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Twitter is a social media site that is a combination of instant messaging, blogging, and texting, that also can reach a mass audience. Twitter is also about discovering interesting people. The fast responses on this sight make it instantly gratifying for users. Not to mention with actual celebrities posting their personal opinions and daily routines, fandom has skyrocketed to the next level. There is one catch though, everything must be done in 140 characters or less.

Twitter has outgrown the simple labels of socializing, and marketing. It has developed into something much bigger. Twitter is not only useful and interesting it delivers news and politics. It also allows fans to read actual comments from their favorite stars and can help keep a business organized. Twitter is filled with useful tips and tricks. Here are a few examples of how twitter has gone beyond socializing and marketing. When terrible things happen in America people use the phrase “the nation wept” to show what an impact that specific event had on people.  When the tragic attacks on Paris happened, the entire world wept. People all over the globe changed their profile pictures so that there was filter of the Parisian flag over the picture, #prayforparis went viral. In this terrible time twitter went beyond its social and marketing means and became a way for the entire world to grieve and show Paris that they were supported and loved. It became a channel of support and encouragement. Another recent event that showed what else Twitter is capable of was the Boston Marathon bombing. Many spectators had their cell phones out filming the race when the bombing occurred. Some of these spectators went straight to twitter with the tragedy they had just seen. Twitter was covering the news of what happened way before any newspaper or news channel had a chance get to the story. Twitter provided, eye witness accounts which ended up providing some of the first-hand evidence. Spectators who used twitter also gathered pictures, soundbites, and reactions that informed the narrative. Having these things on Twitter for everyone to read brought immediacy and intimacy to this tragic event. It was the unfiltered word on the street that gave firsthand accounts of this tragedy. Twitter was also seen beyond its usual means during the Egyptian revolution. The news in Egypt was sweeping social media, especially twitter, because of the sites wide popularity the voices of many working middle class citizens could be heard. Some even say this phenomenon of free voice sparked the revolution.

            For businesses Twitter can be a very useful organizational tool. There is a feature on the site that allows users to create private lists of existing customers so connecting and engaging with customers can be quick and easy. This site also has a feature that allows users to create a public list of brands used by the business to help stay up to date on the latest news and products associated with those companies.  Twitter is useful as a journalistic tool because of its ability to deliver flash news. Very much like the banners that run across the bottom of TV screens, it grabs your attention and gets quickly to the point. Today’s society is filled with people who have incredibly short attention spans. These kinds of people want their news quickly with a convenient link to an article if they are interested in reading further on the topic. Twitter has also put a useful twist on politics. When candidates post comments to their personal Twitter feed it does one of two things. Either increases their likability among voters because they appear more relate-able or it makes them less appealing to voters because of negativity associated with their comments. The 2016 election with Donald Trump is a great example of this. He upset many people with his offensive tweets. Unfortunately, he did not lose enough votes over the comments to lose the presidency.

            The 2016 election is a great example of how Twitter can also work as a communicator for events. Twitter basically worked as a narrator throughout the election, constantly updating users about the freshest news. This was a success in the fact that voters were more informed about this election that ever before in history, but a failure in the sense that it allowed a mockery to be made of the election with so many memes and jokes. Twitter has also been successful when it comes to marking one’s self as safe during a tragedy. For some recent disasters, such as the attacks on Paris, Twitter was the main communicator letting families know their loved ones were safe. Twitter has shown some failure though when it comes to sending spam and trying to boost interest in trending topics. It was discovered in January of 2017 that there are over 500,000 are fake accounts on twitter spreading spam.

            A good way to show the different reasons one uses twitter is to show examples of different types of pages to follow. For example following @vikingsontwitter allows fans to see trailers for upcoming seasons, bloopers, as well as interesting facts about the actors and the show. Following someone like @kathygriffin teaches patience. It is challenging to follow someone who is hated, it does teach how to put personal feeling aside and approach people’s comments and ideas like an adult. Not every person encountered in life will be a friend. Following @HGTV is so useful, there are constant tips, tricks and DIY projects.

            The experience of using twitter is much different from blogging. One must be able to express ideas and opinions in 140 characters or less. Blogging allows the writer endless time and space to get their point across. When there is only 140 characters the heart of what is really trying to be said will come out with no fluff or ribbons. Because this is an era where attention spans are so short and only getting shorter, Twitter might be the future of how people receive their daily news.