Socially inadequate

I was thoroughly disheartened to read a recent survey claiming that about a quarter of people consider Twitter an "essential communication tool in a democracy".

Well, I'm sure the thing revolutionaries working to overthrow Nicolae Ceausescu 20 years ago looked forward to most was the possible development of a 140-characters-or-less-based social networking community. That's democracy, baby.

The survey was carried out by Lewis Communications and Ed Adeyeri, digital PR director at the firm, said: "Online campaigns are a great way to engage people in real-time and are going to feature prominently in this election. It is imperative that parties recognise and build on this interest."

Ed, as far as I'm concerned, Cambo, Brownie and the other guy can Tweet me till they're blue in the Face [Book]. Phone me, page me, fax me till I'm silly. I just want policies. With numbers and dates and everything. If you can fit your manifesto in 140 characters, you've probably lost my vote.