I agree with all of that.
And with this.
I’d add a couple of thoughts. On issues like Brexit, to get a sense of the overall picture you need to hear from lawyers (in many fields, from crime to competition), economists, trade geeks, politicians, political commentators, (ex) civil servants/EU officials, business people...
Twitter works well for that: and for getting many informed takes from different informed perspectives fast.
Second, academics: academics who put stuff out on Twitter can immediately communicate what they are doing to an audience that can pick it up and use it.
This is really useful: and any sensible metric of what academics do should recognise the value of a short timely blog post on (say) a leading case or new development in economics vis a vis a long article in a learned journal that few practitioners will ever find time to read.
And to academics in less obviously commercial fields: blog and tweet away. I really like keeping up with areas that interest me (political theory/classics/history/music/theology ...) and really welcome blogs/tweets on interesting stuff.
I know I should read the book: but time is limited, and a tweet/blog will point me to a book I’d never otherwise have come across.
Third, meeting people in real life who you’ve got to know on Twitter is great. Recommended.
Fourth, really try to find interesting people to follow who you disagree with. It’s too easy to get into a rut. (It’s best if they’re people who take the same view: then you can have interesting discussions when you both move a bit - always the best kind.)
And fifth, just mute people who are rude. Trumpian abuse and personal attacks are always signs of weakness and insecurity (they are for Trump). Don’t rise to it.
Finally, I’m sure that Twitter has improved my drafting. Trying to explain something complex in a few short Tweets is great practice for having to deal with the Court of Appeal (and dealing with a pile-on in response to your tweet is not unlike a bad day in the Court of Appeal).
