I just an interesting debate with @mediamum on Twitter. I thought it may be interesting to post a transcript of the debate because you probably just heard my side of the debate.

*Order is reorganized a bit as a couple of conversations with @mediamum were happening at the same time through part of the debate.

@warrenng:  It made me incredibly happy to see a homeless man sitting on the ground in front of the coin-operated news stand reading the morning ‘paper.

@mediamum:  Can I ask why?

@warrenng:  For a moment in my observation, I imagined many destitute lives proactively on a road to recovery thru education & information.

@mediamum:  You think that will happen reading a newspaper?

@warrenng:  A ‘paper by itself wouldn’t do it. As I said, I imagined it only briefly. The point was how education can improve quality of life.

@mediamum:  Can I invite you to read one of the homeless’s blogs, or even Max Weller’s blog at the Daily Camera http://maxweller.pmpblogs.com/

@mediamum:  education and information goes both ways. The haves need to learn more about the homeless too.

@warrenng:  140 characters aren’t to be taken literally. Education curricula would have to be created based on practical needs.

@mediamum:  I disagree. 140 characters should definitely be taken literally, or invitations for explanation are fine too.

@mediamum:  I’d ask you for more detail, but I fear that wasn’t what you were expecting. :)

@warrenng:  I invite you to query me for more explanations… I fear my point is being lost in translation

@mediamum:  I don’t want to be seen as attacking you.

@warrenng:  thus why 140 char. shouldn’t be taken literally cause it sounds like we’re in disagreement when I don’t think that’s the case

@mediamum:  I think we probably are in disagreement. But we don’t need to continue this. Have a great day.

@warrenng:  What just happened?

@warrenng:  Yes education & info go both ways, but the homeless must assimilate to the world. The “haves” role is not to alienate them.

@mediamum:  By not alienating them, that would actually mean finding out more about them? Many homeless are well educated in bad situations.

@mediamum:  I(sic. ‘ll) let you off the hook. :) You’re saying some big statements that probably need a lot of time to disseminate.

@warrenng:  ”let me off the hook”? Seriously?! All this for caring about homeless?

@mediamum:  Yes. By let you off the hook I mean I’m not going to ask you details about why you feel the way you do. That’s all.

@warrenng:  Flat out, what is your stance on the homeless?

@mediamum:  My stance? I believe many ppl make assumptions about homeless people that are condescending and misinformed.

@mediamum:  I don’t understand what you’re saying. How does education improve quality of life for a homeless person? (yes, I’m detailed)

@warrenng:  for starters, it shows them the public & free resources available to them to improve their “bad situation”

@warrenng:  for an academic I’m shocked that you disagree that education improves quality of life

@mediamum:  How do you know this? (RE: free resources improving “bad situation)

@mediamum:  I didn’t say I disagree with that. I do, however, believe that it is one of many factors. Very naive to single it out.

@warrenng:  by participating in the Boulder Shelter’s fundraisers. I’ve seen & heard many accounts of the + effect of these resources

@warrenng:  I think it’s presumptuous for you think that was the only factor I’m considering.

@mediamum:  Free resources, etc, is publicly available “education”. Not traditional education?

@warrenng:  Education & information is what I said. It includes all forms of education, the focus I said was *practical* education.

@mediamum:  It was the only one you said. And you said it was a universal truth, standing alone.

@warrenng:  again you are reading 140 too literally! Universal as in the point applies to all “homeless or not” as I said.

@warrenng:  …not to mistaken for “the only reason…” or “causal relationships”

@mediamum:  Okay. This is obviously way too big a topic for time, as I previously thought it would be.

@mediamum:  I hope you have a nice day.

@warrenng:  you have a nice day as well. when you have more time, i’m always here.

I can’t believe that this transpired on Twitter for pointing out something that seemed like such a positive.  Why @mediamum was so argumentative, I’m not sure.  I don’t believe for even a moment she empathized with my intent.  She misinterpreted my comments and that tone must have carried through the entire conversation.

Note to self:  Twitter’s 140 characters allow your message easily to be misconstrued; despite your best efforts in wordsmithing to ensure proper communication.

I apologize for what probably seemed like Twitter spam, but thought I’d keep it publicly available so their was some closure on the conversation.

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