NIC HARALAMBOUS

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Has twitter increased your one-on-one IM?

It has for me.Strange to think but it's true. Through twitter and my followers I've noticed whose interested in what I have to say (my twitter "followers"). For whatever reason the people following me are interested in my movements and my thoughts. The reasons are up to them and for them to know I suppose.But what I have noticed coming out of twitter and tweets is that topics of interest spark a lot more, people are more open and receptive to reading what you have to say. Even if it is only 140 characters. On many occasions recently I have been approached in private IM (instant message) chats to continue a discussion or debate that I posted or commented on via twitter.This is extremely interesting and I think might lend towards some people's thoughts about twitter being the next big thing. Let's all be honest for a second, and it's been said before, Facebook is great, MySpace did well but are people really still looking for mass communication all the time? I think not. I think something deeper is sought after. People are inherently looking for people. People to engage with, to talk to and debate with. This can take place one-on-one and that's why we have blogs, forums and social networks. But at the end of the day nothing beats one-on-one conversation, even if it is over IM.For me first prize involves a debate that launches on my blog and carries over to the "offline world". I enjoy it when i meet people in person and they comment on and discuss something that I've blogged about or tweeted.Simply put, personal recognition outweighs mass "Digg effect" sort of recognition, at least in my world. I like to know that SA Rocks has affected one person's perception of things. I like it when one person can discuss something I blogged or commented on. I like to know that my opinion matters for longer than one day and 60+ comments.Twitter has enhanced my integration with people on a personal level not a mass level. What do you think?