Twitter is a relatively new social networking website.  It is different from Facebook, Myspace, and their many clones, in that its main function is to post relatively short messages to keep  your followers updated on what you are doing.  It was founded in 2006, and gained popularity in 2007 and 2008.  It is now the third most popular social-networking site in the world behind No. 1 Facebook and No. 2 Myspace.

The isn’t as complicated as Facebook, or Mysapce (which generally requires the use of HTML to make your page).  This way more computer-illiterate users can join in on the fun.  An update, also known as “tweet” are short  sentences that usually describe what an individual is doing, something they like, or can also be self-promotion.  The short statements must be less than 140 characters.

Famous celebrities, politicians, muscians, and ordinary people have begun using Twitter.  One of the most notable people to use Twitter is Barack Obama.  This is the type of online sensation that encompasses all of popular culture.  It uses a the internet as a channel of popular culture, but it is also referenced on television shows, but celebrities, on the radio, and even in magazines.  When the media want you to know what a TV host, or rock group is doing 24/7, they will want their “celebrities” to Twitter on a daily basis.

I have just recently joined Twitter, and found out that I am also able to update the world on what I am doing through my Mobile cell phone.  Does the world really need to know that I am eating a sandwich, or on the can?  I guess only time will tell.

Advertisement