Twitter & Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry, a very talented person.

A great actor and comedian, Steven Fry shared a few words about Twitter on Brisbane Times. He is not one to deny the power of “Twitter” and reveals that he was using it long before it gained its immense popularity. Myself, however, am still new to Twitter having only joined for this course. Although I have not used it much this semester, I have found a lot of its uses while working for my assessment. This new knowledge is certainly urging me to use the social networking site.

 Fry frequently "twitters" from his iphone.

Fry has always been fascinated with new, modern technology, being the second person in the UK to purchase a Macintosh. He slowly uncovered the power and strength of Twitter a few years ago. While packing for Africa, he noted he had 7000 followers. When he arrived to his destination, he was shocked to find he now had 22000 followers. The number of people on Twitter increases each minute, and each are finding use for this website.

Fry shares that he is happy to do interviews that are filmed. However, he is completely against print journalists. He says that Twitter is the cause of this. With him being able to communicate with his 3.3million followers, he has no use for someone to scramble down his words. He feels that print journalists cannot capture his words and may intentionally twist them around. I feel as if past experience may be speaking more here than actual facts. Print journalists, I believe, are like any other – ready to serve the public for a good cause. He feels that celebrities Twitter accounts have allowed them a new relationship with their fans. This is both a good and bad thing for journalists. Twitter allows journalists to use Twitter to find news about celebrities that they can print on newspapers. However, Twitter is allowing less need of interviews (print) as they themselves can convey their own words to their people. 

Fry's Twitter account.

I have realised that there are two sides to Twitter. It can used to provide news to people with speed and directness. However, it can also be false and misleading. Fry has also shown a way it is reducing the need of print journalists. 
I am still undecided overall about Twitter. Perhaps I should just use it more and watch my addiction to site increase to the point of my Facebook addiction. 

Sources of images used (in order of appearance)

• http://www.geekosystem.com/stephen-fry-mycroft-sherlock-holmes/ 
• http://www.digital-digest.com/blog/DVDGuy/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/stephen_fry.jpg
• http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyid=201640