Twitter - what is it good for?
I've read the introduction to Twitter, and had a think as to whether it would be useful to me, but I can't see it.
I can see how, for some people it might be useful to have RSS-style updates to their phone, for journalists and the like, but for "normal" people? The website says:
Why? Because even basic updates are meaningful to family members, friends, or colleagues-especially when they’re timely.Eating soup? Research shows that moms want to know.Running late to a meeting? Your co-workers might find that useful.Partying? Your friends may want to join you.These are all well-and-good, but does your mother want to know where you are partying, or whether you are late for work? Do your colleagues want to know that you are eating soup? How is being late reconciled against spending time writing that you're late, rather than phoning a colleague that you'll be with, while you're on the move to said meeting?
Additionally, what would be so urgent that I would need to tell people about it instantly (rather than blogging here, for example), but not urgent-enough to phone / IM people about it?
Also ...
"Twitter puts you in control and becomes a modern antidote to information overload."
I don't understand this statement. You're adding microblogging to your connected profile, knowing all the minutiae of your contacts' lives, and it's an ANTIDOTE to information overload?
Please, someone convince me that it's something I need to do, and tell me how it'll be good for me.
I can see how, for some people it might be useful to have RSS-style updates to their phone, for journalists and the like, but for "normal" people? The website says:
Why? Because even basic updates are meaningful to family members, friends, or colleagues-especially when they’re timely.Eating soup? Research shows that moms want to know.Running late to a meeting? Your co-workers might find that useful.Partying? Your friends may want to join you.These are all well-and-good, but does your mother want to know where you are partying, or whether you are late for work? Do your colleagues want to know that you are eating soup? How is being late reconciled against spending time writing that you're late, rather than phoning a colleague that you'll be with, while you're on the move to said meeting?
Additionally, what would be so urgent that I would need to tell people about it instantly (rather than blogging here, for example), but not urgent-enough to phone / IM people about it?
Also ...
"Twitter puts you in control and becomes a modern antidote to information overload."
I don't understand this statement. You're adding microblogging to your connected profile, knowing all the minutiae of your contacts' lives, and it's an ANTIDOTE to information overload?
Please, someone convince me that it's something I need to do, and tell me how it'll be good for me.