twittering to your heart’s content.  Just don’t expect Prof. Yabut or myself to be waiting for your next Tweet.

Bob Ambrogi says “The difference between Twitter and a blog is akin to the difference between a haiku and a ballad.”  That’s a good enough excuse to get off our Twitter Tirade and move to the haiku portion of this posting.  For us, of course, haiku is an extracurricular activity, meant to be taken in small quantities of high quality, at our own pace and on our own schedule.

Here, for example, are a few haiku moments from a haijin we love to follow, Hilary Tann:

spring afternoon
two chickadees . . .
sol-fa, mi-re

playing hooky –
twice around
the village square

dessert menu –
falling for
illustrations

late afternoon
watching the carp school
before rehearsal

spring jacket —
a haiku fragment
inside

between flights
I summarize my life
for a stranger

waiting for you
the restaurant noren
parts in the breeze

her garden blooms
with flowers whose names
she no longer recalls

?. by Hilary Tann - Upstate Dim Sum (2008/II)

… photo haiga: by dagosan …

Full post as published by f/k/a . . . on November 15, 2008 (boomark / email).