WordSmith: A Great Batch in The Good Batch
Gerard Smith provides a rare and positive insight into social media and his pocket friends and followers in his weekly WordSmith column...
Sunday morning I was scrolling social media when a headline from The Sunday Independent Magazine caught my eye.
It read: ‘HOW I FOUND MY TRIBE ON TWITTER (AND WE REFUSE TO CALL IT X!) Given I’m struggling to adopt to that platform’s change of name, I continued to read.
I was delighted to discover it featured eight women, all of whom I know online; for I’m part of their Twitter X tribe, too. It was lovely to read such an insightful piece about an inspiring group I positively engage with on social media, in the mainstream media.
Twitter was (is) a minefield; its hazards often hidden under the cloak of anonymity. Some time back, I posted a relatively benign comment on an impending referendum; it blew up and led to numerous personal threats of violence. Before that, I was of the opinion you ignore online hate; yet when it’s hurled your way, it stings. Afterwards, I said: ENOUGH! And, I made a conscious decision to revise how I use social platforms. Now, I post positively and don’t engage with toxicity.
That said, Twitter X can be a force for good. One morning, shortly after my dad died, I spontaneously wrote about him from the heart. I posted my writing to Twitter (it was subsequently published as my first WordSmith column). Immediately, the post proceeded to go viral. It prompted people to share their stories of parental loss; the responses helped me grieve and heal. And more so, it showed me the positive impact words can have, it led me to a new a way of writing that continues to stand me in good stead.
When Twitter was sold to Mr Musk, the changes came thundering in like an avalanche. There was a great exodus as many deactivated their accounts and fled for new beginnings on other platforms. It felt like standing alone on a virtual platform waving goodbye to a freight load of friends I’d never see again. I clung to those who stayed, the stalwarts. Together we navigated the ongoing cavalcade of change; until we arrived at this place called X that we still call Twitter.
In our increasingly chaotic world, the continued presence of a Twitter X friend is a comfort. They’re the people who live on my phone, in my pocket. Recently, I was feeling under the weather when I saw a random post from a pocket friend, “Smack a smile on your mush and get on with the day,” (thanks Jay). A simple sentiment, seen at the right time; it lifted my spirits and spurred me on. My positive-pocket-people are a salve to the soul.
Then, one Saturday afternoon earlier this year my phone pinged. I read a Direct Message from Maureen, one of the tribe, “Hi Gerard, we’re going to Ballyjamesduff for a Twitter meet up, would you like to come?” Originally from Terenure, Maureen now extols the virtues of life in Belturbet. In fact, Maureen tweets so beautifully from her corner of Cavan, that for me (and many), she’s a Brand Ambassador for Belturbet and beyond.
On the way I felt a tug of anxiety; like the kind you feel when about to meet your in-laws for the first time. But the easy banter between Maureen, her husband and myself, settled me.
On arrival, I took a deep breath and readied to meet my pocket-people in real life.
I walked into ‘The Good Batch’ Café. The place was awash with good ambience and banter. And then, there they were, my positive-pocket-people from near and far, all made real; all buzzing and bantering in a relaxed atmosphere. It felt like meeting people off the telly; I was awed and overwhelmed in an awesome way.
I sat with Maz, whose patisserie-sweet tweets from a charming French village always make me drool. Now, we bonded in Ballyjamesduff (it has its charms), whilst I devoured a buttered slice of ‘Cully’s Cherry Log’ – C’est magnifique! On the whole, I didn’t say much.
Instead, I bathed in the wonderful whirlpool of personalities. Being in the presence of good people in a good place is a good thing.
Afterwards, Maureen gave us all a jar of her homemade marmalade. It is: sweet, spicy, and comforting, much like my real-life experience of meeting my Titter X Tribe. Maybe we’ll meet again – come back pocket-people to Ballyjamesduff.
READ MORE