I’ve got an account on Plurk, but after checking it out for a couple of days, I’m not really using it.

Daryl, who has become a huge proponent of Plurk, has been sharing some of his reasons for choosing Plurk over Twitter. His reason number 4: it provides closer/more intimate conversations. And in a way, I don’t disagree.

But that point is precisely why I’m not on Plurk. The downside of more intimate conversations is that there tends to be more “mindless chatter“, as Daryl put it – and as evidenced by this thread. Yes, it helps build closer relationships, but from an outsider – if I’m not following everyone in that conversation – it doesn’t add much value, just noise.

It’s sort of related to what Mitch Joel wrote about why he tends to reply using Direct Messages instead of @ replies on Twitter, and why I personally don’t write much about my personal life here.

Yes, there’s a place for Plurk, I’m not denying that. It’s just a completely different dynamic, and not one that’s suited to me. I’m looking not just for conversations, but for intellectual, stimulating discussions.

I try to keep my personal conversations private, for two reasons. firstly, to not add too much noise. And secondly, because in a mass conversation like that, chances are – for me personally – I would have trouble keeping up and giving due attention to everyone.

Sonny Gill wrote that “Twitter is the conference and Plurk is the party“. And personally, I’m just not much of a party person.

So yeah, if you’re looking for me on Plurk, chances are you’ll find my account, but not me. I’m not on it anymore. I’m waiting (and hoping) for Twitter to get back up.