The Dalai Lama Twitters and then is gone

February 1: The Dalai Lama joins the micro-blogging service Twitter and starts posting updates, which soon almost 20,000 people are following.

February 9: Twitter announces that the Dalai Lama's account is a fake and cancels it. This explanatory message was posted on the Twitter blog:

One of the essential doctrines of Buddhism is Impermanence. The word expresses the notion that everything we can experience through our senses is in flux, constantly changing, and ceasing to be—nothing is permanent. Is there some meaning, therefore, in the sudden disappearance of a Twitter account thought to be the official account of The Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama?
There may be a higher meaning if you meditate enough but the account was suspended because it violated our Terms of Use regarding impersonation. Using Twitter to impersonate others in a manner that does or is intended to mislead, confuse, or deceive others is also cited in the Twitter Rules. Should His Holiness decide to take up Twittering for real, we'll be sure to Follow.

I have a Twitter account, but I never use it. I can't figure out what the point of Twitter is, especially for people who already have a Facebook account. (Thanks, Cranky Media Guy!)

Identity/Imposters Social Media

Posted on Tue Feb 10, 2009


Comments

Heck of a twitter that dali llama.
Posted by Boshode  on  Wed Feb 11, 2009  at  08:51 AM
I may be the only person who has no clue what twitter is about or how it works. But, then again, I also don't have a myspace or facebook page.
Posted by TJ  on  Wed Feb 11, 2009  at  09:07 AM
Twittering is a way for narcissists to annoy even more people.
Posted by Joe  on  Wed Feb 11, 2009  at  04:53 PM
I can't figure out what the point of a Facebook account is, especially for people who have a real life........
Posted by Roscoe  on  Wed Mar 04, 2009  at  03:37 PM
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