HASH-TAG PSA.

This one goes out to all my twitter users.

I know we all see things on twitter everyday that enthrall or upset us. But nothing upsets me more than a twitter veteran who doesn’t understand hash tags. I’ve noticed there is a lack of education and thus I bring you this blog post.

I use hash tags. In fact, I think I even love hash tags. They’ve infiltrated my life beyond twitter and show up in text messages, g-chat conversations, and often even during my ‘Words with Friends’ games that I play with…. strangers. I appreciate how they have the power to turn a statement into something ironic. For whatever reason, that little sign can take a mundane thought and transform it into something that can elicit at least a smirk if not a chuckle out of me (I KNOW RIGHT, what a privilege). BUT, when used incorrectly, all it does is evoke a scowl on my face. And let’s be real, I don’t need the premature wrinkles. So in an effort to reduce my expenses on anti-aging cream, let’s solve this problem.

I know that hash tags started off as a way to group ideas on twitter. For example, in the early infancy days when everyone thanked each other for a retweet or an ‘@’ reply, (remember those days?) we needed hash tags to find other tweeps who were focusing on the same subject matter as us.

Example: “Watching the 2008 presidential debate, GOBAMA! #politics #election08″ or whatever.

That was a time far far away when hash tags served a purpose in organization but now… they merely exist to provide humor, mostly. Twitter has evolved and advanced and because of that, us users no longer need the hash to categorize our ideas. If you’re looking for other twitches who are discussing the same thing you are, all you have to do is enter the term or terms into the search bar and VIOLA! All tweets containing that term pop up.

Because of this, here’s what you need not do: “long-term Libyan dictator Gaddhafi has died. reports confim. #Libya #Gaddhafi”

THAT KIND OF A TWEET MAKES ME SO IRRATIONALLY ANGRY. Repeating words you already used in your tweet at the end with hash tags isn’t doing anything, guys. IT’S DOING NOTHING, other then severely agitating me. So please stop doing it. Acceptable uses of hash tags are preferably  for the purposes of humor and irony…which I normally fail at. Or in situations where the subject of your tweet isn’t obvious to your followers.

Example: “has anyone else picked up on the fact that Bachman looks like she’s wearing a space suit? #2012GOPdebate”

Usage like that is totally acceptable and will not make you appear to be an inept twitter moron. Too harsh? I’m not sorry. I’m doing this as much for your benefit as mine. Twitter is my happy place and much like the misuse of “you’re” and “your” grates on the nerves of grammar nazi’s, the misuse of hash tags grates on mine. So let’s band together and fix this problem in an effort to secure a more beautiful tomorrow.

See you on my timeline, tweethearts! xo