In our previous RAP, We Blog, we looked at the whole blogging thing.
As part of this, in our Book Rapper Context, we outlined the path of the web: From websites to blogs and to microblogs.
The easiest way to describe this progression is to say: The web just got faster!
Historically, this acceleration parallels the shift from static single photography to motion pictures. From ‘moving pictures’ we get the word ‘movie’, as compared to ‘still’ photography.
The key here is that when you show a progression of still photos at the right speed you get the appearance of movement.
As Marshall McLuhan would have said, you also get a new medium with a new message. So it is with blogs and microblogs.
Websites started the self-publishing phenomenon. Blogs have accelerated this push because they make it even easier to publish – It’s now DIY and adult-proof.
Now, Facebook and Twitter, probably the best known microblogs have come along. They’re even faster.
Twitter is pure microblog – 140 characters to say your piece. That’s it. No more.
Facebook has the same ‘What are you doing right now?’ microblog features, plus plenty of others. It’s more of a place to hang out in current time whereas Twitter is the message.
The big question about the web is: What’s the right speed?
The right speed for movies is 24 frames per second. Any slower and you don’t get smooth flowing pictures and the brain doesn’t relax and enjoy the movie.
Love to hear your thoughts.
If you want more on Twittering, there’s a great introductory article on The Age. It’s called Tweet and Greet and it’s by Lucy Atkins (February 21, 2009).
The article has inspired me to write this post AND to join Twitter. Rather than watch the action, it’s time to join the microblog set and start twittering…
Look out for ‘bookrapper‘ on Twitter. (http://twitter.com/bookrapper)
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