Now, I’m not one for poking a wasp’s nest (been there, done that!) but Lorne Feldman is wrong about Twitter.
His post explaining why people tolerate Twitter’s up-and-down service features wide, sweeping generalizations, highlighted by the fact he believes Twitter users are frustrated bloggers with no readers and no comments, or people who are just bored with life or work.
There are many people who fall into these categories but Loren isn’t looking at Twitter’s potential as an interesting, focused and useful communications tool.
What Loren fails to acknowledge is you can use Twitter in whatever way you want. If, as Loren suggests, you want to write “pablum” you can do that, and there many people who happily do that, although it’s beyond me who would want to actually read the everyday details of your life (e.g. Traffic jam on I-95; Eating a cheeseburger, Hey, it’s sunny outside, etc.)
But Twitter can also be used to receive and consume information; you can use it to keep in touch with friends, peers and colleagues; you can use it as a marketing vehicle; or as a mini-blogging platform.
It’s the multi-dimensional aspect that has drawn people to Twitter despite its ongoing technical woes. I’m not suggesting Twitter is going to go mainstream any time soon or at all but it does deserve a little respect.
Perhaps the most fascinating part of Twitter is people keep sticking around as opposed to trying other services such as Pownce or Jaiku. Maybe it’s like drinking Coca-Cola; once you grow accustomed to the taste, there’s no way you’re going to try Pepsi even if it tastes as good or better.
This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.
Loren, You’re Wrong About Twitter
Now, I’m not one for poking a wasp’s nest (been there, done that!) but Lorne Feldman is wrong about Twitter.
His post explaining why people tolerate Twitter’s up-and-down service features wide, sweeping generalizations, highlighted by the fact he believes Twitter users are frustrated bloggers with no readers and no comments, or people who are just bored with life or work.
There are many people who fall into these categories but Loren isn’t looking at Twitter’s potential as an interesting, focused and useful communications tool.
What Loren fails to acknowledge is you can use Twitter in whatever way you want. If, as Loren suggests, you want to write “pablum” you can do that, and there many people who happily do that, although it’s beyond me who would want to actually read the everyday details of your life (e.g. Traffic jam on I-95; Eating a cheeseburger, Hey, it’s sunny outside, etc.)
But Twitter can also be used to receive and consume information; you can use it to keep in touch with friends, peers and colleagues; you can use it as a marketing vehicle; or as a mini-blogging platform.
It’s the multi-dimensional aspect that has drawn people to Twitter despite its ongoing technical woes. I’m not suggesting Twitter is going to go mainstream any time soon or at all but it does deserve a little respect.
Perhaps the most fascinating part of Twitter is people keep sticking around as opposed to trying other services such as Pownce or Jaiku. Maybe it’s like drinking Coca-Cola; once you grow accustomed to the taste, there’s no way you’re going to try Pepsi even if it tastes as good or better.
Here’s Loren’s video if you’re curious:
Technorati Tags: Twitter