Post # 8: My Own Choice

We are always talking in class about how websites like Twitter are a great way to get information out to the public. But here is an article that claims that these types of websites are detrimental. The article claims that humans cannot comprehend moral implications when absorbing information at such a fast rate. Basically, because there is a limited number of characters that one can fill up when writing a Twitter post, people will not be able to gain the full knowledge of what the actual message is. This will detract them from making moral judgments on what they read on Twitter about what is going on in the world.

I have to disagree with this article because although people do go on Twitter to catch bits and pieces of the news, I would like to believe that people take it for that and nothing more. If I am on Twitter and something catches my eye, the first thing I do is either wikipedia it or go on CNN and see what those sites have to say on the topic. I know that I need to look elsewhere to learn the full story and I think that is obvious to anyone else.

I think that Twitter has been more than beneficial at spreading the word about upcoming events and news stories. When Day of Silence took place earlier this month, people all over were putting up Twitter messages to represent. It really helped to get the word out there to people who may have never heard of the event before. Another thing I remember reading about was that the first news about the plane that landed in the Hudson was actually someone who got out their phone and Twittered the message. In less than a minute news was reported.

Lately, I have heard that the newest concern with Twitter is the spread of wrong information about the Swine Flu. Again, I think people should think about where this information is coming from. If you want to find out more about the Swine Flu, one should probably go on a medical website, not a social network. Twitter can be used as a beneficial tool if it is utilized properly. Maybe some doctors should create a Twitter profile so they can "tweet" about the flu and what people should do if they have symptoms.

Twitter was made to be a social networking site but it can be so much more if we use it in the right way.