Mashable’s post about Twitter yesterday says this…
Although this may sound strange at first, Twitter really is more like Wikipedia than, say, Facebook (
). Twitter is not so much about connecting with your friends, it’s about broadcasting information.
What? It is about broadcasting information? Dave Wilkins must have been referencing this post yesterday when we were recording our latest podcast. To me, the “What are you doing?” is lame. Sure, every now and then tweet what you are doing. Fine. But if that is all you do, buh-bye. Give me something useful.
Broadcasting information? That is not how I use it. Most of my usage is around conversations. My tweets….
(Thinking in real time) … Wait a minute. I guess I do – broadcast links, broadcast useful bits of information and appreciate it when others do the same. But I connect at the same time. I have conversations with others and collaborate, not just broadcast info.
Twitter, then, takes characteristics from both. It is to broadcast info, but then at the same time it is used to connect, have conversations and collaborate (like @slqotd is used). So, no, it won’t follow the curve of regular social networks. But if we assume that Twitter is only a broadcast medium (only because it does do that) then we are selling the benefits short.
Thanks for joining me in my journey of thought.
