Trying to keep up with changes and innovations in the world of science presents quite a few challenges for me. Information
overload does not begin to describe my frustration in deciding what to write about.
But thanks to Twitter, the highly criticized (or much beloved) microblogging tool, I am able to keep up with all sorts of new information happening in the world of science and technology. So in a way, there are nearly 250 people contributing to the content produced for my column at the Baltimore Science News Examiner.
To use Twitter effectively, one much pick and choose whom one should follow and also whom one should accept as followers. Because I have specific goals in mind in writing about science, I don't follow Britney Spears or P. Diddy. They won't be tweeting about information I can use. Instead, I try to seek out those who have their fingers on the pulse of research, science policy, science writing, higher education, and the like. Similarly, those that follow me back tend to be interested in the same science-y, techy stuff I like to know about. In addition, I have a few followers interested in music, arts, literature and so on.
As a way of saying thanks to those following me on Twitter, I have posted below a mosaic produced by the TwitterMosaic tool created by Sxoop. Please consider following me on Twitter @Mary_Spiro. Also, check out the profiles of the fine people or organizations listed below. If you like science, you probably will like what they are writing about, too.
Check out my full Twitter profile at http://twitter.com/Mary_Spiro
As always, your suggestions for science news stories, especially ones relevant to Baltimore and Maryland, are welcome at any time at BaltimoreScienceExaminer@gmail.com.
Comments
You might like to know there's a twitter twibe for scientwists with almost 400 members:
www.twibes.com/group/scientists
And, I am compiling a list of scientwists who get in touch or share (almost 500 members now)
bit.ly/scientwists
This is pretty cool Mary. Thanks for adding us to your mosaic. :)
Twitter is one of those things that, until you "get it," it just doesn't seem that interesting.
But WOW! It's a great tool to build communities and foster conversation.
Thanks for including us!
feministchemists.com
As one of your followers and followees(?), I have to say it's really incredible what you're doing with Twitter. I must disagree on one point, though: who's to say P. Diddy won't come out with a gem of a science news tip one day?
True Rhea, Diddy may have some scientific revelation that I will need to LOCK IN!!!! But I can't say enough about how Twitter has helped with all my writing endeavors. And the rising tide is lifting all boats. Thanks for reading, everyone.
it was great to see b's logo in the middle of all these other great twitterers. Thanks, mary!
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