Since its creation by software programmer Jack Dorsey in 2006, Twitter has caught fire. As of April 29, 2009 it had 20 million worldwide users, called “tweeters”. In comparison, relative “old-timers” Facebook and Orkut had fewer than 15 million users worldwide.[1] Users post information (tweet) on their user page in brief 140 character or less messages (microblogs), and “followers” subscribe to the online tweets which are sent to their cell phones, PDA’s and computers. The name “twitter’ was adopted because it literally means “short bursts of inconsequential information” and Dorsey wanted to be able to SMS any device not just phones, and also to be able to tweet from anywhere.[2] In fact, it has been called the “SMS of the internet” and had its roots in emergency dispatch, where firemen and policemen can get up-to-date information in crises.[3]1 It is not strictly a social networking site, as the communication is usually one-way and the transmission is to many followers generally with no personal relationship with the user/tweeter.
Twitters appeal appears at first superficial and narcissistic and people use it to microblog about themselves. Even the founding document of the company, which is a sketch of the original idea in 2000, lists relatively inconsequential activities such as “in bed” or “going to park”.2 Rapid uptake by celebrities catalyzed huge groups of followers on twitter, who wanted to know their favorite celebrities every move.
Criticism of Twitter has included its potential inaccuracy, however inaccurate information is also sent via email (spam) or SMS (spam). One difference with Twitter is that you at least know who is sending you the information. Although your response to the inaccurate reporter will likely be ignored, you can tweet the fact that a given reporter is spreading falsehoods. It is testimony to the success of Twitter that very little change to the platform’s feature set has been made since 2006, except for the addition of search.3 The search feature also enables you to check on the accuracy or inaccuracy of information. A simple real-time search on “Swine Flu” or “#swineflu” on twitter.com will reveal results such as “time for people to stop eating pigs!”; and “This pigflu thing seems quite bad, you might even call it a hamdemic”.1 However, you can go to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to get accurate information at http://twitter.com/cdcemergency.
Interestingly, the early uptake of Twitter was motivated by self-interest and self-expression, and the high drop-out rate of 40% per year may reflect that the followers grow weary of their celebrities’ rants. However, although the software has not changed, the platform has certainly grown to be used in many other productive ways. For example, (and true to Jack Dorsey’s insight into emergency dispatch) the American Red Cross uses Twitter to keep its staff and volunteers up to the minute on unfolding crises. In the San Diego wildfires, people were able to update their friends and neighbors more quickly than TV or radio. President Obama used Twitter to broadcast his positions and comments on current events and issues. In China, students are taught English by asking them to Twitter messages on certain topics. Manufacturers use Twitter not only to advertise but to put out useful information such as rebates or warranty information to their customers. Like Wikipedia, news may be obtained more quickly on Twitter than on conventional news sites. And because of the search feature, facts can be checked relatively easily.
What began as a short burst of inconsequential information, has evolved into a useful platform for getting very fresh information to followers with specific interests and needs.
[1] D’Monte L. Swine flu’s tweet tweet causes online flutter. Business Standard. April 29, 2009. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/swine-flu%5Cs-tweet-tweet-causes-online-flutter/356604/
[2] Sarno, David. Twitter creator Jack Dorsey illuminate the site’s founding document. Part I. Los Angeles Times. Feb. 18, 2009. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/02/twitter-creator.html
[3] Sarno, David. Jack Dorsey on the Twitter ecosystem, journalism and how to reduce reply spam. Part II. Los Angeles Times. Feb, 19, 2009. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/02/jack-dorsey-on.html
You point out a lot of potential uses. It would be nice to see a further analysis of what makes it suitable or unsuitable for different kinds of contents and environments, and what the problems of "accuracy" mean in those contexts.
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