I just read a fascinating article in London’s Times newspaper, which has some quite intriguing quotes.  First, is from a clinical psychologist – Oliver James – about his concerns about Twitter.

“Twittering stems from a lack of identity. It’s a constant update of who you are, what you are, where you are. Nobody would Twitter if they had a strong sense of identity.”

I guess while we’re at it, he should probably add blogging to that too, since Twitter is simply a micro-blogging service.

The article also had another great quote from Dr David Lewis, a cognitive neuropsychologist and director of research based at the University of Sussex.

“We are the most narcissistic age ever.  Using Twitter suggests a level of insecurity whereby, unless people recognise you, you cease to exist. It may stave off insecurity in the short term, but it won’t cure it.”

Eek, I’m now having an identity crisis (although, contradictory, I do have a big narcissistic head), and am utterly lost and insecure.  Gotta go back to Twitter and tell everyone about it…

Related articles

• A load of Twitter – Feel the need to tell everyone everything … (Andy Pemberton/Times of London) (techmeme.com)
• Let the Twitter backlash begin: Times calls Twitter users narcissistic (inquisitr.com)
• I Tweet, Therefore I Am [Twitter] (gawker.com)
• Times Drivel: Twitter Users Are Narcissistic (montysmegamarketing.com)
• Do Twitterers have less of an identity than a newspaper columnist? Oliver James answers (blogs.journalism.co.uk)