Someone asked me (rhetorically) why I post here. Also: do I want followers?
Of course it's more fun with more people. But I don't post in a way that aims to increase follower numbers:
* I post in two languages (& boost in more).
* I generally boost too much.
* I do not focus on one topic (science, politics, food, random photos, outreach, insiders clearly for astro/research colleagues, train complains, books, museum visits, etc.)
For me, it's about the random encounters. 1/3
I like sharing. I need sharing. Life is like a nice dinner or a city trip. So much better when shared with others.
It's also about the chance encounters that make a life richer. It's about the chance to
* have a random phone call about EU policies with @littledetritus, half-interrupted because I'm on a train, crossing the border
* meet @df4or - in Southern Patagonia of all places
* pass some tiny plant babies to @meyltje
* eat amazing vegan haggis by @nomnomdan
2/3
Of course every like and every boost is a dopamine kick.
And yeah, I would likely have neither my job nor my book without social media - and definitely would not have given a number of public outreach talks I did give over the years. And I would have missed some actual work/science connections. All of this more so on old twitter, not here.
But that's the consequence - not the primary aim.
3/3
One thing, I like about your posts is that you never know what comes, but it's almost certainly worth reading.
Dr. Victoria Grinberg
Mina
Petra van Cronenburg