I don’t hate Twitter. There, I said it. Since its inception in 2006, not once did I check it out or even have the desire to understand what it was all about. And when I set up my account the other night, I assumed I would still think it was a silly medium for celebrities to dish on their love lives and for Joe Anyman to tell the world what he had for breakfast.
Image courtesy of bizarrocomic.blogspot.com
Yes, it is still that medium. But it is so much more. I should have recognized that when I heard about citizens in Iran tweeting about the recent presidential election protests. That was an eye-opening experience for me on the potential. How incredible that in a society whose communication is so controlled, citizens can reach the outside world in minutes through this fairly simple technology. And yet, I still didn’t want to accept the possibilites, because I pride myself on staying off the bandwagon.
A few days ago I heard about how Hugh Hefner’s fiance dumped him right before the wedding. I actually heard the news on a local radio station, which was reporting how he had tweeted it. So I then went online to check out the full news stories that were circulating. What a beautiful convergence of mediums. And yeah, I just publicly admitted that I care about Hef’s world.
I’m still wading in the shallow end of the Twitter pool, but already I appreciate the succinctness mandated by the 140-character limit. As a print journalist bonded with the inverted pyramid writing style, I like getting straight to the point and cutting fluff as needed. I’m a women of few words, which is probably why blogging has been such a challenge for me so far. But Twitter, I dig. You can get the down and dirty news and chose from there what you’d like to read more about.
This is the second blog I have read and both of you rejected Twitter initially. I did too until I had to sign up for a Twitter account regarding my healthcare blog. All of a sudden I am able to access so many other accounts dealing with babyboomer healthcare. I have never looked at Twitter as a socializing tool or celebrity check up tool so I really don’t know about it but as a news and information tool, I have found it to be an excellent source to “connect” me with others dealing with the issues I currently am. And, I agreed with it 140 word restriction. That’s what I like most. The info on Twitter is concise and doesn’t waste my time. I appreciate your honesty.
This is an cleverly written post and I digs your cartoon! “Twit on My Face” … Ahhhhhh ha ha ha ha
Jessica,
You should get on the paid opinion staff at the Rebel Yell, they pay by the word. It’s a great opportunity to write the most drawn out, convoluted ideas and then brag to your friends about how you’re a published writer. At least, that’s what I do.
Twitter is the quick, down and dirty way to collect and view the info you want. It’s up the content creators to make it as respectable a medium as possible.
Reid
Great post! I like how you used your perspective on Twitter. At first, I didn’t really see how important it really was until recently. Now I do. I love your post!