Yes, since my original post — the list phenom has settled down and I can see somewhat how they can be useful………

but however, I still remain skeptical. Right now, I am on 47 lists — of varying titles all having to do with EdTech “pros” — (I type that with tongue in cheek) — and I still wonder the necessity of so many groups.

Sometimes, I feel, we spread ourselves too thin and reinvent things that do not have to be reinvented…..

and often I see that we also don’t always know how to overlap and play “nice” with each other and not always have to the “ohhh, I made a list” mentality.

On tweetdeck, I instantly saw the usefulness of making groups. But that was usually for my eyes only. On twitter, I am still seeing it as a “lookee list” since everyone can see the lists people have made and who are on them.

I do agree that you cannot add to other’s lists which should be a given — perhaps add a suggestion icon could be nice — so we could grow each other’s lists — but also a “drop out of list” would be nice as well.

I am NOT 100% opposed to lists — but I still am unsure why we need them.

Thanks for sharing.
J

My list of followers has grown pretty huge over the years and these lists help me to keep track of different people. I also have a “friends” list but I have kept it private so that I don’t make anyone feel bad. Finally, I find the Twitter list helpful when introducing people to Twitter, it gives them a way to see and follow my PLN and how it works, and also helps them to build their own.

I hear what you are saying, but I think the positive potential out weighs the negative. I haven’t paid attention to who’s lists I’m on. I can see that potentially hurting someone’s feelings, but I guess I just don’t take it personally. I know a lot of these lists duplicate each other, but the problem is you can’t add people to other people’s lists, so sometimes it is easier to just make your own.

Now, I may make some private lists, but that’s just to keep myself organized.

Are you using Twitter lists? Nope
How are you creating Twitter lists? I’m not
And what do you think of Twitter lists? Hate them

Maybe I don’t understand lists. I know who my friends are, who the math teachers are, who the programming people are, etc. I guess I don’t need further organization. And what if I have friends that teach math AND program? Do I have to decide which category they best fit? Way too much angst for a tool supposedly as simple as Twitter.

I don’t think that the value of having lists will outweigh all the distress that will arise when people learn they are not on certain lists. Honestly, I think the “friends” lists are the most dangerous. An oversight on such a list can cause hurt feelings.

I do see how lists could benefit people who follow thousands of others. But still, I don’t see why the lists have to be public. I know the reasoning behind the decision but I don’t think there is much to be gained.