You write: “is a massive collection of private conversations being held in public” which is understood.

A conversation in my understanding of the word means listen or read communication – understand and then respond to the message received.

I have see small evidence of this happening – conversations

This would seems to me be a function of the volume of traffic – if it is not how is it done with the sheer volume of tweets and that is for someone who has limited followers.

I would further your point…”If you want people to be interested in you, you need to give them a reason.” If you want people to be interested in you, your organization, your cause or your campaign, you need to be interested in THEM! You don’t show up to a party where you don’t like or care about anyone else there and then get mad when no one wants to try your dessert, even if it is a revolution in the culinary industry. The same on Twitter (and really anywhere online). A network, a community, a public forum, it only works and conversations only build then you care as much as those you want to reach.

Thanks for starting the conversation here!