The internet is like a talking bear: undoubtedly miraculous but best approached with caution. This has never been truer than in the case of the time-thief Twitter. In the six years since its inception, the site that lets us socialise in teaspoons has delighted, inspired, disgusted and distracted (to distraction) its 140 million users, often in the space of half an hour; and changed the world forever.
One thing everyone agrees on is that nobody agrees on the point of Twitter. It is derided as trivial (the name "Twitter" was chosen because it meant "a short burst of inconsequential information") as frequently as it is hailed as the engine that drove the Arab Spring. It's both a voyeuristic window into the gilded idiocy of celebrity and a spotlight on suffering that would otherwise go unrecorded. Twitter's fuel is extreme emotion – jealousy, rage, mawkish sentimentality and LOLZ. As such, it's a digital Molotov cocktail, constantly waiting for a spark. Just ask Samantha Brick, Ricky Gervais and Cat Bin Lady.
Thanks to Twitter, television – George Orwell's "cyclopean eye" – has become a compound one, a multi-screen myriad of information streams. Like many others, I traced the path of last summer's riots sitting in front of the rolling news with my laptop on my knee, following Guardian journalist Paul Lewis's tweets from the ground, DMing friends trapped in their houses and thinking "#PrayForRain". But whereas Orwell's viewers were pinned like a butterfly under television's unblinking glare, Twitter has restored a beneficial distance between us and it. If Twitter is a virtual living room, the TV has been put back into it. Viewing is a group activity again, which certainly brightens up Question Time.
Graham Linehan once posted: "Celebrities who don't follow anyone! You have in your possession a magic mirror, and you're just using it as a mirror!" which made me laugh, then made me think: maybe Twitter's status as an enchanted looking glass isn't limited to famouses. The mirror told the wicked queen the truth, even when it was unpalatable. Our online personalities may be an exaggeration of ourselves, but perhaps "In Ternet Veritas"? Regardless, Twitter demonstrates the ugly reality of problems like racism, as illustrated by the recent case of "Muamba tweeter" Liam Stacey. Hopefully the outrage that followed his remarks shows attitudes are moving in the right direction.
For me, Twitter is proof that human beings are endlessly adaptable and perpetually compelled to create societies wherever we go. Or wherever we don't – the absence of physical space seems no bar to our need to live together. As such, I can't help loving it.
Here are our favourite 50 tweeters, and their top three follows…
Gary Barlow
@GBarlowOfficialSinger1,363511,497,396Richard Branson@richardbranson
When does this guy sleep or stop travelling? A perfect peek into his beliefs, social calendar and up and coming events. And every so often lifts the lid on RB the human being!
Phillip Schofield@schofe
He was my first "follow", as everyone who has Twitter told me to follow him. And they were right – he's great value. He's as much a staple of Twitter life as he is a presenter on our TVs.
Jonathan Ross@wossy
Wossy is always worth a read. He's like a human Time Out. For TV, film releases and general awareness he keeps you up to speed and always with a touch of candid humour. Have always been a big fan.
Ruby Wax
@rubywaxComedian1,0227937,004Stephen Fry@stephenfry
Usually I'd be very envious of this type of person and want them dead, but in his case I forgive him. When I'm near him I panic in case he finds out how little knowledge I hold.
Kathy Lette@kathylette
Kathy has a gold card given to her by the Savoy Hotel which means free dining and drinking. She is loved by many and loves many, but I hope I'm her favourite – and that's not just because of her Savoy card.
Jennifer Saunders@ferrifrump
A comedy genius, and I don't want her dead because she has given me the gift of editing her lines for Absolutely Fabulous. I have implanted my teeth in her ankles so she can never get rid of me.
Derren Brown
@derrenbrownMagician6,099331,123,675Gareth spanitini@garethspanitini
I like tweeters who really embrace the medium and who don't commit the sins of arrogance and relentless self-promotion or simply tweet too much. Gareth is a great example. We became good friends over Twitter and he's been over from Australia to stay. His tweets really make me laugh, which is enough for me first thing in the morning.
Stephen Long@longsongs
Stephen Long is a co-writer of mine and a singer/songwriter. He was born for Twitter. His tweets are highly whimsical and very funny. Like him.
James Rhodes@jrhodespianist
The iconoclastic and hilarious concert pianist. Plus some links to great music.
Rio Ferdinand
@rioferdy5Footballer9,0422752,647,514Jude Elliott-Jones@judeinlondon
I set Twitter-competitions for my followers and automatically follow the winners! She was the first.
Kevin J@kevinjcomedian
Comments on everything with that comedian head on.
Henry Winter@henrywinter
Good for all things football, good for team sheets and gets into debates.
Henry Holland
@henryhollandDesigner7,397401203,059Derek Blasberg@derekblasberg
Any party you would want to be at anywhere in the world, he is there.
Elizabeth Windsor@queen_uk
The pseudo-insight is genius. I've adopted her catchphrase: "It's Gin O'Clock!"
Katie Hillier@hillierlondon
Everything from squirrels to luxury goods.
Tinie Tempah
@tinietempahMusician14,1983171,483,052What The F*** Facts@whattheffacts
I like weird, funny, unimportant facts about people, the world and history.
Great Minds Quotes@greatestquotes
A quick and easy way to hear wise words from some of the sharpest minds of all time.
Zooey Deschanel@zooetdeschanel
One of the cutest and most adorable Hollywood actors around – very cool.
Alain de Botton
@alaindebottonPhilosopher6984,062201,462Jemima Kahn@jemima_khan
Great insights into Pakistani politics, human rights - and her family.
Richard Baconem@richardpbacon
Great guests on 5live and brings their wisdom and stories to life on his feed. Also loves to tell us news of his baby.
Derren Brown@derrenbrown
One of the cleverest people of our time, he tweets about religion, ethics and science.
Tracey Thorn
@tracey_thornSinger15,91924125,583Dotwinter@dotwinter
Properly idiosyncratic. Sample tweet: "I wish everything was a metre to the left."
Ian Martin@ianmartin
He's hilarious, rude, angry, warm-hearted. A mighty tweeter.
Jenny Colgan@jennycolgan
Always wry and astute. Lives in France, so adds a nice continental flavour.
Sasha Wilkins
@libertylndngirlBlogger20,64199553,523Anne Fousse@theworldclass1
Ex-Condé Nast Traveller employee, map obsessive and geographer, she tweets all sorts of map links and esoterica. Her feed feeds the geek within.
Alexander Fury@alexanderfury
The editor of LOVE magazine doesn't pull his punches. Head here for Celine Dion love, 90s Galliano adoration and, erm, trenchant show commentary.
Trish Deseine@trishdeseine
Paris thoughts, plus recipes and food links from this Irish cook and writer in France. Delightful.
John Cleese
@johncleeseComedian6832331,885,449Camilla Cleese@camillacleese
My daughter – she writes my jokes.
Eddie Izzard@eddieizzard
Eddie – he's the 6½th Python and he likes fish.
Michael Winner@mrmichaelwinner
Because he's Michael Winner.
Susie Lau
@susiebubbleBlogger9,0981,312157,064Alexander Fury@alexanderfury
His Twitter is locked, but once you get in there you'll be privy to the bitchiest and funniest fashion-related tweets around.
My Name Is Not Mort@mistermort
The world of menswear is a mystery to me, and Mister Mort guides me through the muddle.
Kang of Bellyshire@londoneater
This food blogger is a diligent picture taker and often makes me change my restaurant plans.
Jane Bruton
@janegraziaEditor6,62534118,375Nigel Molesworth@reelmolesworth
Twitter representation of the brilliant fictional boarding-school boy who gives hilarious commentary on world events.
George Michael@georgemichael
Whose earliest tweet read: "OMG! Crufts!" Thus confirming my long-term suspicion that he is amazing.
Tony Parsons@tonyparsonsuk
Sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, always thought-provoking. The wise man of Twitter.
Louise Mensch
@louisemenschMP18,2563,61649,465Piers Morgan@piersmorgan
Because he defines chutzpah.
Steve Hilton@stevehiltonguru
Guru for blue sky parody.
Matthew Hancock@matthancockmp
MP for economics and modernising Conservatism.
Tim Key
@timkeypersonComedian6205919,249Joey Barton@joey7barton
Although taking a break, he has been the crown prince of Twitter. Honest. Insightful. Fractious relationship with his followers. If you weren't following you may as well pack up and go home.
Brian Gittins@briangittins1
A pitiful presence. Tells jokes, tries to get conversations going. Searches for gigs.
Tim Vine@realtimvine
Best one-liner merchant in the universe. Accept no imitations. Made for Twitter. Mostly jokes; some observations inside restaurants and trains.
Paloma Faith
@palomafaithSinger5,542401203,436Josh Weller@joshweller
He's a bit of an undiscovered comic genius. He says he's a musician, but I think he's a comedian.
Geoff Lloyd@geofflloyd
A good friend and a DJ at Absolute Radio. He's good for a bit of light banter and controversy!
Dolly Parton@dolly_parton
She's amazing! She's full of inspiration and humour. She should write a self-help book! All hail to the power of Dolly!
Caitlin Moran
@caitlinmoranAuthor45,2261,058213,531David Arnold@davidgarnold
As The Apprentice started, he went: "For those who are wondering what piece of classical music this is, it's Prokofiev's Theme from the Apprentice."
Grace Dent@gracedent
She wrote How to Leave Twitter, and it has truly every rule the internet ever needs. She is my nemesis, and every day I look forward to bringing about her downfall.
Dumper@dmuper
Badly spelled windows into the world of a depressed robot who doesn't recognise his own repressed homosexuality (but we do – his eyes "flash red" when he's near a boyband).
Russell Kane
@russell_kaneComedian18,694603218,147Dalai Lama@dalailama
Can't beat waking up chock-full of self-centred egoism and stress, only to have it vanish in seconds with the levelling tweets of the Dalai.
Stephen Fry@stephenfry
His crisp, aphoristic nuggets clink cleanly through the Twittersphere tinkling with educated silliness.
Twop Twips@twoptwips
Based on Viz's Top Tips, these crack me up. An example: "Always carry a jellyfish with you to neutralise any splashback at the urinals."
Goldie
@mrgoldieMuscian15,23855042,183Stephen Fry@stephenfry
He's smart, clever, and opens thoughts on things I wouldn't imagine. Has an intelligent outlook on life.
Joe Rogan@joerogan
He's funny as hell and cracks me up. Always brings a smile to my face.
Wiley@wiley__
Outrageously funny!
Rob Da Bank, DJ
@robdabankDJ9,45456443,136John Niven@nivenj1
Author and music-biz aficionado Mr Niven is so much braver and truthful than I could ever be about the music industry.
Diplo@diplo
The überproducer/globe trotting DJ talks so much nonsense I'm not sure whether he's actually DJing on the moon or he's just at home having tea.
Southampton FC@officialsaints
As a fairweather Southampton fan with Saints on the verge of promotion to the Prem, these guys keep me in the loop.
David Shrigley
@davidshrigleyArtist5542222,329Mick Hodgkin@mickhodgkin
An Al Jazeera journalist with a humorous yet serious take on current affairs. He invents limericks on politics, which I think is quite admirable.
Cry Parrot@cryparrot
An independent music events organisation. They put on the most interesting gigs in Glasgow, where I live. I find out about esoteric music through them.
A Sound Awareness@sound_awareness
The place to go for obscure music and art. He has a very interesting blog if you're into weird arcania, so his Twitter account works as a conduit to that.
Boy George
@boygeorgeMusician24,60310,968203,004Morrissey@morrisseysworld
Most likely a parody account, but whoever is behind it manages to deliver many caustic and witty gems – rather like the real Morrissey, who is never lost for a unforgettable one-liner.
Kate Magic@katemagic
A raw-food guru who keeps me up to date with delicious recipes and the latest super foods.
Sober is Sexy@soberissexy
A site dedicated to promoting sobriety – and as a recovering addict, four years sober, I applaud this concept!
Anthony Horowitz
@anthonyhorowitzAuthor1,240268,956Guido Fawkes@guidofawkes
If something interesting or disturbing is happening in politics, you'll probably read it here first. I look forward to his tweets with a certain glee.
Jack Whitehall@jackwhitehall
I knew him when he was 13 – his tweets are effortlessly witty and sweet, and I like the way he tries out new jokes.
Derren Brown@derrenbrown
A master of the form. He's always engaging and humane. Did he hypnotise me to write this?
Amir Khan
@amirkhanBoxer9,3882381,001,728Will.i.am@iamwill
He's always got something interesting to say and I'm hoping to get him to one of my fights in the future!
Piers Morgan@piersmorgan
I like winding him up, but he gives as good as he gets. I've offered to get him in the ring, but he's gone a bit quiet on that front.
Rio Ferdinand@rioferdy5
Rio's a good mate. Like me, he gives his fans direct access to content and shares his opinion on all sorts of things.
Stephen Mangan
@stephenmanganACTOR6,55233496,614Philip Larkin@larkinquotes
Snippets from the Hull librarian work beautifully in bite-size pieces. Though the account seems to have been killed off.
Shaun Usher@lettersofnote
Links to letters of the famous and the extraordinary. Can be hilarious, heart-breaking or just plain weird.
Tony Pitts@thetonypitts
Eccentric, funny, poetic, disturbing and wonderful ramblings from "beautiful violent actor and writer" Tony Pitts.
Ian Rankin
@beathhighAuthor14,36965229,437The Skinny@theskinnymag
Culture and listings mag based in Scotland. Reviews, upcoming events, album releases, interviews. Well-written.
John Self@john_self
Likes books, links to info about new and forthcoming books and events, has GSOH. Seems well-connected.
Lothian & Borders police@lbp_police
I'm sure this Edinburgh-based account wasn't set up purely to help me with my own writing. Also posts traffic reports etc.
Danny Alexander
@dannyalexanderMP781899,524Paul Waugh@paulwaugh
Quickest to the UK political news.
Pete Apps@pete_apps
Top-notch analysis from Reuters political risk correspondent.
Gaby Hinsliff@gabyhinsliff
Former lobby hack now living firmly in the real world.
Salman Rushdie
@salmanrushdieAuthor1,585295270,644Gary Shteyngart@shteyngart
Because he's funny, has a dachshund and travels a lot.
Tottenham Hotspur@spursofficial
To embrace the sad fate of being a lifetime Spurs supporter.
Deepa Mehta@iamdeepamehta
Because she's the director of my movie Midnight's Children.
Patrcia Cornwell
@lpcornwellAuthor5,23461240,603Jennifer Saunders@ferrifrump
She delights me with her brilliant Far Side humour and I admire her courage.
Billie Jean King@billiejking
My childhood hero and a tremendous motivator. A gracious titan – they only made one.
Alec Baldwin@alecbaldwin
He's incredibly smart and witty and doesn't care what anybody thinks.
Edna Fry
@mrsstephenfryComedian10,8993,880142,292Gwyn Grey@greyskythinking
No matter how badly your day is going, one glance at his tweets and you're guaranteed to feel worse.
Ivy Manilow@ivymanilow
Owner of the Cuppa Cabana Café. She makes a lovely cup of tea. Well, she makes a cup of tea. Actually, it might be coffee…
Stephen Fry@stephenfry
My dear husband. I find him essential following on Twitter. It's so much cheaper than an ankle tag.
Sarah Silverman
@sarahksilvermanComedian2,1163162,864,647Megan Amram@meganamram
A weird, sexual, anti-comedy comedy.
Julieanne Smolinski@boobsradley
Sample tweet: "I wish it was cool for women to wear neckties, as I'd really like to define my head's sexy natural waist."
Bez@bez
Sample tweet: "I live every day like it's my last! So yeah, lots of calling exes and arrests for daytime skinnydipping."
Melanie Rickey
@fashedatlargeEditor7,46477924,652Neal Mann@fieldproducer
A former Sky News editor who uses Twitter to break the global news.
Your Life Coaches@lifecoachers
As if the Dalai Lama or Deepak Chopra has gone rogue.
Cathy Horyn@cathyhorynnyt
I follow everyone in fashion, but if anyone is going to break fashion news online it will be Cathy.
Jay Rayner
@jayrayner1Food critic7,7324946,839Brixton Blog@brixtonblog
A brilliant example of how local journalism can be reborn.
Harry Wallop@hwallop
Harry is the retail editor of the Daily Telegraph and the kind of obsessive reporter and finder of trinkets we all need. He tells me stuff I don't know.
Marina O'Loughlin@marinaoloughlin
The bloody marvellous restaurant critic for Metro. She's endlessly bitter, cross and enthusiastic in equal measure.
Diane Abbott
@hackneyabbottMP2,89326537,954Laurie Penny@pennyred
Everything that a young feminist should be: clever, funny, passionate and an excellent writer. Always ready to strap on her boots and leap into the latest controversy.
Akilah Jeffers@akilah_jeffers
Undergraduate activist. If there was any justice she would now be president of the Cambridge Student Union. Will certainly go far.
Shappi Khorsandi@shappikhorsandi
Charming writer and comedian who makes her domestic trivia totally gripping. With a deceptive lightness of touch, manages to be both funny and thoughtful. And sometimes in the same tweet!
Val McDermid
@valncdermidAuthor5,1962947,104Stella Duffy@stellduffy
Writer, actor, producer, feminist. Clever, funny, passionate, warm, generous, and far too talented! And she pricks my conscience.
Orkney Library@orkneylibrary
Entertaining, smart; a source of fascinating gobbets of irrelevance. Also illustrates all that's wonderful about libraries.
Fleet Street Fox@fleetstreetfox
Scabrous, sarcastic, splenetic about all the right things. Drinks more than I do, still a hack – makes me feel virtuous!
Robert Llewellyn
@bobbyllewActor35,78165483,127The DM Reporter@dmreporter
Brilliantly sharp Daily Mail-style story strap lines. Very funny.
Twop Twips@twoptips
A Twitter version of Top Tips from Viz magazine.
Dara O Briain@daraobriain
Describes himself as the "Infamous Brit-Licker" and says he's also been known to hand out free puppies. A combination of brilliantly funny and rather informative.
Stella Duffy
@stellduffyAuthor13,1441,2195,750Brixton Blog@brixtonblog
I like it for local news, generous retweeting of other blogs/Brixton tweeters, and because the blog itself is full of good stuff.
Russell Brown@publicaddress
I grew up in NZ and this links to NZ, US and non-Euro stories our press tends not to cover. Also good on music (which I'm not).
Deborah Orr@deborahjaneorr
I read her for the feminism, (not) cancer, playing, politics and to eavesdrop on conversations she has with shiny fancy people.
Emma Freud
@emmafreudProducer15,29757560,736Danny Baker@prodnose
Can't believe he doesn't charge for his tweets - they're extraordinary. He's a brilliant, inspired, wise commentator on our strange world and his stranger imaginings of it.
Richard Coles@revrichardcoles
Daily tweets about the memorable activities of saints, martyrs, gay vicars, his parish, his dog, his breakfast and his life at Radio Four. The walking embodiment of random, and the cleverest man I know.
Sophia Rossi@sofifii
The best American there is. Like a mash-up between Woody Allen, Archimedes and a small furry animal. Every tweet makes me wish I was her.
Grace Dent
@gracedentJournalist45,401885115,479Rachel Roberts@scouserachel
A long-standing Twitter cohort who is now a valued IRL [in real life] chum. I talk about scouserachel in my book How to Leave Twitter as an example of internet "cosmic brain twins".
Ed Simons@eddychemical
Ed and I both love telly. Many nights are spent together, on opposite sides of London, quacking at each other about Newsnight and Made in Chelsea. Our latest love is BBC2's brilliant Grandma's House.
Caitlin Moran@caitlinmoran
My Twitter sun, moon and stars. Caitlin is an iconoclast and I love her dearly. By iconoclast I mean "noisy berk with no off switch".
Estelle
@estelledarlingsMusician54,5451,029405,792Kid Fury@kidfury
Purely because his jokes are ridiculous and funny as hell! Look at his timeline - it's guaranteed to crack you up.
BBC Radio 1Xtra@1xtra
Keeps me up to date on my music, especially on what's hot in the UK.
i-D magazine@id_magazine
I love its covers - always incredible! I've been a collector for years.
Jeffrey Archer
@jeffrey_archerAuthor and ex-convict7931138,815Ian Botham@beefybotham
Some sportsmen die when they retire while others stride on into immortality.
London 2012@london2012
Failed hopelessly to get tickets, which makes me feel it's destined to be a massive success.
Donmar Warehouse@donmarwarehouse
Who would have thought a funny little theatre could pick up more awards last year than the NT. Bravo.
Gaby Hinsliff
@gabyhinsliffJournalist19,0931,17317,308Faisal Islam@faisalislam
Hack with the rare gift of making economics come alive for non-economists.
Louise Mensch@louisemensch
Love her or hate her, a lesson in how to build a political profile via Twitter.
Jonathan Main@booksellercrow
Sarcastic indy bookshop owner, one-man war against Amazon, shrewd observer of people.
Susie Orbach
@psychoanalysisAuthor268172,768Adios Barbie@adiosbarbie
Excellent material on body matters.
Giles Fraser@giles_fraser
From the profound to the ridiculous. Sample tweet: "Been at inspiring Coventry Refugee centre. But what a reflection on our society that we still have to hand out food parcels to people."
Naomi Colvin@auerfeld
Because Occupy is so important.
Peter Serafinowicz
@serafinowiczWriter14,3631,786622,251Megan Amram@meganamram
She's a young LA-based comedy writer/performer whose finely crafted jokes make me scream. Google "Shakespearean spam". Sample tweet: "I'm the only one who knows this is a murder mystery dinnerÂ…"
Graham Linehan@glinner
The stratospherically talented writer of The IT Crowd and a hundred other things. I am beginning to suspect he has an entire brain-lobe devoted to Twitter.
Rob Delaney@robdelaney
A beautiful, filthy man who makes me laugh every day. Sample tweet: "A huge power move in a meeting is to eat the other guy's telephone. Everyone will laugh and you'll get a huge raise."
Gizzi Erskine
@gizzierskineTV Presenter19,35159625,509Fergus Henderson@mr_st_john
I share his approach to food and cooking. His Twitter feed is a true representation of him – honest, witty, interesting and entertaining. Hardly tweets at all, but great when he does. Sample: "There's so much gin and so little time!"
Eva Wiseman@evawiseman
We bonded over our love for Jewish food. Her tweets are bloody funny and I love reading the banter between Eva, India Knight and Caitlin Moran.
India Knight@indiaknight
Author and serial tweeter. I've loved her work since I was a teenager. She's also a big foodie and has an amazing, creative eye. She's an all-round good egg.
Mariella Frostrup
@mariellaf1Broadcaster1,3969920,576Voula@voulagrand
Because she bid for me to follow her on Twitrelief and now she's a Tweetbuddy.
Emma Freud@emmafreud
For everything from latest telly to funniest jokes, breaking gossip to best kids' toys. I swear she maintains an intravenous Twitter feed.
Vital Voices@vitalvoices
Brilliant organisation that sends links to news stories about women's issues from every corner of the globe. You'll never say we live in an equal world if you follow it for a day.
Mark Kermode
@kermodemovieFilm Critic1,39911566,503Neil Brand@neilkbrand
Refreshing evidence that silent film is alive and well in the 21st century from the splendidly inspiring cinema accompanist/composer.
British Board of Film Classification@bbfc
Daily missives from our once-draconian censors as part of their ongoing mission to become admirably accountable.
Kim Newman@annodracula
For the stream of Movie Dungeon quotes which remind you how much fun terrible movies can be if you don't actually have to watch them yourself.
Joan Collins
@joancollinsobeActor2,3329165,570Tara Newley@taranewley
Topical, funny, and tweets about everything from making jam to coping with teenagersÂ… And she's my daughter!
Michael Moore@mmflint
Outrageously left-wing comments which are often on the nose. Plus I love his documentaries.
The Daily Beast@thedailybeast
For all the news and gossip that's fit to tweet. Plus hot off-the-press items.
Professor Green
@professorgreenMusician34,6771,104838,739Lewis Richards@biggestlew
One of my oldest, and definitely my tallest, friends. Quite often raves to DnB looking like a Scouse dealer circa 1990.
Dream McLean@dreammclean
A great rapper, a good friend and a bad Travie McCoy look-alike.
Charlotte De Carle@charldecarle
Basically me with tits, albeit not very big ones. I can say that because she spends most of her time on Twitter insulting me.
Lucy Siegle
@lucysiegleEthical Writer1,9691,1764,459Stuart Heritage@stuheritage
Funny, self-deprecating, and doesn't just link to his own writing.
Big Jim McDonald@bigjim_mcdonald
An entirely irritating presence, talking in Norn' Irish clichés and ridiculously prone to saying: "So it is, so it is." On Twitter he is magnificent.
Benjamin Ranyard@higgledygarden
I love the practical information this gives. I'm a novice gardener-grower and this is my Twitter support.
Mark Ronson
@iammarkronsonProducer1,794102353,711Humblebrag@humblebrag
The internet has birthed a conversational style where people want to tell you how amazing they are yet seem as if it's a reluctant accident.
Owen Pallet@owenpallet
Super-dry, genius composer/ arranger/artist.
Jordan Rubin@jordamrubin
A great stand-up and writer. Twitter's 140-character rule really plays to his strengths – and he absolutely kills it 97% of the time.
On digital: David Rowan
@irowanEditor of Wired1,65934910,687Maria Popova@brainpicker
An eclectic and compelling stream of curated links to Â"interestingnessÂ".
Ed Yong@edyong209
Witty tweets on all things scientific.
Indy Johar@indy_johar
Social entrepreneur whose retweets give you a rich insight into changemakers who matter.
Nick Bilton@nickbilton
Savvy, thoughtful tweets on emerging tech and media trends.
Shervin Pishevar@shervin
Investor, activist and Silicon Valley connector whose tweets give an insight into Valley thinking.
John Brockman@edge
Literary superagent who represents pretty much all of todayÂ's big brains.
On finance: Robert Peston
@pestonBBC Business editor4,528332140,391Linda Yueh@lindayueh
Super fast, super reliable, and insightful for important data.
Tim Harford@timharford
Sideways glance.
John Gapper@johngapper
US, banks, governance, media. Old and grumpy like me.
Faisal Islam@faisalislam
Creative and funny.
Zero Hedge@zerohedge
Unpleasant and patronising, but essential reading.
Rory Cellan-Jones@ruskin147
Technology for oldies such as myself.
On law: Matthew Ryder
@rydermcQC413245567UK Supreme Court@uksupremecourt
ItÂ's worth following the big organisations. Also try: @JudiciaryUK is a great resource for actual transcripts of breaking judgments; @libertyhq; @cpsuk; @JUSTICEhq and @IntlCrimCourt.
Guardian Law@gdnlaw
Always up to date on the latest legal developments, not just from the courts, but from politics and news, too.
UKSCblog.com@ukscblogcom
The leading blog on the UK Supreme Court gives tweets and links to great blogposts from top practitioners.
Adam Wagner@adamwagner1
Barrister and prolific tweeter and blogger on all issues connected with human rights.
Simon McKay@simonmckay
Leading solicitor from Leeds with speciality in police and surveillance law. Usually first to tweet on that area.
David Allen Green@jackofkent
Lawyer and journalist David Allen Green, who pulls no punches when tweeting on legal issues.
On science: Ed Sykes
@edmsykesScience Media Centre4980209Edzard Ernst@edzardernst
Professor of complementary medicine and the scourge of homeopathy.
Simon Singh@slsingh
Makes maths appealing to the masses.
David Spiegelhalter@undunc
Stats genius who turns scare stories to ones of mild peril.
Dorothy Bishop@deevybee
Stands up for rational thinking.
Mark Henderson@markgfh
If itÂ's happening in science, he knows about it.
Ed Yong@edyong209
Twitter giant who covers everything.
On ideas: Martha Lane Fox
@marthalanefoxUK digital champion8,0731,15430,802Sarah Brown@sarahbrownuk
I showed Sarah how to use Twitter, but she has now made it her own.
Brent Hoberman@brenthoberman
One of smartest people I have ever met about tech, always on the cutting edge of the start-up world.
Livity@livityuk
Social enterprise co-creating products and services with young people. Follow them to feel young again.
Alice Taylor@wonderlandblog
A smart woman building an exciting Â"future smashing toy companyÂ" – follow her to understand games.
Guy Kawasaki@guykawasaki
Ex Apple-tech evangelist and all-round digital guru – the guy always has interesting, unusual things to say.
Bob Kerslake@sirbobkerslake
Head of the civil service. Indication of the opening up of the UK government.
• This article was amended on 8 May 2012 to correct the spelling of Jane Bruton's name. The original also listed Sofia Castillo in the item on Emma Freud. This has been corrected.
