So I’m on the B75 bus this morning, because that’s just the kind of elitist I am, and this very hefty gentleman (n.b., I am aware that by referring to someone as “very hefty” I am possibly cruising for some serious pot-calling-kettle action, but trust me, the man made me look like Nick Cave) folds up his Daily News, turns to me (I’m playing poker on my Blackberry) and says, without so much as an “excuse me,” “Do you know what Twitter is?”
“No, sorry, I don’t.”
“It’s this new thing on the internet,” he says, by way of explanation.
“No, I don’t know anything about it.”
“I have to find out what it is.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help you. Oh, here’s my stop.”
It’s like the internet is all the kids can talk about these days. Last week, on the same bus, a guy was on his cell explaining to someone about how (and this is verbatim) “N***as can get guns on the internet.” He seemed mildly enthusiastic about this prospect, but demurred on reflecting that the whole thing “might be some kind of set-up by the feds.”
Before I was even on Twitter, I never would think of saying out loud, “I have to find out what that Twitter thing is all about”, as if it is the final piece to world domination I’ve been seeking. Twitter, Facebook and MySpace didn’t exist 5 years ago. What are the chances they will exist 5 years from now?
I do find it funny that the second guy you mention is looking for newer and hipper ways to buy guns rather than patronize his local illegal gun dealer.
Well, at least people found a more legitimate use for Twitter this past month, with those in the midst of the Iran election getting out the word, instantly, about how f***ed up it all was, minus the major network news filters.
Twitter’s basically just brief comments about what’s happening in whomoever’s universe (be it a celebrity, a politician, or just a regular bloke in Iran), Glenn, and I believe the reason it’s become so popular is because it’s got an interface that’s easy to use if you’ve got a cell phone/Blackberry Internet connection. Quick comments, regular updates.
Facebook’s pretty useful is you want to do some quick Instant Messaging with a friend or acquaintance, but I’ve never put any pictures of myself or my family members online. It blows my mind how many folks are so willing to post pics of their toddlers in an online scrapbook.