Sounds like you’re in the “quality over quantity” camp. I’m with you – the vast majority of those I follow really challenge and enrich my life. There are indeed pros and cons to following someone else’s list – it could be an easy way to gain exposure to new, potentially interesting folks. But then, as humans we’re multi-faceted with many interests so there’s the risk of inadvertently hearing way too much about someone’s pet poodle too.

I agree with your perspective.

Personally I’m, currently, not that bothered with lists & have no interest in creating any. I am following very few people (sub 1000) but most of which are hand picked & provide tremendous value to me. To then follow a list will provide me with many unknowns and, as you say, will rely on the list creator to provide value. But then I could argue that if the list author’s tweets provide value then so should their list?!

As for the categorisation, yes, I can see it having potentially negative effects but I’m thinking that will come down to the individual concerned & their perception.