Numbers don’t matter. That’s what we say right? But then in the same breath we sing the virtues of helping students create authentic audiences. Well if numbers don’t matter than who is sitting in the seats?

I hit a bit of a bizarre synergistic milestone today. I reached 2000 followers on Twitter and the exact same time I sent out my 20,000 Tweet.

So what? First off, I am a bit weird about numbers and how they line up. I don’t like the maths but I like symmetry in numbers. There seems to be some kind of secret to the universe or an explanation of chaos when numbers randomly fall into step and align.

So I was excited when  a few week ago, I saw that there was a good chance I could make my 2’s connect. Adrienne Michetti even went so far as to publicly mock me for my OCD tendencies, but we are tight like that and I took it in stride.

I will admit that when both numbers were in the high 19’s I did curb a few tweets to make sure that the numbers would sink, but that seems like a tiny step considering I have sent out 20,000 Tweets in a few years and somehow 2000 people seem to care or at least tolerate the random things I seem to spew out endlessly. I have tried to keep the numbers authentic by blocking spam followers, but I am sure that the number of people actively listening is much lower then 2000, but what ever the number maybe it is higher than the 10 or 15 I started with.

And that matters! At least to me. Because that is my audience. These are the people, sorry, you are the people I have painstakingly culled from the entire world and convinced that what I have to say matters and is important. You are the people who read my words, give me advice, and yes often validation, but more importantly you are the people who have chosen to listen, and no matter what we try tell ourselves the larger that audience is the better. If we believe what we teach kids about how their voices matter, and that the new digital age is fantastic because it allows them to articulate, express and share that voice with a global audience, then I feel we too should find our voice and help it grow.

Now, I am not so vain to think that all 2000 people are hanging on my every word, and I would agree that  I only truly have close authentic interactions with maybe 50 of you, but as my audience grows there is more of a chance that I will meet a few more kindred spirits who will connect me to a few more and so on and so on. This isn’t about fame or popularity, this is about using the power of a network to help us find our tribes and build communities working toward change. There are many much more intellectual voices out there who can write about the science behind networks and collectivism, I am just writing how I see it, in my own simple way. The more people who care about and listen to what I have to say, the stronger and more attuned our tribe.

A few years ago I had a personal blog my mom read, now I have several blogs, a youtube channel, and many other places online  where I spread out my life to share with as many people as I can. I have created remarkable relationships with people all over the world, and have created an authentic audience for my voice. Isn’t that what we are teaching our students to do?

The best part is, I haven’t followed any scripts of what “good” blogging should be, or changed my style or ideas in anyways. I have been honest, open and passionate, and apparently 2000 of you think that is a good thing.

In closing, let me say- Thanks for all the support and energy you spend keeping up with my grammatically error ridden ramblings and for paying attention and caring about what the world looks like through my eyes. Here is to the next 20,000 Tweets and 2000 followers. See you soon at 40,000 and 4000! Bring your friends.

Oh and I must thank Kim Cofino for introducing me to this world of connectivity and offering me advice and guidance whether I wanted it or not. I’ve come a long way since she was my first and only follower. Thanks Kim.