By now nearly everyone knows the story of the Ashton Kutcher vs. CNN Twitter challenge to be the first to amass a million followers. But I’m trying to stay a step ahead of the game, so I have some ideas on what Kutcher should do next.

Both CNN and Kutcher agreed to donate 10000 mosquito bed nets for World Malaria Day. I have never purchased mosquito bed nets, but I imagine in that quantity they are a few dollars each, and while I can’t afford to make that kind of donation right now (see below for what I’ve agreed to do), it’s nothing in the context of the media budgets for either party.

Kutcher has quickly understood and taken advantage of the power of Twitter, remarking, “I found it astonishing that one person can actually have as big of a voice online as what an entire media company can on Twitter.”

Arguably, though, neither CNN nor Kutcher “get” Twitter in the classic sense. Even Kutcher’s notion of a “big voice” is very telling. Where are the “big ears?” with which to listen? As I write this, CNN is following six people and Kutcher is following 80. If you’re OK with a one-way feed from a celebrity or a news organization, this is not a problem. But if you’re a fan expecting a conversation, forget it. Unfortunately, this dialogue is a harbinger of what Twitter will soon become: a Web 2.0 shopping mall and Cineplex with 12 million reluctant “customers” wandering about, seemingly stunned, unable to find the Conversation Hut on the mall directory. But I digress.

Is Kutcher’s drive to amass a million followers from a sense of obligation or altruism, or is it merely a way to create a huge distribution network through which Kutcher can promote himself and his Blahgirls venture?

If it’s the latter, then Kutcher has, as many headline writers have already suggested, Punk’d Twitter. He has out-scammed all the 10,000-followers-in-10-minutes scammers who have been reduced to small change in the world of @aplusk and @CNNbrk.

If on the other hand Kutcher’s intentions are pure, and he hasn’t simply manipulated the Twitterati for his own personal gain, then I know exactly what he should do next. He should transfer his account to the charity of his choice. It’s easy enough. Find a charity like Roll Back Malaria (sponsors of World Malaria Day), Amnesty International, or Habitat for Humanity. Tell followers what you are doing and why to give the charity a head start, change the avatar, and account name.

And I should do my part, so if you unfollow me on Twitter, I’ll gladly donate a dime to any of the charities above. Just leave a comment below indicating you’ve unfollowed me and I’ll make the donation June 1. Or just click the World Malaria Day banner on my sidebar and make a direct donation.

Tags: Roll Back Malaria, World Malaria Day, Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity, CNN, Ashton Kutcher, Punk’d, Twitter