During an earlier blog, I gave the impression I was reducing the amount of time I spent on Twitter because of a reluctance to trawl through reams of what I considered to be trivial drivel. Subsequently, as if to discredit my reasoning, someone observed that Twitter provided the option to choose who to follow. However, since I had made it clear that I already limit those I follow or by whom I am followed to those with whom I felt some sort of a genuine connection, the observation seemed rather pointless.
It did, however, prompt me to wonder who they (my followers) were and whether that might provide an additional clue to why I was becoming disenchanted with the forum and a quick analysis revealed that about 33% of them were fans of my son, Lloyd. Like him, most grew up when Mrs. Thatcher's government was in office and, as a result perhaps, developed political views somewhat to the left of centre. I, on the other hand, was born before WW2 and have experienced a significantly wider range of political leadership and, although my natural inclination is towards the right, I have become more eclectic in my views as the years have passed.
Now, the reason I brought Lloyd's fans into the equation is that, were it not for the fact I'm his dad, it's unlikely many would be following an incongruous septuagenarian on a social networking forum. From my point of view, however, Twitter afforded me the opportunity to consider opinions somewhat different from my own - and, going on from that, I can't deny that I have enjoyed indulging in banter and playing devil's advocate with some a little more politically-correct (PC) than myself.
During the lead-up to last year's general election, however, as Mr. Brown's government was losing control, some people with whom I had enjoyed communicating seemed to be losing their composure, too. Although, in one case, an apology was forthcoming, expressions such as Cuntservatives and fucktards (whatever they are) were being bandied about. Equally concerning, since the coalition was formed, I have observed even more vitriolic language being used by people who really should know better. Fortunately, only one or two have been excessively tiresome. However, having a little too much wine at the end of the day is no excuse.
I understand, by the way, why many of those I'm talking about came to despise Tory policies of the seventies and the eighties. Their generation didn't witness the damage caused by the failure of successive Socialist governments to curb the influence of the trade unions. So, it's not their fault that they don't really understand that a lot of what Mrs. Thatcher did was an attempt to restore the United Kingdom's reputation.
Turning to the present, the coalition have found themselves in a similar situation and, for my part, I'm becoming a little tired of the petty sniping I read on Twitter. Even Mr. Milliband, seems to accept New Labour's shortcomings and I can't understand why many of those who were responsible for keeping them in power for so long (their voters) can't bring themselves to do the same - especially those I would classify as Champagne Socialists.
So, in conclusion, if it isn't already obvious, my original 'Leaving Note' doesn't tell the whole story. Although it is true that I abandoned my first visit to Twitterland because of trivia, the more recent decision to visit less frequently is a reflection of the fact that my thinking is not quite in tune with many of those with whom I've become associated. As a consequence, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to stop myself becoming aggravated. Blaming it on something else was disingenuous of me - and I HATE disingenuousness.
