While I see worth in twitter the idea that in order to succeed in academia one needs to participate in that stuff is stomach turning. It should be something we resist, not encourage.
Academia shouldn't be a popularity contest. Social media is.
Academia shouldn't be a popularity contest. Social media is.
When used in an academic context, I see it as a tool to more widely disseminate research, with the particular benefit of reaching non-traditional consumers.
And trying to reach a wide audience is not the same as engaging in a shallow popularity contest.