Why Twitter?
At last week's Online Community Unconference: East there was a very interesting discussion on Twitter in the enterprise lead by Aaron Strout. Although I have been critical of Twitter's stability, it is a service that I really do enjoy but had never really put much thought behind "why"
I did some digging around and came up with a set of really good links which I think tell the Twitter story way better than I would.
- Jeremiah Owyang - Some Conversations have shifted to Twitter
Twitter is becoming a major communication tool for me lately. There are more intimate conversations being held on this next-generation chat room, and it’s filled with early adopters and those who are trying to reach them.
- Sonny Gill - Twitter has changed me
As I became more involved in the Twitter community, my ‘inbox’ began to flow with messages, blog posts and links that I would have never seen if it weren’t for Twitter. My knowledge base began to expand with all this new information, as did ideas that I could personally implement into my company’s strategy.
- Civic Actions - Why Twitter Matters
I think one of the most significant contributions Twitter is bringing to the evolution of Connected Consciousness. For the first time in the history of our species, it is possible to massively communicate with massive numbers of human beings about pretty much anything.
Twitter is not for everyone. My wife still gives me that look when I tell her about a great quote or antidote from someone I have never met (and will likely never meet). There will likely be a point in the near future where introducing new users will lead to a diminishing rate of return. But for now, I am very happy with the interactions and knowledge I get from Twitter and I look forward to seeing what else can be done using this medium.
If you are a Twitter user, you can follow me at @scottw
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Comments
Dave on on 2.28.2008 at 2:36 PM
Twitter has changed my online habits. I have left Google Reader for dead (practically). Most of my click stream, other than directed search, is from the Twitter river of news.
My only wish is that it was less centralized, more distributed. It feels like it should be an API you can host in any cloud. Kind of like the distinction of Wordpress and wordpress.com.
Steve on on 2.28.2008 at 2:37 PM
It's nice that you have the option to follow someone who's following you or not.
Another thing I like about twitter is that you don't have to try to get to inbox zero. You usually either take action or don't because it's not important enough. I think things like twitter will start to effect email more in the future.
Darren Neimke on on 2.28.2008 at 2:50 PM
@Dave not sure that I see a reason to Google Reader behind? I mean, it's not like we'll stop blogging our knowledge, opinions, and ideas.
Anyways, there's only so much that you can fit into 120 chars :-)
Scott Watermasysk on on 2.28.2008 at 2:54 PM
@Darren - I think Dave was saying he finds enough content from friends/followers on Twitter and does not need Google Reader as much.
Scott Watermasysk on on 2.28.2008 at 2:57 PM
@Dave - I still dig Google Reader. Next to my inbox, it is probably my biggest vice.
For me, what I find myself doing less is actually blogging. It is so much easier to share a thought or idea on Twitter.
Agreed on the distribution. May we (and they) will get lucky and Google will purchase them even though they already bought Jaiku. :)
Darren Neimke on on 2.28.2008 at 3:15 PM
Re. blogging: I probably need to give Outlook RSS Feeds another look now that I've been re-wired back into Outlook again :-)
Matt Blodgett on on 2.28.2008 at 4:24 PM
I've made so many new and meaningful contacts through Twitter. It's turned into something that I never imagined when I first signed up. I could easily see myself getting my next job through Twitter, for example.
Troy Howard on on 3.06.2008 at 3:11 PM
Interesting article.
Proofreading notes:
You said "... a great quote or antidote ..." but unless you were talking about remedies to combat poisons, I think you meant "... a great quote or anecdote ...".
Thanks,
Troy