Just so you are aware that title could technically be a tweet. Which if you are unaware of the phenomenon that is Twitter, a tweet is a mini-blog posted on this free social networking site for people who like to report every minute of their activities every day. Of course, it’s not just a place for Joe to let Fred know where he is going for coffee, this tool has the capacity to share business advice, philosophize, and even possibly save lives. Many people view it as an SMS service for the internet, like texting but online…so kind of like Instant Messaging chat, no? The creators of Tweeter would argue with this I’m sure.
This program, begun by Biz Stone and Evan Williams, since it’s inception in 2006 has already gained international usage and popularity in over 170 countries. That’s saying something for a small private startup website located in San Francisco that started as a side project for the two creators. Being under 40 and having a Multi-million dollar business on your hands (not all that money is in the creator’s pockets, nonetheless…) is not exactly a new thing, but when you put into perspective the simple idea that is behind this monster it is quite an accomplishment.
But, back to my original Tweet title. In a recent interview on The Colbert Report, creator Biz Stone had this to say in response to my question, “It’s really the messaging service we didn’t know we needed until we had it.” The implications of this kind of statement are subject to ample ridicule, but what if we cut out all of the criticism and doubt about this new phenomenon and really just looked at a few really outstanding things Twitter has done for the world? And what if I did it in Tweet format? Rhetorical questions obviously, because here they are:
Twitter helped UCB Grad Student James Buck get out of Egyptian Jail
Twitter beats media & gov’t @ giving info 4 emergencies like VAtech shootings & CA wildfires
Twitter used by AmerRedCross 4 updates on disasters like fires
Twitter helps aid in response 2 Mumbai attacks
Twitter beats media 2 downed US Airways Flight 1549. Media Not 
And this is just to name a few things Twitter does right in the world. Of course, once a new technological tool does gain social acceptance, especially in this day and age, it is just in time to see that utility be passed up by a more advanced and newer technology. But how much more advanced can we get with Twitter? Here is one idea:
Whatever direction we do move in with this new social networking phenomenon, one thing is for certain, it doesn’t matter if the need was there for the Twitter or not, it’s there now. This means we have to rethink and try and analyze how this communication tool helps and hurts us as social creatures. Once we figure that out, we harness the things that help and move forward with those.
