Twit picks
Top 10 tweeps you must follow
Jonathan Vern McGill
Staff Writer
T witter is dreadfully fun, and sometimes quite addictive. There is always something to do on it, new conversations to be had, hilarious tweets to read and breaking news to stay informed. There’s such a wide variety of people to follow, from local Calgary bloggers to video-game celebrities in South Korea, with all sorts of content to keep students amused during early-morning lecture classes.
Sure, I was skeptical about joining way back when because I figured it would just be more useless Facebook status updates. But, after I started following and tweeting, I saw how it could work for me.
I’ve promoted my music and videos on Twitter, kept in contact with friends from Japan during the May 11 tsunami and earthquake and used Twitter to organize group projects at school (a gruelling task, if you ask me.) Twitter isn’t just for telling your followers that you made a sandwich or how drunk you were on St. Patricks Day — it’s a place for discussion and communication across the “Twitterverse.”
If you’re new to Twitter, follow interesting people, whether celebrities, comedians, politicians or fictional characters (30 Rock’s Tracy Jordan is hilarious on Twitter). If you’re already on Twitter, follow more people and expand your tweeting horizons. This is my top-10 list for most interesting, comedic or useful Twitter feeds, but while you’re at it, you had best follow The Reflector on Twitter as well at @reflectthis. Happy tweeting, everyone.
1. @OpenFileCGY
This community-focused news site takes suggestions for stories from readers and assigns a reporter to investigate. Their Twitter feed will keep you up-to-date on local events and links to information all across Canada.
2. @calgarytransit
Calgary Transit is constantly using Twitter to update followers on delays, detours, changes in routes and to respond to questions or complaints from followers. If you notice a problem on transit, send them a tweet and they’ll look into it.
3. @YYCfoodtrucks
Serving up European perogies, pizzas baked street-side, gourmet tacos and plenty of other types of delicious food, the Calgary Food Trucks are here to please your taste buds. There are many people involved with the project and by following them all on Twitter you’ll know exactly where you can grab some great curb-side grub at any time.
4. @AJEnglish
Al Jezeera, the 24-hour news and current affairs channel, provides followers with breaking news, updates, spotlights, questions and coverage of global events. This feed updates six times every hour, so prepare to have your Twitter abuzz with news from around the globe.
5. @TEDTalks
TED Talks is a set of global conferences that aim to share “ideas worth spreading,” and their Twitter feed updates followers daily on new talks, linking tweeps to the video feed. TED is short for technology, entertainment and design, and there are discussions for interests of all shapes and sizes.
6. @badbanana
Tim Siedell is hilariously crude and no one is safe from a spontaneous roast from this man. Taking jabs at Bear Grylls, George Clooney, the Irish and even plane crashes, this Nebraskan writer is sure to brighten your dreary Monday mornings with his playfully dark sense of humour.
7. @Oatmeal
Matthew Inman, of Oatmeal comics and blog, will keep you entertained with his original comics, random quizzes and insightful stories he links on his Twitter. You’ll probably find yourself laughing awkwardly to yourself mid-class if you start browsing his comics section.
8. @TheOnion
The Onion is a satirical news source that covers real-life issues and obscure or bizarre fictional topics. Those familiar with the publication would know to take The Onion with a grain of salt. However, their recent article on Facebook being a C.I.A. surveillance program were taken seriously by some across the Internet.
9. @World_recipes
Ease off the Kraft Dinner, my dear students, and check out @World_recipes. This Twitter feed provides links to recipes from around the world, tips on organizing a barbeque and how to get the kids to eat their vegetables. @World_recipes’ feed includes healthy links, easy five-minute
meals and advanced cooking recipes.
10.@lifehacker
Learn to unclog a toilet with dish soap when no plunger is in sight, “MacGyver” a wrench out of nuts and bolts or how to perfectly eat a chicken wing. Lifehacker is a source for obscure and random skills that might just make life a little easier.
