New Democrat quits Twitter for good

New Democratic Party MP Charlie Angus logged off Twitter for good late last month. Angus complained about the dumbed-down nature of the Twitter conversations.

Angus had been tweeting for about a year and a half before he decided to quit. Angus claims that only about 5 per cent of what he read was worth reading. One positive aspect of Twittering was that it helped bring attention to a housing crisis in his constituency at the Attawapiskat First Nation. However he also read a great number of tweets that were inane, mean-spirited or even racist. One person tweeted that they hoped the people at Attawapiskat froze to death.

Angus noted that Twitter took up time that he could have used to better use by having real conversations, responding to emails or doing other more productive tasks. Angus represents Timmins-James Bay a vast northern Ontario riding. Angus continues to use Facebook to communicate with constituents. While he enjoys Facebook because he is dealing with real people. Angus notes:: “I think new media has a really important role to play but more and more Twitter, again, it’s like being badgered by a drunk on a 24-hour bus ride.” For more see this Globe and Mail article.