Akshay Java, Xiaodan Song, Tim Finin, Belle Tseng. “Why We Twitter: Understanding Microblogging Usage and Communities”. http://aisl.umbc.edu/resources/369.pdf. Accessed 30 Aug. 2017.
Summary
This article examines the premise behind why we use Twitter, but more broadly microblogging. It starts by defining the microblogging nature of Twitter and how it entices users with short posts that they feel they can create multiple times a day. This article also looks to understand the intentions of microblogging users and how relationships are built between them. It looks at the three main user intentions of users of Twitter (“information sharing, information seeking, and friendship-wise relationship”). These intentions differ for each user but are an important part of that user’s experience. This article proceeds to go into detail about the communities that can form from these microblogging applications. Interestingly enough, it examines how users with similar interests will share more about their “personal feeling and daily experience” with other users they have connected with who have similar interests. Along with this, we also examine the main user intentions on Twitter, such as daily chatter or reporting news, and why they may be appealing to different users.
Reflection
I greatly enjoyed the breadth of this article and how it started from the basics of microblogging and then dove into more intensive topics. This article discussed how users feel more inclined to post when using microblogging. I would definitely agree with this, as I have seen many people post simple sentences several times a day just to let their followers know what they are doing. This post could be as simple as saying they had just made it to work, but they desire to let their followers know about this. One thing I wish this article had expanded on more would be the “information seeking” user base of Twitter and the social implications of this user base. It would be very interesting to know more about the different users that populate the three user intention groups. Another thing this article has made me think about is the future of microblogging. We know that many years ago the social structure of how people communicated was much different than it is today. This begs the question of what the future of communication will look like as technology increases.
Questions
What causes some users to post numerous times a day on Twitter?
What causes some users to never post on Twitter, but simply browse?
Is there a correlation between number of posts and follower base?
Do users with more followers post differently than those with less?
Is microblogging too long for the future of communication?
