I used to be fairly active on Twitter but have found I have taken a bit of a step back recently. I realise the thought of Twitter may make some people shudder in horror, but I used to think it was like hanging with a bunch of mates in a bar. You get to listen to all the different conversations going on, partake in some, ignore others – just like it is when you are in a bar with a large crowd. Of late, it has lost some of its attraction, and for two main reasons.

The first reason is that there seems to be some people that just talk AT twitter. I have ‘friends’ (followers to use the correct parlance) on Twitter that have NEVER tweeted me. Not once. Why the fuck did you follow me in the first place? Is it some weird voyeurism, or is it just that you want an audience for your self-important witterings? I fear that it is largely the latter. I think I am long overdue a cull of followers.

I try to talk to others, to join in on conversations, and I have a core of followers that do reciprocate, that will engage if I leave a tweet. It is because of this core bunch that I haven’t completely left twitter altogether.

The other reason that it has lost some of its shine, and sadly my core followers can be guilty of this, is that some seem to take a delight on pissing allover things I enjoy. It seems to be that there is this thing about twitter (and Facebook to a degree) that people feel inclined to crap all over something, to be overly negative about something. Sometimes it feels as if something is popular then its not cool enough for them, so they feel driven to be snooty about it. I’ve seen comments made about a show even before they have watched it! Even constructive criticism turns into a flame-fest on twitter, everyone jumping on the band wagon because someone else didn’t like it, and I’m so sick of it.

I fully support the right to make comment even if I don’t personally agree with the content of that comment. Free speech was a hard won right, and I will defend it until my last breath. What I mean is when I go onto twitter (or any social media for that matter) saying how much I like a thing, or am looking forward to a thing – be it a film, a book, a song or whatever – don’t respond negatively. It’s the negativity that is driving me away. It makes feel bad for liking the thing, and you take away my enjoyment of it. I feel like twitter is telling me nothing should be enjoyed. Why would you want to do that to someone? I am not saying everyone should like the same things as me but if you don’t, don’t feel that gives you the right to piss on my parade, to take away my glee, my joy.

I have unfollowed two people already this week because my patience for this kind of disparagement has all but gone.

So what am I asking you to do? Move along. Allow me my moment of joy.

I do it all the time. I have friends that watch Strictly or Big Brother or The Apprentice. I would rather have my pubes pulled out one at a time than watch any of those shows, but do I pass comment or judgement on their gushings? No, because I respect their right to have an opinion different to mine and to find joy in whatever corner of the universe they wish to look for it.

In the words of Bill and Ted – be excellent to each other.