twitter

In a previous post I mentioned just how much I like Facebook – it’s the best way to keep in touch with friends and an easy way to track down long-lost friends. I encourage anyone who wants to study English to get a Facebook account as it’s an easy way to meet people from all over the world. Recently a few of my students at Smith’s 英会話 Hirakata created their own Facebook page and it’s great to see new faces join my friends. My mother who is 73 and still struggles with the Internet even decided to get an account?! Wow!! Times are a changing. But I’m not here to entice you to get an account but rather to discuss that new craze – Twitter. Originally created for mobile phones to keep in touch with friends it has grown and become a certified megatrend.

Companies are tweeting (to post a tweet is called tweeting), politicians are tweeting, and now, even I’m tweeting. At first I remember thinking, “Why would people be interested in knowing what I’m up to?” However the other day when I was listening to Anthony Robbins talk about the changes that are upon us today he mentioned why he decided to get a twitter account. He said that by using twitter you can get answers to questions you might have in mere seconds. You could ask things such as, “I’m in Bangkok, Thailand today – where’s a good Italian place to eat?” and in 30 seconds you’d have 30 suggestions. Twitter may have been developed as a tool for friends to keep in touch with but it has numerous applications. Now I’m sure many of you are still shaking your head going, “Yeah, but I don’t really need that.” I’m sure you said the same thing about 15 years ago with regard to a mobile phone but, most likely, you can’t live without one these days. We can’t stop change, we must learn to go with the flow or face becoming a dinosaur. I remember when I was 8 years old I had surpassed my father’s technological ability. Looking at my son, who’s 2, I wonder how long before he surpasses my knowledge.

Truly amazing just how the world has changed, and will continue to.

Future Fossil,

Adrian