Ask HN: Who needs Twitter?

[yuvadm]

Twitter. A platform that, in essence, enables its users to exchange 140-word long messages. No more, no less.

There is no denying Twitter's popularity. Users do use it.

But time and again the question arises - Why do we even need such a platform? What is the added value that users get from Twitter? Has Twitter become yet another tool to satisfy our very basic narcissistic desires?

What's your take on Twitter's success? Specifically, what is the need for such a platform?

[lhorie]

>> Specifically, what is the need for such a platform?

>> Has Twitter become yet another tool to satisfy our very basic narcissistic desires?

I think you just answered your own question there.

Seriously though, just getting a 140-char blurb out there is a good way to get a conversation going with whoever happens to be interested. My co-worker has this set of food-themed icebreaker cards that pretty much look like a bunch of tweets in flashcards and there's definitely some value there.

[donohoe]

Twitter has value when you look at its content as a whole.

While I'm of the opinion that Twitter is over-hyped to a point, I would say that I've met a large number of people in real-life as a result of using Twitter. Going to meetups and other tech events in NYC take on a new dimension when you already 'know' people there, and its an immediate ice-breaker.

Likewise I've been able to solicit feedback on projects from people I could not otherwise reach, peoples who's opinions I respect. I could not do this in Facebook, email, or in a forum.

So while we do not 'need' the Twitter platform, it is very useful to have.

[ZeroMinx]

It's good for getting live news updates. For example, right now there's a bomb scare in central London.

You can get updates and pics at; http://twitter.com/#search?q=holborn

Nothing in "normal" media yet, as far as I can tell.

It was also quite nice to follow during G20 demonstrations in London. Of course you see a lot of dupes, but filtering that out you get instant updates and pics from the front line.

[chc]

Who needs ice cream? Who needs pets? Who needs love and companionship? Are they all just tools to satisfy our very basic desires?

Yes.

[getonit]

In my case specifically, and in a wider scope too (IMHO), the limit is removing the barrier of having to explain in any detail. Forcing me to post the TLDR version of what I want to say encourages me to make the effort much more often.