Twitter, the microblogging platform thought by many to be a megaphone for egomaniacs and narcissists worldwide, launched a Twitter Tales blog today in what looks like an attempt to convince the non-adopters that the service is for much more than just relating lunch menus and daily minutiae.
The blog follows in the footsteps of other big players, like Facebook Stories and Google Stories, and will serve as “a growing set of articles that highlights creative individuals and businesses from all corners of the world that help make Twitter awesome.”
So far, the blog highlights three use cases. First, there’s @natashabadhwar, the New Delhi-based filmmaker and mother of three, who uses Twitter as a medium for self-expression and creativity. Then, there’s @caltrain, the innovative crowdsourced Twitter account for Silicon Valley commuters, “where people can help others avoid pitfalls on their daily commute.” Finally, @thebloggess shows us how Twitter can offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process we might not otherwise witness.
While we’re the last ones that need convincing that Twitter is for much more than mundane self-absorption, we can’t help but wonder if stories like these are far more the exception than the rule. Twitter is a great tool for breaking news, for crowdsourcing information and for real-time connection. It can be an indispensable tool during times of crisis and, at the same time, it can be a mental vacuum, containing primarily those empty, vapid messages it is best known for.
What do you think? Will you be emailing [email protected] with a story of how Twitter has changed your life in profound ways? Or is Twitter merely your latest replacement for feed readers, constantly streaming breaking news and LOL cat links?
If you fall into the latter category, then hopefully Twitter Tales will help to point out some accounts you should be following and, as the company says in its blog, potentially inspire you and others “to use the service in innovative and interesting ways”.
