I for one am glad that twitter is a thing.

I am able to publish posts on my blog and then share them with people. Sometimes they get read, sometimes not. But I have a place where I can share my ideas which will hopefully resonate with others who will be inspired. This is when social media is at its best. When people are moved and educated and inspired to act.

It is at it’s worst when people use it to demean, insult and ridicule people.

It’s easy to do this because we don’t have to actually face the person we are attacking. Rarely is dialogue fruitful in the sense that conversation can lead to thoughtful and open discussion. The manner in which it is played out is where the difference between the life giving discussion I have described and a bitter descent into name calling can be created.

So how do we dialogue on twitter in a way that is helpful and productive?

Here are a few ideas that I think could have aided various discussions I have been privy to on twitter recently. Continue reading →