Everybody’s a critic these days. The Age of Information has dawned and there is simply no limit to our ability to tell the world what we think. Or is there?

 

 

We can view what sites we like on the web, and Twitter can tell the world instantly whether we like it or not. Sure, there’s a limit to the number of characters that can be used, but LOL, OMG, WTF, and all the other alphabetti spaghetti get the message across that you liked what you saw. Or not as the case may be.

Is it being too pedantic to declare that these statements are just that; statements? They are a thumbs up or down, a vote for the one with the biggest…assets, a hand in the air saying “Please, sir, me, sir, I know, sir!” They respond to the question, “Do you have an opinion – Y/N. Tick one and go to the next section.”

It is the ‘next section’ that concerns us, the one that asks, “Explain your opinion (be brief)”.

An example is called for. Here is a selection of reviews taken from StumbleUpon pages:
love it
Great
Awesome
nice representation
i was impressed
This is an interesting idea
omg
That is sooo cool!
WTF!
WOW…..Just damn!

These are all from different sites., and they are supposed to be reviews.

Really, they are just comments, like this spam comment from The Works of George Berkley (honestly, that’s how it is signed) in response to the post Rock and Roll; “rock and roll”.

Now, since George was a philosopher,albeit now deceased, this is probably a highly profound comment. In fairness, the post does actually refer to George in passing.

These so-called reviews, however, are just obscure;

“It reminds me of that Star Trek TNG episode where they find out that criminals from another civilization actually are suffering from a brain defect… It’s another reason I don’t believe in the death penalty.”

“How amazing and awesome is this! I wonder how they did it. Mix your own YouTube song, of sorts…”

“Stumble must be tied to the ECCO or something because I was listening to a Chomsky lecture talking about the same thing today.”

And the list goes on.

Now, don’t get me wrong, if you happen to be looking at the article/picture/song under review at the time, then at least you know what the comment (!) is about. But, (picky, picky) it isn’t a review if it doesn’t tell you what it’s about.

Oh, then, you say, if that’s all….Now wait a minute. Here are ALL the reviews for Twittley;

First up, so you know what we’re talking about, here’s the official ‘About Us’ column from twittley.com;

About us
What is twittley?
Twittley is first Twitter social news website made for people to discover and share content through Twitter network, by submitting links and stories, and voting and commenting on submitted links and stories.

With me so far? OK, now here are the 7 reviews for the site:

1) Twittley is first Twitter social news website made for people to discover and share content through Twitter network

2) Twittley is first Twitter social news website made for people to discover and share content through Twitter network

3) From the page: “Twittley is first Twitter social news website made for people to discover and share content through Twitter network

4) Twittley is first Twitter social news website made for people to discover and share content through Twitter network

Are you beginning to sense a trend here?

5) Twittley is first Twitter social news website made for people to discover and share content through Twitter network, by submitting links and stories, and voting and commenting on submitted links and stories

6) From the page: “Twittley is first Twitter social news website made for people to discover and share content through Twitter network, by submitting links and stories, and voting and commenting on submitted links and stories

 

 

And finally, my personal favourite, from CutestPrincess (cool name!);

7) Twittley – About us

Aaall righty, then. But let’s not be too harsh; 2 of the reviewers did at least say they were quoting from the page in question, and by this time, I think we all know what Twittley is.

So, here it is. Your task, Jim, should you choose to accept it, is to Twitter a review of this article, using words of no less then one syllable, describing what the article is about and giving reasons for whether you like it or not.

Closing date for the competition will be when we get a reply.

All replies, regardless of content (asking for trouble, I know) will be published on this blog under the title ‘Right of Reply’.

Prizes have yet to be found, but I reckon Twittley should sponsor this, what do you say?