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The Twitter Effect

Many of us have recognized for some time that the Web is becoming what we might call “dummied”. For lack of a better term and by way of a definition, this simply means that the majority of users are practically numbed. Well, the point could be argued I suppose, as there is still a good amount of quality content out there. However, no one can deny that at least as far as blogs the social networks are concerned, we are playing a simplistic game of checkers on a huge chessboard called the Internet. Take a look at some interesting trends and see if you feel dummied at all.

Coerced Or Just Too Busy?

There are two basic reasons a blogger or journalist might fall victim to scribbling low quality content on their pages. First and most appropriate to this little discussion might be the simple fact that production of any kind these days is about giving people what they want. In this scenario, the “mind of the mob” has decidedly asked for stupid and simple over the sometimes complexity of depth of quality.

Secondly, content producers (often the most prolific ones) simply get too busy to add the content they once did. The combination of these two simple stimuli leads to one thing - low quality. There is not even an argument here, as it is quite evident that the reality of time and space dictate such a digression. Even in situations where bloggers or other producers might want to deliver high quality, the mob at the other end of the spectrum supplied the impetus for either rationalization or demand side content economics (gotta love that term huh?). Here are some examples.

The Thinking Blog

This blog has been one of the best sources of interesting and worthwhile news in the blogosphere for some time. Ilker, the editor, is a good friend and I trust everyone knows, a very skilled designer and writer. I use this example because Ilker would be the first to admit that business and other work have taken their toll with regard to time management. Also, I think Ilker would go along with giving people what they want in as far as content are concerned. Lists and other such “compartmentalized” methodologies for attracting the critically lazy have permeated the Web.

The latest post on this fine blog is about none other than our friend the tomato. Yes, breaking technology has now revealed that this plant is actually a fruit. Well, I think it is, let me read the post first. Yes, in fact Ilker has solidified the knowledge that this in fact a berry. My point here is two fold; first Ilker is capable of some of the best research and writing out there - but has begun to throw morsels to the mob, and secondly it has become increasingly difficult for any of us to actually read everything we come across. Not to pick on Ilker too much, I will present other cases for the “dummy” effect - but for now consider that Wikipedia offers just about anything one could ever want to know about the tomato. I offer this segment verifying Ilker’s hypotheses:

Tomato fruit is classified as a berry. As a true fruit, it develops from the ovary of the plant after fertilization, its flesh comprising the pericarp walls. The fruit contains hollow spaces full of seeds and moisture, called locular cavities. These vary, among cultivated species, according to type. Some smaller varieties have two cavities, globe-shaped varieties typically have three to five, beefsteak tomatoes have a great number of smaller cavities, while paste tomatoes have very few, very small cavities.

The Successful Blog

One of the most successful and read bloggers we have is Liz Strauss. So many people have either sought advice from Liz or become part of her network it is quite amazing. I remember reading some of the most insightful and informative blog advice ever on this blog. I am picking on Liz a little this time because I know just how busy she is and how much it has evidently effected her content. If you look at this great post from some time back and compare it with anything from more recently, the “Dummied Web Syndrome” really rears its ugly head. The closest thing to the quality content Liz has been so known for these days deals with either announcements for Liz’s other ventures or cute notes to or from friends.

Liz, like so many of us, has attempted to provide the mob with her share of lists and “bits” that can be devoured in dubious, dimwitted, daily dabbling, devoid of anything akin to the divine or even diversity for that matter. The good news is, it is not her fault. Nearly everyone I know is in the same boat. For me, just scribbling a line or two is out of the question in the first place as I have “happy fingers”, and would rather not write than to just “fill” the blog. I have done it on occasion, but since my writing tends away from journalistic joy and toward intellectual gibberish - it is sort of a fore gone conclusion that I run our of words.

And The “How Do They Do It?” Bloggers

As I mentioned, there are still many great bloggers who somehow seem to maintain quality while efforting many other tasks as well. I am certainly not in this category, but Maki of DoshDosh pursues everything marketing and shows consistent quality of content and commitment throughout his endeavors. Considering that only the multi-author blogs like ReadWrite and others would seem to have an advantage on the “dummy scape”, this is something of an accomplishment in my book.

Perhaps one advantage Maki has is that he is acutely aware of both the “wisdom?” of the crowd, while possessing the ability to find a happy medium between the two extremes of content production? This post reflects this theoretical ability to ride the fence of quality versus popular reader laziness. Many, including myself and the other bloggers mentioned have interjected these strategies onto the Web landscape, but somehow some of us find it hard to follow our own advice. I mean this as no criticism, for if it were one, I would be as guilty as any of at least not producing enough content.

Original Thought

Expecting the thriving mob to know what is good for it is lunacy obviously. However, if we all fall into the same “dummy trap” and are either coerced or rationally drawn to posting garbage, how will anyone benefit in the end? We are either part of the problem or part of the solution. For my money, it is better to post something worth reading once a month than to spam the Web with Twitter like idiocy for the sake of “being found”. I remember when Twitter came out, I actually refused to even beta test it out of utter disbelief. According to Wikipedia; “a Twit is an insignificant, foolish or annoying person”. Need I say more?

As for original thought, Liz, Ilker and Maki are some of the most creative, intelligent and resourceful people ever to blog a word. What does it say about the Web or life in general if pressures and outside forces cause any of us to diverge from the pursuit of excellence? The problem is that people will always choose the easy way. It is hard wired into each and every one of us to be efficient and to take the path of least resistance.

I use all the networks and respond to hundreds of worthless Stumble and Digg request every week. The first story I found when checking into the most popular social media network Digg just now was about ordering from the “top secret” menu of fast food eateries (from a site full of ultimate lists no less)? Now there is a “must know” for everyone on the planet! We should all perhaps examine the “Twitt” within and discover whether we want to just be aggravating as hell or actually do something with this tool called the Web.

Editor’s Note: For those of you migrating from Digg, here is a simple test of your acumen.