I got asked by a workmate “why do you bother with twitter?”. Here are 4 reasons, and a sanity-check:

1)Your twitter feed is like fishing in a torrent – you’ve no idea what you’ll pick up. That’s its beauty. Just follow 100 people, 50 on your area, 50 on areas close to it...

..Then, randomly dangle your rod in for 5 minutes a day.
Today I got this on marine fuels:

https://twitter.com/BryanComerPhD/status/1359487813784371201

and this excellent guide on writing: https://twitter.com/ryankatzrosene/status/1359686715703754752

Double result!

2) It’s also great for picking up the very latest news – for every issue there’s always someone really plugged in who’s tweeting about it.

Like this, on today’s decision whether to expand Leeds Bradford Airport https://twitter.com/chappersmk/status/1359195812056735749

3)You can help amplify your colleagues’ work.

Share/comment on good things people have published or done.

So, if you’re into climate change research, follow any of this lovely lot at @tyndallmanc: https://twitter.com/i/lists/1217014060467859457

4)Twitter can be a real shit-show sometimes – bad-tempered, aggressive, partisan. But it’s also full of funny, kind or helpful people. Make sure you follow people who make you laugh or just post interesting things. Like @besskalb @TheDweck @simongerman600 @JimMFelton

5) Sanity check(s). i) Don’t follow people who wind you up.
I know this makes you more prone to be in a "bubble", but who wants to keep reading stuff that makes you furious? Not me (any more....) .

And ii) limit how long you stay on twitter, it's addictive!

Final: any tips for getting more out of twitter, please let me know!