Twitter for those who still don't get it
I've blogged about Twitter before, and usually wouldn't go on about it. But two observations this week:
- The only people who keep talking about how they "don't get Twitter" or "don't see the value in it" are those whom haven't used it.
- A cool presentation from Josh Holmes' blog explaining some of the benefits of Twitter
To the first observation:
An analogue in a previous life is an experience about those who "don't get scuba diving" Essentially, your body has told you you cannot breathe underwater for your entire life. Until you actually go underwater and breathe freely without limitation, you will experience any number of difficulties, fears, and inhibitions. But when you do, new possibilities are opened up, new vistas, and amazing new experiences.
Until you have experienced the freedom, and overcome your fear, you cannot conceive of the things you'll enjoy.
Twitter is like that.
For your entire life your mind has told you that you can't be in constant contact with people whom are separated by time and distance. In recent years, mobile phones, email, and even blogs have changed that. But still these are crude methods, that tend to connect with rational/logical thoughts. Yes, you can send an SMS to someone you're close to, but even then that's only with one person, and only infrequently, or in response to a conversation.
Well Twitter allows for a more emotional connection, frequently, to as many people as you wish to follow. Simply, it adds an emotional depth to your connections that wasn't possible before. But like diving, until you get into the pool, stick the reg in your mouth, and put your head underwater, you cannot understand the possibilities that will be enabled.
To the second observation - thanks Josh:
Like diving, if you don't want to try it, that's OK! But don't tell me what a waste of time it is, or you can't understand why people would try something so frivolous, until you've experienced it for yourself.
R42
