This Is A Masterclass In How To Win A Twitter Fight

Lessons from the Global Town Square™

If you spend a lot of time on Twitter, chances are you'll come across somebody who really grinds your gears. They'll say something rude/wrong/silly/unnecessary and you'll be tempted to engage. A spat will ensue. A kerfuffle. It's important you are prepared. Below is your template. If this happens to you, assume the role of tech evangelist and Rackspace Startup Liaison Officer, Robert Scoble.

Conflict can come out of nowhere, like this link to a thoughtful and interesting post about the role of Facebook's algorithms in censoring a very important and sensitive national news story.

why I dislike fb RT @AntDeRosa “What happens to #Ferguson affects what happens to Ferguson.” @zeynep https://t.co/pUNEhXJYPm // @Scobleizer

You engage.

@LaurenLockliear @AntDeRosa @zeynep I have seen dozens of posts about Ferguson. So, maybe your friends just don't like it.

A fellow thinkfluencer refutes your claim.

@Scobleizer @LaurenLockliear @zeynep Facebook just tends to be really bad at discovering/following news.

Here is where it is important not to give up. Dig in.

@AntDeRosa @LaurenLockliear @zeynep That is NOT true. I have MANY lists on Facebook where I can discover news just as good as on Twitter.

@Scobleizer @LaurenLockliear @zeynep I tried using Facebook Lists but always come back here, to Twitter, because FB Lists are inferior

@LaurenLockliear @AntDeRosa @zeynep it's clear you never listen to me on Facebook. I can't speak to others. BUT I HAVE BEEN PUSHING LISTS.

@Scobleizer @LaurenLockliear @zeynep you might push Lists but Facebook doesn’t so nobody cares about them

Here, you could give up. But this is a marathon. Steel yourself.

And then, when nobody is expecting it, repeat this tweet word-for-word:

@AntDeRosa @LaurenLockliear @zeynep I have a higher Klout score and more inbound than you do. YOU are wrong. I do this for a living too.

*the ground below you begins to shake*

@Scobleizer @LaurenLockliear @zeynep Klout score, I’m crying laughing right now

Now, finish him.

@AntDeRosa @LaurenLockliear @zeynep I figured you would like that. I can't stand debating on Twitter. Thinking of taking this to Google+.

Perfection.

For the purposes of full disclosure, the author's Klout score is 14 points lower than Robert Scoble's.

Skip to footer