Eight years have passed since the launch of the social media titan known as Twitter. To date over 200 million active accounts spout to the world their innermost thoughts, their queries, their clever puns — amongst plenty of challenging trending topics that seek to influence change. It is safe to say that with its eight year lifespan that there is little sign of any dwindling popularity for the site and no fear of it petering out of the popular consciousness of mainstream media or its home on the internet any time soon. Twitter’s longevity can be attributed to its simplistic format of allowing people to update their followers in tiny, bite-size chunks. While some may consider the 140 characters to be a restriction, others have found new and creative ways to stretch the boundaries of these limitations by adjusting their creative muscles to suit the format they are given. Additionally, Twitter has a unique way of normalizing our eternal love affair with celebrity culture as it brings the brightest stars of television and film to a much more grounded level. Thanks to Twitter, I now know that Ian McKellen enjoys pizza like everyone else in the world and that Adam Baldwin is a douche.
Truthfully, the twitter-verse can be a pretty daunting prospect when you are a newbie with the negativity of GamerGate supporters and rampant harassment unfortunately present in most areas of the internet. From my brief experience on the site this year, I can bring a beacon of light for the site with a gaggle of glorious accounts in which you should follow. We here at the Arcade are on hand to get you started with some funny, interesting, entertaining and quality people in which to help brighten up your day — in one hundred forty characters or less!
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Just got a Christmas card from Dudes 4 Nudes… inside it just reads “SEND NUDES”. I’m too furious to finish my mince pie. God dammet
— AstonishingSod (@AstonishingSod) December 17, 2014
James Thomas is the man behind the moniker. Astonishing Sod is an irrelevant off the wall comedic account that features a bit of tomfoolery and some witty observations to hook you in. The self-professed president of Twitter brings the funny daily despite never having a proper election to lay claim to his chosen title.
@maxlavergne
you need a good haircut, you go see tony of rome. that’s tony, of rome pic.twitter.com/bpmtGdadwd — max account (@maxlavergne) December 18, 2014
Max Lavergne has a weird sense of humor. This helps greatly in the format of quick predominantly nonsensical tweets that confuse as well as amuse.
Are writers born or made? Jack Kerouac on the crucial difference between talent and genius: http://t.co/xynTlKu42k pic.twitter.com/9KvtZlSrSH
— Maria Popova (@brainpicker) December 18, 2014
Brainpicker is named after the well-regarded blog, Brainpickings. The twitter is run by Maria Popova who has a keen eye for finding bizarre — yet truly fascinating facts accompanied with nourishing food-for-thought pieces that will make you eager to learn more.
@OhYeahCourtoon/@Missyeru
Courtney and Michelle are America-based cosplayers better known by their usernames, Courtoon and Missyeru. The duo are wonderfully talented in their craft and have equally wonderful personalities to match. You can give them a follow for current cosplays that they have in progress and updates they post about future convention appearances.
@Wario64
Minecraft Story Mode: A Telltale game series http://t.co/73VjblSKpC
— Wario64 (@Wario64) December 18, 2014
A must for gamers! Frequently posts up to date sweet deals on the latest video games to hit shelves or become available on steam. Features a plethora of news updates to boot making this a handy twitter to follow that can also raise a smile with some of its more humorous posts.
AXL ROSE is an anagram of SNORLAX
— Famous Anagrams (@FamousAnagrams) October 25, 2014
Word nerds such as me will appreciate a clever anagram in their feed every now and then. Famous Anagrams will fulfill this specific need once or twice a month using celebrity names.
@Jam_sponge
I made this helpful piece of art for a friend of mine who can’t sleep maybe it will help you too pic.twitter.com/C0W9dSzDPo
— Matt Lees (@Jam_sponge) December 18, 2014
Matt Lees is a former aficionado of videogamer.com. He is currently going from strength to strength as a solo content creator and has a great mind for insight into important topics related to the video game industry. The ideas he has are typically well-formed and they come packaged with an affable, cheeky sense of humor.
I don’t normally shout things like “WTF” out loud when watching shows alone, but there’s a Scottish space ghost giving Dr. Crusher orgasms
— ToddInTheShadows (@ShadowTodd) December 19, 2014
This is Todd. He makes really entertaining music critique videos — and he has a small dog. He posts about the dog a lot. Follow him!
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Thanks for investing the time to read this newbie guide! I hope you have found some of my favourite accounts to be a pleasing offering to you. If you still have a hankering for more sizzling content in your feed; then why not follow @the_Arcade for up to date news and editorials on the latest in pop culture media and entertainment. Check me out too @danjokazooie. I retweet a lot of smarter/funnier people.
