Seems+stupid+until+you+try+it-press+coverage+of+Twitter,+2006-9

=Noah Arceneaux and Amy Schmitz Weiss. "Seems stupid until you try it: press coverage of Twitter, 2006–9"= New Media Society 2010 12: 1262 originally published online 18 May 2010 []

=Abstract=

While critics of Twitter, the most popular micro blogging application, dismiss the service as frivolous, proponents tout a variety of educational, political and commercial uses. Drawing from social construction theories of technology, this research uses the grounded theory approach to analyze press coverage of this emerging technology from 2006 through the first months of 2009. While the specifics of Twitter may be new, this research demonstrates that the public response to this web tool is similar to the public reaction to earlier communication technologies including the telegraph, radio and the internet. Despite vocal skepticism from some, the research shows newspapers, magazines and blogs have promoted and actively encouraged Twitter’s diffusion.

=Argument=

According to this article, studies were done after Twitter was created. Authors argue that although there is great skepticism, the diffusion of Twitter will continue. Twitter is another form of social networking that expands our reach into the world. The article contains research and a study done to prove that, although there were some limitations, Twitter was another form of media that can be used for communication.

Many people today are still scared and nieve of the use of Twitter. With many stars, journalists, and educators using Twitter, a new social networking has evolved. Positives and negatives are pointed out through the research that done. With the growing social media network, Twitter is bound to stay concurrent with the revolving world. Micro blogging being one of the major addictions for the electronic social networking person, communication through Twitter will likely stay active. Being a important communication tool for many is how Twitter influences the social networking person. Through research these studies have proven that Twitter is an evolving way of social networking.

=Key Passages=

"No matter what the potential benefits of electronically mediated communication might be, such uses may never be realized if society perceives the accompanying technology in a negative light" (1263)

"Previous research into the public reactions to the earlier communications technologies, including the telegraph, the telephone, radio, television, the internet and mobile phones, indicates three different categories of response. These categories – positive becoming negative, continually positive and negative becoming positive – provide some framework against which the press coverage of Twitter may be evaluated." (1264)

"Based on the press coverage during Twitter’s first three years of existence, the evidence indicates that journalists have been primarily positive in relation to this particular microblogging service. While a great many jokes and derogatory comments have circulated online and among professional comedians, articles in newspapers, magazines and blogs suggest a largely supportive tone." (1273)

"Every major form of electronic communication, from the telegraph to the internet, has been greeted with ambivalence, though the preponderance of positive press coverage revealed by this research suggests that the skepticism over Twitter will not slow its diffusion and commercial adoption." (1274)

=Selected Works Cited=

Apple Matters (2009) If privacy is so important why does everyone give it up? 24 February. Available at: LexisNexis Academic.

Auchmutey J (2008) Changing face of Facebook: One-time student site draws in older users to social networking. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 12 October, section M, p. 1. Available at: LexisNexis Academic

Greene K (2007) What is he doing? Evan Williams got rich when he sold Blogger to Google, then he started Twitter. Technology Review, 1 November, p. 44. Available at: LexisNexis Academic.

Grier T (2009) What journalists get about Twitter, social media ‘gurus’ (and others) don’t. The Constant Observer, 21 January. Available at: LexisNexis Academic

Singer J (2005) The political J-blogger: ‘Normalizing’ a new media form to fit old norms and practices. Journalism: Theory, Practice, Criticism 6(2): 173–98.