An Open Response to Leonard Pitts' Attack on Twitter

Dear Mr. Pitts,

You’re not the first observer to express uncertainty about Twitter’s merits, and you won’t be the last. Your column was hardly a fresh perspective. But don’t worry, it’s a common malady with a common cure.

Like the hordes of half-informed columnists, busy executives and malcontents who came before you, your biggest mistake is that you took a cursory glance at Twitter and made a snap judgment.

Sure, if you judge Twitter by the Tweets of Ann Curry or Shaquile O’Neal, Twitter might seem frivolous. If you look only at the “I’m eating a hamburger” posts, you might get that impression, too. But what you missed in your fact gathering are the millions of people now using Twitter as a productivity tool.

Yes, Mr. Pitts, some people actually accomplish things via Twitter. We’re growing businesses, finding jobs, raising money for charity, planning conferences and engaging in ethics debates.

Rather than argue the point here on my blog, though, I’d like to make you an offer: Let’s talk.

The way I see it, this is a forest/trees situation. You’ve seen some of what’s happening on Twitter, but not all of it. Let me show you the rest.

We can communicate via whichever medium you’re most comfortable with: Telephone, e-mail, facsimile, CB radio — pick your poison. Still have those walkie-talkies you had in 4th grade?

I’ll admit this is an experiment. My self-interest in this is to put my powers of persuasion to the test. If I happen to open your eyes to a tool that makes your job easier, we’ll just call it gravy. Thousands of journalists use Twitter already, and it’s saving their careers. Let’s see what Twitter can do for Leonard Pitts. Heck, maybe you’ll even retract your “I will never Twitter you” promise.

Maybe.
 

Sincerely,

Scott Hepburn
Copywriter, Blogger, Twitter User

P.S. Right now, this post is being “ReTweeted” (forwarding, in email lingo) all over Twitter, driving traffic to your column. You’re welcome. I’m sure the Miami Herald’s advertising department appreciates Twitter today.