Forced to tweet


What is the point of twittering? That is the question I have been asking myself ever since the website was launched in 2006 by Jack Dorsey. What is the use of telling people that you are desperately in need for a cup of cappuccino or that you really need to go to the toilet? To me Twitter resembles the onomatopoeic word ‘tweet’ itself; a lot of young birds in a crowded nest, all screaming for the attention of others by trying to produce the loudest message.

There are however, as can be concluded from the popularity of the website, enough of these young birds on our planet. Students, celebrities and nowadays even companies make use of this social medium. Where does the popularity of the website however derive from? Is it the narcissism every human being possesses which encourages us to tell our friends how interesting our life is?

Even though I am quite critical towards Twitter, the upcoming weeks I will be forced to twitter, tweet and to explore more social media and trends. The course Media use in Organisations has given us students the assignment to discuss the splendid world of social media on our own blog. I am extremely curious whether this assignment will convince me of the necessity and usefulness of Twitter and other creations of our modern digital society.

P.S. I never thought I would ever say this but.. : follow me on: www.twitter.com/maaikedefeiter (and on this blog of course!)