I recently read a story about USA Today claiming that they were the first media outlet to report an entire story, top to bottom, from Twitter.  Isn’t this one of the most ridiculous things you’ve ever heard? It’s no wonder newspapers are struggling, even those with good web presences.

I, for one, am sick and tired of everyone clamoring to be the first to tweet from some insane location, like space, or during kidney surgery. I’m sick and tired of hearing the words Twitter and tweeting. I’m sick of it, and I use it… that’s how bad it’s gotten.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve heard way too many references to Twitter. It’s trendy to mention them in whatever medium you’re working in, and it proves that you’re in touch with popular culture, I guess.

On an episode of Desperate Housewives, Tom Scavo said that he was asked about Twitter in an interview. How cool that the show is up on current trends! Blech… I just threw up a little. I read the comics section of the Washington Post a few weeks ago and Doonesbury — which I hate with a passion – had an entire strip devoted to tweeting. It’s like they’re saying, “We know young people think comic strips are an ancient medium, but look, we’re in touch with you guyz.” That’s right, guyz with a “z,” because that’s how cool and fresh they are!

To all of them, I say, shut the hell up. Stop throwing trendy buzz words into whatever you’re producing/writing/reporting/etc. to make you seem more in touch with society and young people than you really are.
 
Like I said, I use Twitter. I like using it. But, I’m not dumb enough to think that people actually care that I just ate some yogurt, or that later today I have to go to my part time job at a movie theater. But, USA Today touts their tweet-reporting a story like they just landed on the moon. What is that?!?!?!

Twitter is mostly used for pointless things, and I don’t have a problem with that. But, let’s not make it out to be some great communication tool that is the future of reporting. It’s not. It’s just a way for people to let other people know about the pointless nonsense going on in their lives.