@Natalie – Thanks for the comment. Great point about social etiquette. People always ask my opinion about *unfollowing* people. I agree with you. The tool is for the user. I don’t see anything wrong with unfollowing someone and I would not be offended if someone unfollowed me.

We get out of social networking what we put into it. That’s why I always say choose your *friends* wisely.

One thing I mention to folks slow to adopt this or any social networking technology – you really need to let go of some of your old norms and expectations regarding social etiquette. This means that it’s ok to be honest within limits (i.e. no bullying/attacking others) – you are, after all, a human being. It also means it’s ok to choose who you follow based on your own values and expectations for the tools you use. You mention this – I would add that it’s also ok to unfollow someone if they no longer meet your expectations. Unfollowing is not the same as rejecting.

Thanks for the comments. I apologize for being so late in my reply.

I just read a fantastic post by our friend Nikki Massaro Kauffman over at .eduGuru (as you know, Kyle!) called Change is a Social Movement that relates somewhat to this conversation, I think.

This is all a change and it’s not going to happen unless we make it happen (as Nikki says, Just do it!). Jared says that Twitter is for the 18 – 35 year-old, which may be true now, but probably not in 5 years (if Twitter is even around and we haven’t moved on to another Twitter-like tool).

Being a part of change is exciting. I can’t wait to go to the Omniture Summit in February so I can Tweet the sessions!

You will miss out on 30% of the conversation if you aren’t listening and communicating here and you will see a very practical and overzealous use of the service. Of course it will slow down once you get back from the conference and most likely you won’t have the time, but you will at least see a very “In your face” practical use and value of the technology.