Twittering Tweets

In the last few weeks Twitter seems to be everywhere. It skyrocketed Susan Boyle into fame, was the center of a CNN-Ashton Kutcher smack-down, and helped propel a 20,000 person demonstration in Moldova.

I have to admit, the idea of micro-blogging freaks me out just a wee bit. I was behind the curve on Facebook and still find the whole "status updates" a tad narcissistic. Who really needs to know what I just ate for breakfast?

But I do see the amazing value Twitter has in countries like Moldova. Where news sites can be turned off with a flick of the government's wrist Twitter helps promote free speech in a way that most forms of technology cannot. The ability to communicate with thousands of people instantly has real value for social and political movements. (And for creating mass destruction which is a real and valid concern for law enforcement.) Despite the new platform, the old dangers of speaking out against the government still exist. Just ask Natalia Morar.

Update: According to Slate, this may have been the Twitter revolution that was not. Interesting piece.