Sattire in Twitter: How Twitter is Changing the Way We Write

In 140 characters people have changed how and the way the world thinks. Think hard, because this 140 character craze is being taken to a whole new level. I recently read an article in TIME Magazine titled Twitter Lit: A Creative New Outlet (link below) that made me think of all the ways in which we communicate today. While this post doesn't focus on the use of Twitter, it focuses on the bases of Twitter (short character communication). The story goes a little like this...

When I was a middle schooler (much like you today), I was given a cell-phone by mom and dad (keep in mind, these things were brand new and too large to fit into your pocket comfortably). Now, most of you are probably thinking that my life must not have been too rough if I was given a cellular phone,, but keep this in mind:

1) My older brother and I shared the phone.

2) The phone was paid per minute used (Trust me, there was no reason to go above 100 minutes).

3) There was no such thing as text messaging.

4) It was more of a convenience thing for my mother and father so they could keep track of us and pick us up in a timely manner from after-school sports.

5) Like, 2 other people in my grade had cell phones.

(Here is an image of my first phone. I seriously think this was a model newer than mine).

You see, the phone was simply a device to get into contact with my parents, not my friends. In fact, there was no need to get in contact with friends via the cell phone because you were already so used to making plans for the evening before one left the school building. With the change in communication devices and mediums, we have also changed the way we plan. Our planning tendencies in my opinion tend to be far more sporadic and unscheduled. For instance, think about the most recent time you did something with your best friends outside of school. Was this event planned out a week in advance? A day in advance? An hour in advance? As well, how did you communicate this? Was it via landline, cell phone, text message, Instant Message (which was also brand new when I got to Middle School)? If I had to guess, I bet it was down with one of the last two.

This brings me to my next point. Not only has our communication become more sporadic and unplanned, but less personal. Think about it this way, we want to be connected (very connected) to what other people are doing, but we don't necessarily want to communicate formally with them. How did you communicate with your friends last night? Did you call them and have a 20 minute conversation about how Mr. Stocker's Math class was so intriguing and fun that you can't wait to go back to school tomorrow? Not likely, you probably spent 45 minutes having a texting conversation about that same thing (I wish). Why? First of all, I can have a conversation via text or IM with multiple people at once (ultimately, I can become more efficient and more connected), but I also can become less associated with the people I am communicating with. I can get all of the information I desire through short messages without the commitment of a lengthy conversation that could result in "awkward silence." Oh no! Not awkward silence!

We want to be connected, but we do not want the responsibility that comes with committing ourselves to an actual conversation. Think about it... how many times have you avoided a phone call in hopes to just later start a texting conversation? As well, most of you will even text the person you really like instead of calling them (not that! oh no!). Why? It's perfect considering it's not too formal, and doesn't imply a "real" conversation.

Check out how Twitter is changing the way we write and communicate. Trust me, we are evolving as writers on a yearly and sometimes daily basis.

Best,

C.S.

Twitter Lit: A Creative New Outlet:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1993863,00.html