I’ve finally come across someone who at least questions one of the emergent Web 2.0 phenomenons. Lifehacker writes the first post I’ve read which criticizes the new fad-of-the-moment Twitter for the timewaster that it is. I don’t see much point in posting micro-posts about what I’m doing at any given moment. If I wanted to do that I’d have an always-on connection to MSN or AIM through my mobile: I don’t see a need for another blogging application. One’s enough for the moment.
Senor writer Elinor Mills says Twitter’s just a bunch of “stream-of-conscious babblings” for friends and people who have time to “read inane musings of strangers.” Staff writer Caroline McCarthy says Twitter’s randomness is a “welcome diversion.” Coincidentally, the Lifehacker editors had quite the internal debate about whether or not Twitter is a post-worthy app, and while there was a difference of opinion about Twitter’s longevity, we all agreed it is never going to boost productivity.
So the world can know exactly which stall you’re occupying in the men’s room and how many splashes there’ve been so far?
Funny that you’ve only come across one article criticizing Twitter. There’s plenty of them out there!
As for what the point is? I don’t know what others would answer but for me, it has no point other than it amuses me. Just like blogging amuses me. That’s all the purpose I require of anything that I find online.
@Patricia: I’m sure loads of people agree with me here, I just haven’t really been keeping up to date on general views of Twitter. Honestly, I’ve been kind of avoiding any article that talks about it! If I see the logo or name in the title I’ve seemingly let out a mental groan and skipped to the next article. I don’t doubt it could be amusing, I just don’t think my offhand thoughts are all that interesting. And the best blogs seem to be those that don’t post offhand thoughts either, so why encourage it? I can see that it might be kind of fun as a sidebar type thing (as in how you’ve implemented it) but at the moment, I just don’t have the energy for that.
@Marshall: EW!
But why not encourage it? Who does it hurt? I know there’s the general angst about the number of inane blogs out there and that people should actually have a point when writing but I can’t get into all of that. But then, as someone who has an inanne blog with no point whatsoever, of course I’m going to hold such opinions.
Oh yeah, I’m not saying anyone should get rid of it, I just haven’t got enough attention in my brain to want to do it myself, or to subscribe to a feed of it. I like people’s edited lives! lol