Twitter in China

[bigshotprof]

Okay, socializers, explain this to me. BOL just had an item about how helpful twitter was in getting news out about the earthquake in China. How would that work? Can't you just contact your friends through twitter? And who would have the capability to do that in a ravaged location?

Or are we talking about aid workers and reporters appearing on the scene and reporting back?
I don't have that much experience tweeting. So far it is just me and my own inner voices.

[ireneslistening]

Hey, we actually are doing a piece on the use of twitter and other microblogging sites during a disaster on next weeks show. In the meantime, Global Voices Online is really cool indy global news site and really informative if you don't already know about it check out http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/

What's interesting is that when cellular phones were marketed to the general public early campaigns were centered around safety. If you have a cellular phone you will be able to call for help. Do we use cellular for emergencies? Absolutely, but the bulk of our conversations are not distress calls. To market the product the ads focused on emergencies, whereas with microblogging services the bulk of the sign up push focuses on connection with your friends.

Do you remember when http://www.Dodgeball.com , I think that was the first time I was exposed to group meet-ups via texts (Google purchased them early on and the service never really took off like twitter did) but when it was launched it was really focusing on meeting up with your friends and finding parties and places to go.

Anyway, you are right, it's definitely worth discussion and I think what will be interesting to watch is how this transforms down the line. I imagine you will be able to purchase a cellular phone and be encouraged to link to your local government's disaster alert stream.

- Irene

[bigshotprof]

I guess, other than the scale, its not that different from the will-call alerts they set up at colleges after the V Tech shootings. Good point.