What’s the Point of Twitter?

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
by steveb

Before I began taking Creative Writing for the third trimester, I had never heard of “Twitter.” Now that I have been introduced to the new phenomenon, I see it more and more in news, on the Internet, and also in real life. Maybe I just never noticed it before, but even so, it’s growing as a new social network on the Internet.

So what’s so great about simply writing roughly 10 words about what you’re doing? I don’t really know, and if it weren’t for this English class I most likely would never do it. I’m not bringing Twitter down, but to me, I don’t seethe point in telling other people what you’re doing, yet, twitter has already taken of in the social-networking world, currently holding the third largest network behind Facebook and MySpace often. For example, in the Telegram and Gazette, Worcester County’. 4-5 million people tweet daily and log onto read other people’s tweets. Now that I know what it is, I see it more and more.  For example, in the newspaper there are advertisements for readers to follow stories and articles online and follow the Telegram on Facebook and Twitter. I can see how page could be useful to write reactions and comments about a story,but how do people do that on twitter? With only 140 characters, it’s hard a strong opinion about anything. Another time I heard about twitter was on ESPN (believe it or not), when NBA player Charlie Villanueva was caught tweeting on his cellphone during halftime. When asked about it, his coach said “We made a point to Charlie and the team that it’s nothing we ever want to,” You know, (we) don’t want to blow it out of proportion. But anything that gives the impression that we’re not serious and focused at is not the correct way we want to go about our business.” The actual tweet wasn’t anything negative, it simply said, “In da locker room, snuck to post my tweet. We’re playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up.” Another time I heard about twitter was on the Today Show, when the hosts were talking about the website in general, and how it has grown to one of the most popular social networks around the entire globe. People all around the world are learning about this new idea,this new thing to do on the Internet, and it seems very important to some (just ask Villanueva)

What Twitter provides is a “SMS for the Internet,” in which people send small text messages to other desktops and Internet-based applications.These “tweets” are posted on your page and who ever else’s who requests you. You can also send direct messages to certain websites, blog sites,and other social networks that post a group’s tweets. Although I haven’t of these yet, there is a function that you can use to send direct messages to only one person. Because of the simplicity, easy-access, and quick information, its popularity has sky-rocketed beginning in 2007. However, because the profits gained form twitter is relatively low compared to other social networking sites, its long-term future has often been questioned. Maybe it’s because I’m a new user, but I do not share the fascination others have for twitter…at least not yet.

Photo Credit: mfilej

Photo Credit: somefool

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