Twitter Has Culture
Twitter is one of the most talked about services on the web these days. The service has taken off since its inception two years ago at SXSW. The service has seen a huge spike in traffic and more than its fair shares of ups and downs. Needless to say, Twitter is all about the community and harnessing the power of the sub-communities within Twitter. Through it all, Twitter has developed a culture of its own.
The Definition of Culture
According to Wikipedia, "culture" is defined as:
"[...]generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance. Cultures can be "understood as systems of symbols and meanings that even their creators contest, that lack fixed boundaries, that are constantly in flux, and that interact and compete with one another"."
Essentially, culture is the way people within a certain group behave and interact with one another.
The Twitter Culture
Technology Enthusiasts
It's no secret that those on Twitter interact and behave differently from other groups. For one, they might be online 24/7. That's a huge difference in itself from the rest of the world. They're normally heavy users of technology, especially web technology, and are on the bleeding edge of these things too. The majority of Twitter is comprised of tech related messages and innocent chatter. From web apps to software reviews, you'll find links to them all on Twitter.
Sharing Is Caring
Never let it be said that Twitter users don't care. They share their little hearts out every chance they get! Links from all over the web are shared on a minute by minute basis. On the same note, developers have taken advantage of all that information by aggregating the plethora of links that are shared across Twitter so that users can find the most popular links of the day or hour on Twitter. Not only do tweeters share links, but also reviews, beta invite codes, advice, stories, insults, and tons more. I've yet to see any credit card numbers or passwords being shared though it may be in the near future.
Vocal Advocates
Surprisingly, users of Twitter are very vocal about things. For example, take a look at the upcoming Presidential elections. I know more about the elections because of Twitter rather than because of the TV or newspapers where one would normally go to be updated on such things. Not only will they let you know what's going on, but also how they feel about it. These are pretty passionate people too. They voice their opinions while also encouraging others to do the same. They're always up for a tough albeit friendly debate. These are today and tomorrow's advocates.
I'm Bored....Twitter!
Those on Twitter are also easily bored. I know that Twitter is only enhancing my ADHD, which in turn is helping me to become bored very easily. There's so much to process on Twitter that when user streams slow down and the party ends they're left wondering what to do next. If Twitter goes down, the world might as well have just stopped. Tweeters just don't know what to do with themselves sometimes. They need constant entertainment because this is the very nature of Twitter and it's what Twitter promotes.
OK, I Dugg and Shared This Article. What's Next?
Never let it be said that Twitter doesn't have culture. There's so much more to the people on Twitter and a ton more to come as Twitter breaks into the masses of mainstream. Tweeters will continue to vocally share all the crazy technology that's available, yet still have an air of boredom around them at the same time. It's unbreakable and quite contagious. Let us know what you think defines the culture on Twitter.
Comments
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very good.
I agree completely. Twitter users have enough in common to be considered part of the same group.
Also, you're totally right about getting more info from twitter than from the news sometimes. And it's not just from specific twitters like the ones that are strictly about the US election but also some common people that twitter about anything have let me know about breaking news sooner than the tv, the radio or any other website.
Very good analysis.
I tweeted this post.
Great post.
Creating a culture is the duty of everybrand.
If you fail at creating a culture your brand is doomed.
Long life to twitter.
S.
I often also see twitters along the lines of, I'm very specific place now, which seems to invite a meet up with their twitter followers in the area:
for example, Robert Scoble's
"In NYC having breakfast at 57th and 9th. Off to Apple store after that."
yesterday
It is indeed an interesting culture. You are right that the Twitter folks care. I tweeted about a forest fire in my area last week and had several inquiries about my personal and home safety.
One of the cool aspects are the insights you get into a variety of people's lives that you have never met. You feel like you know them! The biggest challenge is keeping up with all the "noise" as your personal Twitter network grows.
Great article!
Don't forget, many earthquakes in remote areas have been tweeted long before they are in the news by people there. And fires. And other breaking news.
I think the two most incredible things Twitter brought forward is their ability to connect people, and their API - making all these really cool apps that you can use, maybe when you get to that "Twitter Boredom" stage.
I have met so many other tech people out there, even in my own region I have never even met before! Twitter also allows you to interact with other high-profile tech people who really do answer you back, such as @corvida and @sarahintampa - Twitter makes everyone accessible and interactive without being intrusive.
And for you ADHD types (me, too!) Twitabit.com is a new app where you can still Tweet, even if Twitter is down and will get your tweets delivered when it comes back up. Even when Twitter is down, you can still be tweeting!
We even made a local Twitter app for Twitter users just in the Cape Cod area to get to know others in the area. http://www.capenetworking.com Community, local and/or distant, is what it's all about!
I´m quite new to Twitter but beginning to see the benefits of using it.
We believe whole-heartedly in brands being about culture! Today, people are seeking out the brands they identify with so they can be a part of something bigger -- a brand culture.
We've published a whitepaper on this topic that is available on our website for download if you're interested.
Cheers,
Mike Mirkil
www.idbranding.com
Thanx for sharing your views on the Twitter culture.
From one ADD'r to another.
Joel Libava
The Franchise King Blog