Friday, August 03, 2007
Taking the Twitter Challenge...
This month, I have made a commitment to testing Twitter. At my other blog, I am writing a series called "Take the Twitter Challenge". Now, Twitter isn't new, and by now, it may have already jumped the shark.
And I must admit that the recent net buzz about Twitter leaves me befuddled. Why would anyone be interested in reading -- or writing -- sporadic, 140 character missives? And what's the point of making these missives public?
Because that's all Twitter does! You sign up for a free account. You answer one question: "What are you doing right now?". You have to answer in 140 characters or less. Your response is instantly posted online. People decide (or not) to "follow" what you have to say. You decide who you want to "follow".
I'm not kidding. That's about all there is to it. And thousands of people, even campaigning politicians and celebrities, are twittering away. What about you?
As for me, I can't know it until I've tried it. Experience comes before knowledge. So for one month, August 2007, I will emerge myself in the Twitter culture. I will:
I just started my Twitter Journey, and I am amazed to find that I have four followers. I will continue my Journey, and keep interested parties updated in my "Twitter Challenge" series.
If you're an experienced Twitterer and would like to share your insights or follow along with me, please do! I'd love to hear from you.
PS - my friend Ursel points me to the above painting by Paul Klee - the Twittering Machine. At the moment, this painting looks exactly how I feel. Does engaging in Twitter make one a twit?
This month, I have made a commitment to testing Twitter. At my other blog, I am writing a series called "Take the Twitter Challenge". Now, Twitter isn't new, and by now, it may have already jumped the shark.And I must admit that the recent net buzz about Twitter leaves me befuddled. Why would anyone be interested in reading -- or writing -- sporadic, 140 character missives? And what's the point of making these missives public?
Because that's all Twitter does! You sign up for a free account. You answer one question: "What are you doing right now?". You have to answer in 140 characters or less. Your response is instantly posted online. People decide (or not) to "follow" what you have to say. You decide who you want to "follow".
I'm not kidding. That's about all there is to it. And thousands of people, even campaigning politicians and celebrities, are twittering away. What about you?
As for me, I can't know it until I've tried it. Experience comes before knowledge. So for one month, August 2007, I will emerge myself in the Twitter culture. I will:
Explore the PR aspect- is Twitter a viable media channel for quickly and easily letting the public know what you're up to?- Contemplate the metaphysical aspect - will focusing on "what are you doing right now?" put me in the moment and help raise consciousness?
- Consider the artistic aspects - can Twitter give rise to a new, Haiku-like art form of profound simplicity?
- Wonder about educational implications - will the 140 character limit help make me a better, more concise writer?
- Report on my successes and failures - You can follow along -- or take the Twitter challenge yourself.
- "Twitter is on its way to becoming the next killer app." - TIME Magazine
- "It's one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet." - New York Times
- "Suddenly, it seems as though all the world's a-twitter." - Newsweek
I just started my Twitter Journey, and I am amazed to find that I have four followers. I will continue my Journey, and keep interested parties updated in my "Twitter Challenge" series.
If you're an experienced Twitterer and would like to share your insights or follow along with me, please do! I'd love to hear from you.
PS - my friend Ursel points me to the above painting by Paul Klee - the Twittering Machine. At the moment, this painting looks exactly how I feel. Does engaging in Twitter make one a twit?
Labels: Presentation
¶ 8/03/2007 03:06:00 PM
