Version: 2008

Comments on: Nationalize Twitter? Hmm, not so fast

A lot of chatter recently that Twitter has become vital to our daily lives--with some suggesting it to a question of national security.

Add a Comment (Log in or register) (8 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by mjconver May 11, 2008 12:27 PM PDT
Huh? Talk about self-absorption. Twitter is just more noise that makes you think your life is more important than it really is. It could disappear tomorrow and 99.99% of the world (yes, that's accurate, do the math) wouldn't even notice.
Reply to this comment
by Matthew_Maurice May 11, 2008 4:01 PM PDT
I had to check the by-line on this article just to make sure it didn't say April 1. While Twitter may be indispensable to 13 year-old girls and Robert Scoble the idea that its platform is relevant to National Security in any way is laughable.
Reply to this comment
by forensicmeteoboy May 11, 2008 7:51 PM PDT
I agree with Matthew... Twitter really isn't all that cool outside a small amount of teens and some so-called tech people.

How about they build a platform on something reliable (eg. not Ruby), have multiple redundant servers nationwide, etc.

In all honesty, they need a plan to make money. How about that? A business without a plan to make money. Is that really what you base your life around? C'mon CNet guys and girls... it's really not as big you think. Sorry.
Reply to this comment
by charlie cooper May 12, 2008 6:42 AM PDT
ouch. a bit harsh, don't you think? i'm not making over-the-top predictions about twitter's impact on tech but it's a fascinating story and we're still in the early innings. fwiw, i first heard this ayem about the china quake on twitter. there's now a thread on techmeme about this and i think dan's also writing on this...
Reply to this comment
by rapier1 May 12, 2008 7:59 AM PDT
No, its not harsh. Its a realistic assessment about the true worth of the product. Twitter has some appeal to people who are tethered to cellphones and computers but a large number of people just don't care that much. Really. They don't. People in the tech field think they do but if you get outside of that echo chamber you'll find that the real potential for the market isn't there.
Reply to this comment
by Jimm1 May 12, 2008 8:37 AM PDT
What's twitter? That's the response of more than 3/4 of the US population. IT is a small world that thinks it is THE world. Get real, people.
Reply to this comment
by mvaiks May 12, 2008 10:13 AM PDT
That's what I was about to ask: what is Twitter? Never heard of it... much less its importance.
Reply to this comment
by pieterjansegers May 13, 2008 2:32 AM PDT
The importance of Twitter and other microblogs is their function as instant global mass media. Creating real global awareness and 'glocality'.

Like any news is of importance to the stock markets, it's indeed vital to know the news as fast as possible. Within less than 5 minutes any event wordwide can be covered by microblogs, even radio can't do any better.

The automated information of express postal services are liked by anyone of us; now simular things are possible for all kinds of information.

I liked twitter right away and I'm now using microblogs all over the globe to share information I find usefull.

Twitter, Zuosa, Fanfou, Khaces, Dukudu.de, Meemi, Niimo, Smspr.ru, Blip.pl, Gozub, Noumba, Komoo.cn, Tapioka.ca, Cirip.ro, Tiish, Playtalk.net, Numpa.nl, ...
Reply to this comment
(8 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

15 sites that went kaput in 2009

Web sites launch all the time, but they also shut their doors. We highlight 15 that bit the dust this year.

Top 10 news stories of the decade

Let the debate begin: Was the iPhone more important than iTunes? Was anything bigger than Google finding a great business model? CNET offers its list of the 10 most important stories of the '00s.

About Coop's Corner

Charles Cooper has covered technology and business for more than 25 years. A graduate of Queens College and Columbia University, Cooper received the Excellence in Journalism award from the Northern California branch of the Society for Professional Journalists for column writing.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Coop's Corner topics

advertisement
Click Here
advertisement