Wrapping up about Twitter

Since the use of Twitter was a major compontent (took up the most time) for this assignment, I've decided to reflect back and wrap up my experiences about it.


I have logged in every few days, only to be flooded (i hate that) with status updates or 'tweets' which are in my opinion mostly garbage! It's supposed to be "what are you doing?" but the stuff that gets put up there are totally unrelated and uninteresting. I even added a beach background to try and spruce up my profile and make using Twitter more exciting for me. It didn't help that much though!

I have enjoyed following certain famous people and seeing what they're up to in their showbiz lifestyles. Can't say the same for the IKM people I have followed though. Most of their tweets use up the maximum amount of characters allowed and appear as big blobs on the screen!

I came across an article today which states that Facebook (which I very much prefer) helps cognitively, whereas Twitter does the opposite. Here's what the article mentions:

"It hones the ability to remember information and to use it, known as "working memory.""
"...text messaging, microblogging on Twitter and watching YouTube were likely to weaken "working memory."

"On Twitter you receive an endless stream of information, but it's also very succinct... you don't have to process that information. You're attention span is being reduced and you're not engaging your brain and improving your nerve connections."

-Dr Tracy Alloway, University of Stirling

I think these are enough reasons and signs that I've been getting that point to my conclusion that Twitter is not all that good, unless you're interested in following particular people in a particular field to know what's going on in their minds.

Twitter just got me thinking....

It's the mid-semester break and I'm thinking about Twitter! I just realised that people can be followed without being accepted or having to confirm that you know each other like in other Social Networking websites. This is a unique feature of Twitter because being able to connect with others so easily (whoever you like who's a member), allows you to be exposed to all the possibilities and opportunities out there in a different way to help yourself in some way. If you're purpose/interest is to keep up with the latest celebrity gossip, you can do it on Twitter. If you're looking for a job in a particular field, or events, you'd be following the people "in the know" as Nancy in my group put's it - which can be like a form of pooling of information. A connection of minds, and spreading the word in an efficient way!

This is how I think all people can benefit from the use of Twitter (if only more people would join up and use it frequently!) This is what makes Twitter a more 'informative' means of communicating through its microblogging, as apposed to Facebook for example which has more interactive and social entertainment aspects to it through open commenting, applications and games.