Have you come across the Twitter account @tweenhobo? If not, get ready to laugh — and learn. As the littlest hobo's Twitter bio suggests — "I'm only twelve, but I'm a hard twelve." — there's much to be gleaned from her about tween life, hobo life and yes, digital life.
Mashable spoke with Tween Hobo's "babysitter," Brooklyn-based playwright Alena Smith, about the character's quirky personality. According to Smith, the Twitter account isn't just something to laugh at — it's something to make people think deeper.
"I think part of the reason the joke lands so much is because there's something incredibly profound going on in our culture. The last 10 years, with technological development, the internet has changed our culture so much," Smith says.
Since the character appeared in December 2011, she's tweeted about everything one might imagine would preoccupy a tween hobo: weight anxieties, crushes, ambitions for the future and fellow hobos that she's met since she ran away from home.
Her best friends, Stumptown Jim and Tin Cap Earl, can't relate to her infatuation with Justin Beiber — but give her insight into cultural icons she would otherwise know nothing about, such as James Van Der Beek and Pearl Jam.
Of course, when she hears these names, Tween Hobo does what anyone of her age would do: she looks them up on YouTube.
Though Tween Hobo speaks fondly about traversing the railroads and "leaving it all behind," she's hooked on technology. She's prone to checking in to "the edge of the road" on Foursquare and has live-tweeted thunderstorms with her "stick phone."
In this way, Smith says, she's an avatar for digital culture and the way people interact with it. "She sort of only exists in technology, so it's a meta joke," Smith says.
In addition, Smith says, the "hobo culture" of going from place to place and meeting random strangers is a metaphor for how people are interacting online — tweeting at someone you've never met in person, for example, or being able to see a stranger's Instagram photos.
On the internet, "we're all drifters and having random encounters," Smith says. "But of course, the joke of the whole thing is that you can never be off the grid now. There's sort of a nostalgia for this time of dropping out of society, and I don't think that's possible anymore."
With Smith's help, Mashable grabbed an interview with the nomadic Tween Hobo. Here's what she had to say:
Q&A With Tween Hobo
So, you say you left home because your au pair revoked your Facebook privileges? What's the real story behind that?
I'd rather not go into detail, but let's just say it involved me hacking into her Gchat history and doing a little of the old one-two cut-and-paste.
Got any brothers and sisters, Tween Hobo? You miss them?
As a sister of the road I consider all lonely travelers my brothers. I also made up a big sister on The Sims, but ever since our virtual dad got fired she's been lying face-down in the pool.
Ever planning on going back home?
Maybe when I'm in my 30s, if I don't have a job by then.
You still in touch with that au pair of yours? What's up with her always Skyping with her boyfriend in Holland?
I could tell you, if only I knew the Dutch word for "inappropriate."
So from your tweets, I see you're preparing for you bat mitzvah. When is it? And what kind of bash is it going to be?
If I have my way it'll be held in a sacred clearing on a woodsy mountainside in the Pacific Northwest, and the only people there will be me, my rabbi and a sexy vampire who knows how to do the chicken dance.
Are you seeing anybody right now? I know Hot Johnny Two-Cakes didn't text you back that one time, but I was just wondering …
I'm not really old enough for serious dating, but I'm in a situation I'd call "hobos-with-benefits."
So, what's really going on with you and Taylor Swift? Is that admiration or jealousy?
Taylor Swift is perfect cuz she knows she has her flaws! I'm perfect too even though I set a barn on fire.
What do you think about people biting your style, like Lisa Bonet, Taylor Swift, Mary-Kate … you got something you want to say to them?
Keep up the good work, ladies — 2012 is ALL about layering.
Do you feel like hobo life is pulling you away from other things you want to do?
Yeah, I really miss doing my math homework… ROTFLOL just kidding!!!!
If you ever do meet Justin Beiber, what are you going to say to him?
Huh? Sorry — I just blacked out for a second cuz I got too psyched. What was the question?
So Tween Hobo, which social network do you like best? Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare? I'm sure you're not ready for LinkedIn yet…or are you?
Well, shucks, I s'pose not yet — but on the other hand, I sure am looking for a job in these hard times!
Picture courtesy of Tween Hobo's Twitter Profile.
BONUS: Tween Hobo Tweet Selection
Not many people can update a blog in the middle of the woods, but Tween Hobo can.
She's interested in experimenting with Twitter, such as live-tweeting a big event.
Here's her verification of a big thunderstorm.
Even though the thunderstorm sounds big, she's committed to live-tweeting the event.
And of course, when she's done live-tweeting, she relishes in the simple life.
Like many people, Tween Hobo likes to keep track of where she goes on Foursquare.
Tween Hobo recognizes her peers and is not afraid to show support for them.
Tween Hobo sees parallels between hobo life and pop culture.
Throwing rocks at telephone wires may not be your everyday activity -- unless you're playing Tween Hobo's version of Angry Birds.
While everyone was thinking about the "best picture" at the Oscars, Tween Hobo was thinking about another best picture.
Her love for Justin Bieber can't be matched.
Just like many tweens, Tween Hobo gets jealous of the adventures her friends have and post about on Facebook.
After a while, dangerous knifefights just become tiring for Tween Hobo.
Tween Hobo loves the independence she has while living by the wayside.
Like many people on social networking sites, Tween Hobo is not afraid to crowd-source for opinions.
And like others, she finds that crowd-sourcing is not for everybody.
After frustrations with her phone, Tween Hobo admits that it's just a "piece of stick."
As a self-righteous tween, Tween Hobo is not afraid to let on that she doesn't know too much about cultural figures from the late '80s.
Not many people can update a blog in the middle of the woods, but Tween Hobo can.
She's interested in experimenting with Twitter, such as live-tweeting a big event.
Here's her verification of a big thunderstorm.
Even though the thunderstorm sounds big, she's committed to live-tweeting the event.
And of course, when she's done live-tweeting, she relishes in the simple life.
Like many people, Tween Hobo likes to keep track of where she goes on Foursquare.
Tween Hobo recognizes her peers and is not afraid to show support for them.
Tween Hobo sees parallels between hobo life and pop culture.
Throwing rocks at telephone wires may not be your everyday activity -- unless you're playing Tween Hobo's version of Angry Birds.
While everyone was thinking about the "best picture" at the Oscars, Tween Hobo was thinking about another best picture.
Her love for Justin Bieber can't be matched.
Just like many tweens, Tween Hobo gets jealous of the adventures her friends have and post about on Facebook.
After a while, dangerous knifefights just become tiring for Tween Hobo.
Tween Hobo loves the independence she has while living by the wayside.
Like many people on social networking sites, Tween Hobo is not afraid to crowd-source for opinions.
And like others, she finds that crowd-sourcing is not for everybody.
After frustrations with her phone, Tween Hobo admits that it's just a "piece of stick."
As a self-righteous tween, Tween Hobo is not afraid to let on that she doesn't know too much about cultural figures from the late '80s.
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