If you're one of them, Twitter is a micro-blogging Web site where you post little updates within 140 characters. An easy way to visualize Twitter is a Facebook status update ... and only the Facebook status update (here's a link to Facebook in case you have been living underground participating in a social experiment). People are updating, or "tweeting," by the minute on their computers and cell phones. To be honest, I feel a little ridiculous saying, "Hey, I'll shoot you a tweet," but it's what's in these days.
Most people's reaction to Twitter is, "What's the point?" If you're asking the same question there are plenty of videos and blog posts that are supposed to help Twitter noobs answer it. I can't remember the last time a social Web product that people are flocking to without really knowing or understanding what the appeal is. According to a video posted by Twitter, while blogs and e-mails keep friends and family updated on the large events in life, such as child birth, death in the family, a new job (ha!), engagement, marriage, etc., Twitter allows people to learn about the little things, like turkey sandwiches for lunch, articles you're reading, a new recipe you discovered, etc.
Anyway, for journalists, Twitter has become yet another tool to reach apathetic readers with short blurbs of news updates. It has especially proved successful for the Star-Telegram's coverage of Ike.
Twitter has become the new "cool" thing for journalists and the rest of the world. I definitely sense an air of arrogance and elitism associated with people's use of Twitter. Now, journalists are expected to know Twitter, have an active account, and to love it. This is why Twitter is the only thing I have tried to become addicted to. It hasn't worked yet, and I think that makes me a bad journalist. Sometimes, I leave it up at work so that maybe people will think I'm tech savvy. Anyway, if you're interested in observing my slow exploration of twitter, follow me.
The Skiff has recently started tweeting as well.
Anyway, here's Jon Stewart's (The Daily Show) take on tweeting journalists:
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Check out what student journalists in Minnesota did with Twitter for a story about disabled parking.
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