This week I read an article about Twitter from the New York times back in January. This article, Why Twitter Will Endure, spoke about the lasting power that Twitter has It's not the mindless social networking site that people assumed it was after it's 2007 launch. The author writes about how useful Twitter can be and the way it's changed his daily routine. He no longer surfs the web, checks his RSS feed or scans news sites because he can find the latest headlines that are relevant to him all in a few minutes.
When Twitter was launched no one thought that a short burst of text would be satisfying to anyone, who cares that you're watching TV or taking out the trash. Being a Twitter user I could care less about the mindless tasks people do throughout the day so I don't follow people who post that way. You can modify who you follow so you're getting the most relevant and interesting tweets as possible. I follow people and companies that I'm interested in and 9 times out of 10 their posts are something I want to read. Companies are getting loads of marketing through twitter with giveaways and discounts to followers, as well as a fair amount of feedback from other tweeters. It's a win win situation for the follower and the user.
Being a tweeter I agree with the NYT assessment of Twitter: it will be around for a while. Once people figure out how to use Twitter to benefit themselves then they are hooked. I no longer mindlessly surf the web, I go on Twitter and check out the websites other people are posting, because chances are it will interest me as well. I've chosen who is in my online community and can kick people out if I want too. Twitter has the staying power to be a great social network.
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