Jason Permenter

In regards to the new Favstar-related Favit iPhone app [iTunes link], and with absolute respect for TJ’s take on it in his awesome TUAW review (hi TJ!):

As fun and cool of an app as it is, the bit I’ve highlighted from the Favit description on the iTunes store makes me a little uncomfortable. As TJ mentions in his review, and as Tim Haines (the creator of Favit) intends— the anonymity of the tweets as you read them is actually a central feature, not a bug. Without trying to sound like I’m pounding my fists on my desk, I’d still like to get this issue off my chest so I can get back to panicking about getting a couple of important projects done okay fine yes I’m procrastinating and have been all day sue me.

I might not be the funniest, or cleverest, of Twitterers. But as someone who appreciates Twitter’s unique forum for this odd sort of artistic expression, I feel strongly that up-front attribution is often essential to the context of the humor. Some people might just not care, and that’s completely fine. Honestly. But, well….I actually don’t want my tweets to be anonymous. Not at any stage of the game. Not without my permission.

Does that mean I’m afraid a joke I try to make won’t be able to stand on its own, anonymously? Not as far as I’m concerned: my ‘tweets’ are at their essence comprised of my icon, my username and a collection of <140 characters. As it works for now, that’s something I can absolutely assume is the case, each and every time. Whether I need it or not, I happen to want the context, and I craft the vast majority of my tweets accordingly. For me, that tiny, complete package is what stands on its own. If part of that package is missing, and then only a portion of that is broadcast elsewhere by another entity, it’s simply not the content as I’d intended it to be, and assumed it would.

Even though Anna picks on me for often spending days or even weeks crafting tweets until they’re just right, it really is something I enjoy doing as a tiny form of art, as it is for many of you reading this. And, as strange as it might sound to others, crafting funny tweets is a creative format I can take pretty seriously. I care about what I’m making, even if it’s something absurd about Lady Gaga or whatever his name is. And since I’m the one creating content, whatever the form, that means I also care about how it’s disseminated.

In using Twitter (or Brizzly, or something something pick your favorite Twitter-viewing client), I have an assumption, at the very least, that my username (@jasonpermenter) will be right there next to whatever comment I make, and, in most cases, I have an assumption that a little photo of me with glasses on, looking all serious even though I’m really never that serious, will be right there to give a tiny boost of silliness to my words. I’d argue even powerhouse Twitter funnyman @fireland would be a good deal less funny if his little icon were a picture of him making a funny face with his tongue sticking out. One of Zaius13’s tweets, for example, would absolutely not be the same sort of funny if you saw it on Bailey’s feed. And vice versa. Because those voices, those icons, and those contexts are intrinsic parts of the packages they’re creating. I happen to think that’s important. I’m just suggesting that the merits of a tweet/joke standing on its own is just… well, it’s actually not how all forms of joking work.

I could go on and on, and yes yes yes I’m aware it’s not really that huge of a deal. It’s just a strange, uncomfortable feeling that context is so often essential, regardless of medium. For someone or something to republish any of my tweets without immediate attribution, anywhere, anyhow, feels a little like if I were to post a photo on my blog and not give any apparent credit to the original photographer. Sure, perhaps you can click it to find out the source, but that’s clearly not an appropriate way to credit anyone, in our little technological, bloggy world.

For the record, I do have the Favit app, and I absolutely support and appreciate Tim’s hard and dedicated work with both Favstar and Favit. Just some thoughts, is all. Maybe mostly just needing some sugar or something.