I Don't Need Twitter's Need to Know Now...

... But that immediacy sure can be addictive
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 7, 2009 1:05 PM CST
I Don't Need Twitter's Need to Know Now...
A Japanese user shows the mobile version of the popular microblogging service.   (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

Twitter’s appeal is predicated on our need to know things right now. As 2009, the year of Twitter, draws to a close, Simon Dumenco of Advertising Age examines what he’s learned about that:

  • We don’t usually need to know right now. Unless you’re a surgeon waiting for a tweet about a heart transplant, it can usually wait until later.
  • But we really like to know stuff right now. Even completely worthless stuff; it makes us feel in the loop. It can give us an adrenaline rush, and it’s pretty addictive.

  • Fast information is often wrong. Sometimes it’s details, like the number of people at an Iranian protest. Other times…
  • For Twitter to survive, it needs a lot of disconnected devotees. How many obsessive tweeters are really out there? Fundamentally, wouldn’t we rather focus on the people and things actually around us?
  • Knowing right now is pretty exhausting. RT@simondumenco: I am tired, Twitter. Really, really tired.
(More Simon Dumenco stories.)

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