For the love of Twitter

This time last week, there was a landmark even in Australian politics.  First, the #spill, and then Kevin Rudd’s decision to step aside and allow Julia Gillard to become the first female prime minister of Australia.  This all occured over the course of twelve hours – while, on the other side of the world, a record-breaking tennis match took place over a similar period of time.

I wasn’t following the tennis [not much of a Wimbledon fan], but I was following the #spill all the way, thanks to my trusty friend, Twitter.  Through a combination of following the right people, and being connected at the right time, I found myself contributing to discussions and being thoroughly entertained by the whole process, while at the same time, feeling more politically aware and involved than I ever have before.

My favourite #spill tweets came from the wonderfully fake @KevinRuddExPM:

DELETED JULIA FROM MY FACEBOOK #spill
10:42 PM Jun 23rd via web

SERIOUSLY GUYS, I GAVE YOU ALL $950 LAST YEAR FUCK WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT #spill
11:15 PM Jun 23rd via web

RAH RAH, AH AH AH – ROMAAA RO-MA MAH, GILL-ARD FUCKING SLUT
12:46 AM Jun 24th via web

Excellent commentary was also provided by writer @benjaminlaw.

And speaking of Twitter, the whole ordeal was so captivating, that I forgot to buy tickets to see @StephenFry! [Although, at $90 each, I probably couldn’t have afforded to go, anyway].