No Twitter user (Brooklyn Museum among them) will impact Twitter’s progression toward being overrun by “commercial interests.” They are already driven by commercial interests, and they always have been.

Twitter is neither open nor free. It is one sell-out away from overbearing advertising, unsettling challenges to online privacy, and unscrupulous data-mining and -sharing. It may not happen this year, but it will happen soon (it’s either sell or die).

We use Twitter because it works. They provide a platform to us because they want us to make it work. It’s as simple as that–there is no cause here for you to defend (except Brooklyn Museum’s).

And if more museums charge for memberships on social networks that offer great incentives for members, more power to the museum community. They have such a difficult time raising money that I think it takes some real ingenuity to try something new.

If you think museums should be free and accessible to all, you should go work at one and see how difficult it is to keep programs and exhibits going (not to mention keep the lights on). Museums are an expensive endeavor. Who will pay for them otherwise? Because trust me, the Museum has already tried for every grant and corporate sponsor they can.

The Brooklyn Museum is a non-profit entity. So inherently, it cannot (and does not) have “commercial interests.” In which case I guess I don’t fully understand your objection…

Are you suggesting, instead, that non-profit programs like 1stfans will somehow cause a domino effect, leading eventually to Coca-Cola and Nike and Lexus trying to sell me memberships? I guess I don’t think that scenario is likely — especially since on Twitter (unlike Facebook, where I can’t block the ads) I can choose to “unfollow” anyone at anytime.

I am more than a little baffled — and, honestly, disheartened — by people who criticize an accessible and affordable giving program at a time when most people find it incredibly difficult to be generous and philanthropic at all, given the state of our economy. As for me, I’m proud to be part of the incredibly creative, interesting, supportive, passionate group of 1stfans who have signaled their affection and support for this museum by making a mere $20 donation.

And,….I hate Twitter! That’s right, I joined this elite group, with closed-door Twitter privileges and I am not even reading it….It honestly, never once, occurred to me that the BM was charging me for Twitter access…because they’re really not. When you think about the time and effort the museum puts in to being an industry-leader in the use of social media, $20 seems like a drop in the bucket…using @floodfish’s logic you should be angry anytime you pay to see an art exhibition. Stuff costs money! All stuff….even “invisible” cool internet stuff.

Thanks to Shelley and Will for creating this dialogue!