The Twitterverse:
the evolution of social networking
Jessica Bourse
Issue date: 6/19/09 Section: Opinion
Compared to other social networking services, such as Facebook and Myspace, Twitter keeps it simple. Tweets are short and to the point. There are no other complex functions, like uploading photos or videos. Twitter lets users update on their phones, the Web or through other applications, making Twitter one of the most accessible services of its time.
In fact, because of its easy access and quick response time, broadcasters have been using Twitter to gather fast reactions from viewers, giving the reporters a better connection with the public.
CNN's Rick Sanchez is an avid Twitter user, sometimes posting up to ten daily updates. Through Twitter, he chats with his followers directly, asks them questions about their thoughts on current events, and even gives the public a glimpse into his personal life. Sanchez has been known to tweet during commercial breaks and then share the viewers' responses live on-air.
It's not just Sanchez - other journalists use it too. In fact, Twitter has become so wide-spread in journalism, young reporters are being taught how to use this social networking service as a tool. During the 2009 Journalism Association of Community Colleges State Convention, a special workshop was presented to teach students about Twitter. From there, students twittered the entire convention.
It is becoming a journalistic tool and an innovative way to report the news - CNN.com sends out real-time headlines and links to their site, giving followers instant news updates on their phones and Web browsers. Twitter also became an important political tool in 2008.
During the presidential election, candidates such as Ron Paul, Hillary Clinton and current-president Barack Obama, utilized social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to connect with the younger voters - and no one did this better than Obama. Utilizing social networks may have helped Obama secure his candidacy, and ultimately, the presidency, because he connected directly with the public.
We have seen the rise and falls of many community-based sites such as Friendster, which is no longer popular in the Western Hemisphere, and Yahoo! 360 (rest in peace), as well as the decline in popularity of Myspace. However, the Twitterverse is expanding and it looks like it's here to stay, for now.
That's Twitter.
In fact, because of its easy access and quick response time, broadcasters have been using Twitter to gather fast reactions from viewers, giving the reporters a better connection with the public.
CNN's Rick Sanchez is an avid Twitter user, sometimes posting up to ten daily updates. Through Twitter, he chats with his followers directly, asks them questions about their thoughts on current events, and even gives the public a glimpse into his personal life. Sanchez has been known to tweet during commercial breaks and then share the viewers' responses live on-air.
It's not just Sanchez - other journalists use it too. In fact, Twitter has become so wide-spread in journalism, young reporters are being taught how to use this social networking service as a tool. During the 2009 Journalism Association of Community Colleges State Convention, a special workshop was presented to teach students about Twitter. From there, students twittered the entire convention.
It is becoming a journalistic tool and an innovative way to report the news - CNN.com sends out real-time headlines and links to their site, giving followers instant news updates on their phones and Web browsers. Twitter also became an important political tool in 2008.
During the presidential election, candidates such as Ron Paul, Hillary Clinton and current-president Barack Obama, utilized social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to connect with the younger voters - and no one did this better than Obama. Utilizing social networks may have helped Obama secure his candidacy, and ultimately, the presidency, because he connected directly with the public.
We have seen the rise and falls of many community-based sites such as Friendster, which is no longer popular in the Western Hemisphere, and Yahoo! 360 (rest in peace), as well as the decline in popularity of Myspace. However, the Twitterverse is expanding and it looks like it's here to stay, for now.
That's Twitter.
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