I’m a wannabe avid sports fanatic, online newspaper editor, sucker for sappy love lyrics, and I am interested in what Channing Tatum had for breakfast. Fortunately, there is a place where I can find all of this information from the instant he drops the waffle in the toaster to the flick of Tim Tebow’s wrist as he throws a complete pass, scoring a touchdown for the Broncos. I mean Jets. #NFL
In March of 2006, Odeo employee Jack Dorsey confronted a group of friends about a new social media concept, inspired by the immediate access of information we receive over text messages. During the collaboration process, they developed the basics of the “news feed” which allows everyone to see a never-ending stream of information that is uploaded immediately by anyone in the world. Four months later “Twttr” was hatched and a revolutionary spark in social media was in the making. By 2012, there would be 127 million active users.
Besides the fact that Twitter is expected to reach 750 million active users by the end of 2012, the bandwagon isn’t what sucked me in. I am truly intrigued by having the ability to tap into different communities pertaining to my unique interests. For example, to get a behind the scenes look or in depth analysis of different sports teams or players on Twitter that I wish to follow, making me one step ahead of the typical fan.
Next, being a journalist involves the 24 hour awareness of what is going on in the world at all times and Twitter is ideal for breaking news. In one scenario, I was first informed of the Colorado Shooting when I woke up one morning and saw the ‘Breaking News’ tweets from @CNN regarding the horrific event. From there, I was able to click the hash tag which linked me to a world of confusion and despair as the world attempted to express their thoughts regarding this tragedy in 140 characters or less.
Therefore, Twitter has ability to unite the correspondents on scene to anyone who is online.
Finally, instead of hanging up posters above my bed wondering if the attractive actor or musician is thinking about me, I now know for sure that he is not. However, I am able to see what he is doing pretty much all the time. Celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Channing Tatum, or the members of one direction are constantly updating fans on what is going on in their lives. This gives me the idea that they are more personable and escalates my hopes that one may even answer a posed question as some have done in the past.
The question, “Is Twitter supreme ruler of the internet?” is a no brainer. Absolutely, there are countless times that Twitter is used for linking the world together and building the understanding of situations when it seems impossible. Twitter can be used to promote businesses, launch polls, gather information, allow me to become ‘acquainted’ with my idols, and share emotional triumphs during times such as the Olympics. Twitter is a constant reminder that we are all linked by the horrifying, glorious, messy lives that we all go through on a daily basis. And that the replacement refs suck. #NFL