In our class readings this week, Erick Schonfeld ("Jump into the Stream"), Nova Spivack
("Welcome to the Stream: The Next Phase of the Web"), and Ken Fromm ("The Real-Time Web: A Primer, Part 1") herald the beginning of a new era, in which information flows past us in a constant stream of small pieces instead of being archived and displayed on extensive web pages updated at much less frequent intervals. They argue that our attention spans are shortening to match the speed and size of this new conversational flow. They certainly address some critical differences between the real-time Web and destination websites. Note, however, that all three do so in lengthy blog posts on dedicated web pages. If the end of the destination web era means that there is no longer a need for destination web pages, then there should be no need to explain this on such web pages. The conversation would have already taken place on Twitter, flowed through everyone paying attention, and submerged the remaining islands of fixed web pages in the rising stream.
In fact, though, just as chatty interaction and keeping on top of breaking news appeals to basic human desires, so does more lengthy analysis and discussion. Humans make sense of the world by putting pieces together to form meaningful patterns. Dipping into the ongoing stream of information and ideas is not enough—we all need the opportunity to put those pieces together, to respond to what we learn, and to expand our thoughts beyond an immediate response. That’s why we write blog posts, articles, and books in addition to tweets. That’s why so many tweets refer to blog posts, articles, videos, webinars, and books.
Furthermore, in "The Destination Web is Morphing: Pay Attention", David Lee King reminds us that many of our patrons are not participating in this new information flow, and that even those who do still need the destination website and the library building. People still listen to radio in spite of the introduction of television. The relative strengths of different technologies vary, and we can use them to accomplish different things—no need to declare one approach dead just because something new has arisen.
Hi Jeanine
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an excellent point. Twitter is just another medium in addition to the many that already exist. In line with Twitter’s bird logo and term “feed,” I view the manner in which it handles information very much like the tossing of breadcrumbs. There are tidbits of information strewn everywhere, with some leading to feasts of more substance. It’s all about choices I guess. Thanks!
I love your analogy, Lana! Breadcrumbs it is. (So are we looking for the way home or for the gingerbread cottage?)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, Jeanine. I have friends who have taken it upon principle to NOT have a twitter account. While many people who use Twitter have the objective of spreading information, that information usually isn't all the substantial. I think that Twitter is just another medium of spreading information around. And while some people prefer water colors to chalk, or clay to paper mache, there will be those who LOVE Twitter and those who don't. I had a Twitter account before this week's assignment and do I use it? Not really. It's just not my medium of choice. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that some tools seem to suit each of us better than others. I have noticed that it takes me quite a while to truly make up my mind on what I like, though. Sometimes I don’t like something just because I’m not comfortable with it yet. I’ve also noticed that my relationship with a particular tool changes as my circumstances change. When I first started using Facebook a couple of years ago, I checked in once a week—or once every two weeks—and felt overwhelmed with the number of messages from my small group of friends and family. Now I check in 5-6 days per week, and find myself eager to hear what people have been up to.
ReplyDeleteI think I’d enjoy using Twitter on behalf of a library, but I don’t know how much I’ll use it for my own purposes…guess I’ll wait and see.
I agree that the beginning of one thing doesn't lead to the demise of another but it does seem like we're morphing doesn't it? And I agree with Spivac about our perception of information streaming around us. And yet... I wonder if the world is changing or not. We have this technology and move fast to utilize it (or be utilized by it?)What if the technology is just a way to say hello all over again? Is this making any sense? With twitter, blogs, lifestreaming we're all just chatting away after a long time not talking and being so isolated in the post modern world. Granted it's a lot of technology to learn but that's just technology. It still seems a version of chatting across the back fence in a small community. Everybody sort of knows everybody and we all talk about everything. The community has grown world wide but we're still chatting over the back fence. I started face book a while back as well and now check it daily if not several times a day. And of course get facebook updates and now twitter updates on my phone as well. Anyway, I'm beginning to enjoy the stream - feeling like I have some control with it. I hope.
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