Today, 175+ cities across the world are hosting “Twestivals” in an effort to bring Twitterers and non-Twitters alike together to drink and meet each other. Really? All of these people will be tweeting about being at a Twestival but no one will get it because they’ll be at a Twestival as well. I’m wondering if the world will finally rid itself of evangelical Twits as they simultaneously combust from the tweeting while at a Twestival and reading the tweets of other twits at a Twestival. Perhaps it will be my head that will explode.

In seriousness, I have a tough time bashing this one because they really are trying to do something for a good cause. They are raising money for charity:water. At the time of this post (840pm on Feb 12, the day of the Twestival), they have raised over $13,000. Hats off to Twestival for doing something good. 

However, as a guy who makes a living consulting to nonprofit groups I must admit that this is a pathetic showing. It will get all sorts of press (in fact, I saw a blog posting on it the other day and a friend told me about it today because they heard about it on the radio), which is nice for the charity. Hopefully, there will be a lift in additional gifts. But $13k? For 175+ cities?  Let me check my math…that’s about $75 per Twestival. Come on, Twitter Nation…can’t you do better than that?

Because I feel guilty about posting on Twestivals tonight, I’ll do my part and throw my $5 at charity:water - that’s the suggested amount on the twestival site. But now I’m beginning to wonder…maybe this is a brilliant move to get a bunch of followers that they can tweet their way into guilting for additional donations later?? 

I’m sure my non-profit consulting brethren will tout the rousing success of Twestivals and point to the inevitable rise of fundraising on Twitter. In my heart, I’m hopeful. But it is exactly the noise around commercial messaging, fundraising solicitation, and ‘who cares’ tweets about useless personal conversation that may very well be the downfall of Twitter.

I’m getting way too philosophical. Let’s get back to bashing Twitter. 

The funniest thing about Twestival day is the completely ridiculous location of one of the Twestivals. Get this - SecondLife. Let’s think about that for a minute. Twitter evangelists going WAY out of their way to log on to SecondLife and participate in a Twestival. Are you kidding me? 

OK, I admit. I don’t think much of SecondLife (surprise!). I couldn’t graduate past the orientation you go through in guiding your avatar through the test streets to even be granted access to the actual community. I’m so ashamed as a failure. Hey, I may not be able to get into SecondLife but I bet I could kick any kid’s ass at Pac Man. 

I digress. Twestival at SecondLife? Just let that sink in a little bit and tell me it isn’t some sign of the apocalypse. 

Enough for tonight. Good luck to Twestival and charity: water. It will provide fodder for Twitter nation and that much more fodder for us TwitterBashers.

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