Earlier this week, Twitter announced that a planned site outage for a critical network upgrade had been moved from the wee hours of the morning (in the US) to early afternoon. The "wee hours" for US residents is prime time daylight in Iran. The afternoon outage in the US would inconvenience (or be a mild annoyance) to some, however, Twitter explained, "our network partners … recognize the role Twitter is currently playing as an important communication tool in Iran." Who'd have thunk it?
And then the new message went out all across Twitter-land. Show support of the opposition by turning your Twitter avatar green. That, too, went viral as many Twitter-ers (Twits?) have now gone green.
Today, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei declared the original election results correct, proper, and valid, and he warned protesters to cease their actions on the streets. Undeterred, the micro protests continue, although the tweets don't seem to come as fast and furiously as they had a few days ago. (It is getting increasingly more difficult to acquire safe pipelines out of Iran.) Tweeting (and providing secure access for Iranian Twitter-ers) has become an act of courage as the Iranian government tries very hard to put a halt to the small, but powerful messages.
Text messaging, even video text messaging, cannot convey the urgency of those 140-character sound bites. They almost have the feel of those vital bits of information coming across an those old shortwave radios back in my parents' era, when the networks, and certainly the newspapers were unable to keep up with the fast pace of overseas news.
Twitter (and networks like it) have great power. Far more than a creepy-sounding way to "follow" your friends or favorite celeb, it has the power to change the world, 140 characters at a time.
Article comments
1 - nc
It's been fascinating to watch, hasn't it. I love your shortwave radio analogy. Reminds me of Morse Code in a way, too, as that medium also discourages lengthiness.
The only thing I don't like about Twitter is the sense I have that I'm talking to myself most of the time, and that being able to exchange thoughts with others is like following the popular kids around in junior high. At what following level does it become impossible to engage meaningfully with individuals rather than just absorb the conscience collective?
Doesn't stop me from being involved, though.
2 - Robert M. Barga
TO me, this whole concept of twitter is partially narcissistic, partially the devolution of the English Language, and partially the way the world will be saved
3 - Barbara S Barnett
I like the idea of engaging with people with whom you otherwise would not. I have made a couple of amazing contacts through Twitter and have gotten to know some Internet associates much better through Twitter than, say, through online forums. there is a directness and immediacy to this that is similar to IM'ing and chatting, but with allowing others to join in the conversation. I liken it to being at the local swimming pool, chit-chatting with a couple of people about whatever, and having a couple more join in because they heard something that interests them.
I never get personal on any level (unless through direct messaging --which is private).
I had never occurred to me before Iran that the tweet could have so much power.
Twitter can also be used to pass on immediate information of other sorts. Big storms here yesterday--even a tornado in the area. Someone west of me warned to batten down the hatches, it was heading my way (the storm, not the tornado), the storm hit minutes later. Had I not been alerted by my tweet-er, my puppy would have been hit by giant hailstones.
My friend wouldn't have phoned me to tell me a storm is coming, but seeing that bit of info sure helped me.
A few weeks ago, there had been an earthquake in California near LA, the first info came through via twitter...long before the news had the story as people tweeted to ask if anyone else "felt that."
Yes, Robert, there can be a narcissism to it. But I don't think the English language will be devolved by it (think of all the Haikus that can be written -- 140 characters is a perfect length for them. And the form of the message is no less elegant than those secret morse code messages that saved the world a generation or two ago.
4 - Cindy
lol @ Robert
5 - Cindy
Barbara,
Everyone should read this article. Thanks for this wonderful, wonderful analysis.
Twitter (and networks like it) have great power. Far more than a creepy-sounding way to "follow" your friends or favorite celeb, it has the power to change the world, 140 characters at a time.
That's the truth.
6 - irene wagner
Robert, is there less narcissism, less prostitution of the English language, in blogland than on twitter?
Worthwhile things are being done on Twitter (this article describes one) and in blogs, and some not-so-worthwhile things are also being done.
7 - tink
One of the fascinating challenges using Twitter, to me, is the 140 character limit which is less than what my cell provider allows for non-network texts. To make a point without reverting to the U for you, 2 for two, etc. can be part of the fun in sending out tweets.
I agree that Twitter can be more powerful than it's face value. There have been several instances in the US where tweeting has helped people in personal crisis. To follow the impact it's now made globally breaks down walls and ultimately brings us all closer together.
Wonderful article, Barbara!
8 - Barbara S Barnett
Thanks for your kind words, everyone. I think Twitter, more than the other social media, has real potential. It's always there, always on (especially if you have an interface like tweetdeck) and can always be part of the conversation, debate--or information spreading community.
9 - nebben
You can view pics from #iranelection alongside tweets containing #iranelection.
10 - Cindy
"Stop, or I'll tweet you!"
11 - Barbara S Barnett
Cindy--fantastic. Nebben, thanks for the link. Forgot to include my own tweet link. Tweet ME!