Tweet, meet, eat. Neat

Another day, another Tweetup. Well, sorta, but I’m now a veteran of the gatherings of folks who meet on the Internet networking site.

I had fun last night (7/9/09) at an Atlanta restaurant. And I think such Tweetups, which happen everywhere, do show how people of various backgrounds communicate and rendezvous these days.

First, let’s put things in perspective. Twitter is getting lots of buzz these days. Newspapers, which are struggling mightily because of the Internet, are writing about Twitter, Facebook, etc., like crazy. This past week, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution carried a story about pro golfer Stewart Cink and his “tweets.”

CNN has a daily news show hosted by Rick Sanchez that highlights the entire social media spectrum. Sanchez regularly reads and displays “tweets” on the air, though anyone who uses the service should know that nothing is guaranteed to be verified before you see it online. And even ESPN is plugging in, carrying a story this week about NFL receiver Chad Ochocinco, an obnoxious Terrell Owens wannabe, and his plans to “tweet” during games this season. Hmmm, we’ll see what the commissioner thinks about that.

Of course, everyone is aware about the recent use of Twitter during and after the controversial election in Iran. Such was the protest online there over the outcome that some suggested that Twitter be nominated for the Nobel Prize.

However, just how mainstream is Twitter? In Iran, hard to say. How many Iranians have cell phones, mobile devices or even Internet access? In the U.S., even if there are 10 million users, how many are reliable? Even so, that pales behind the number of people in the U.S. who are on food stamps — about 30 million, or 10 percent of the population.

But the people who use Twitter are generally educated people who have money and influence. Many news organizations use it now to get breaking news out during the day. And many politicians and prominent business people use it. For them, exposure is their lifeblood.

Just last night, I was around a sales person for a Web design company, a marketing expert, and an interactive writing professional, among others. Those are the kind of people who get the attention of other advertisers and marketers.

And my personal experience shows that Twitter is gaining ground. I took another video at an Atlanta Tweetup in March, and quickly posted it on CNN’s iReport site. Well, the next day, an alert CNN.com employee, Nicole Saidi, spotted it and called me with some questions. Lo and behold, CNN.com linked to my Tweetup video in the 12th paragraph of this story. You’ll notice Stephanie Frost of www.zerogcreative.com in both of my videos, as a kind of tribute.

And if you check my Twitterstream (I’m @bsteve76), you’ll see some pics that I “tweeted” live last night. (And here’s another excellent account, with videos, from last night’s event by @stephaniealloyd.)

So think of Twitter as the 21st century version of instant messaging. As the Internet changes everything from mass communications to airline reservations, it’ll change the way people make friendships and do business.

Poor? Not these folks

Debra Poor, daughter Kimberly, July 2005, Orange County, CA

 

Turkey and tree trimmings are wonderful, but there’s always been something special about Independence Day for me. I started my first job out of college on the Bicentennial (July 4, 1976), and more recently, I built some warm, wonderful memories in California with some folks that everyone needs to know about.

A Mary Kay brand I’ll buy

 

I recently went on a date with a woman who has a Ph. D. Still, I did not feel like quite the slacker then as I did when I checked in on the recent book-launch party for longtime friend and novelist Mary Kay Andrews in Atlanta.

It was more like a product rollout, with themed T-shirts, raffles for a cake and martinis under a tent for the newest novel, “The Fixer Upper.”  These are the trappings that come with celebrity status. She qualifies, even if you don’t see her on morning network TV shows. At least she does in Atlanta and the Southeast, where she’s been writing novels (under two names now) since the early ’90s. (However, the author DOES get plenty of media attention. Here’s a recent video from CNN.com.)

Atlanta TV looks at itself

Monica Pearson of WSB is interviewed by Grayson Daughters of WaySouth Media.

 Terms like “flipper” and “hybrid” were discussed. But the scene was not the Georgia Aquarium or a car dealer. Rather, an Atlanta Press Club luncheon was the site as news directors of the four major local network affiliates formed a panel to discuss how their industry is being affected by economic and digital factors.

“Flipper” is TV jargon for a worker who gets user-generated video online, a rapidly growing sector made popular by YouTube and CNN’s iReport. And “hybrid” is a worker who shoots, edits and writes for his/her own videos. Both are gaining popularity as local TV stations have to cope with a slow economy and more viewers and ad dollars going online. (And you thought newspapers were the only ones with these problems.)

Glavine: Another athlete too far

Tom Glavine. John Smoltz. There are others, of course, but the common thread is that they are notable and wealthy professional athletes who have created controversy recently by extending their careers while well past their prime.

Glavine, a 300-game winning pitcher, was released by the Braves this week while on the verge of rejoining the major-league club for his final season. He had improved steadily in three minor-leage rehab starts after arm surgery. The Braves, however, never allowed him to make the big team and opted for pitcher Tommy Hanson (who had better stats in the minors than Glavine).

GM: Memories still drive me

James C. Burns: Picture taken in 1973

 

I’ve only got one foot in the grave (and one foot on the pedal, as Tom Petty says). However, if I were six feet under, I’d have something else in common with my father (above).

From reading this blog, you know I’m one of many who is lamenting the critical situation of American newspapers in the Internet era. And today’s filing for bankruptcy protection by General Motors, the only employer my father ever had as an adult, undoubtedly has him shaking his head in the hereafter. (He died in 1982 after more than 20 years with the automaker.)

Dogs-Gators: Tweak the tradition

It’s Memorial Day, a great American tradition. Travel, barbecue, the Indy 500 and rising gasoline prices.

So, I want to discuss another tradition, one that happens every November in the Southeast and one that leaves thousands of college football fans with a large hangover: the Georgia-Florida football game. (Or Florida-Georgia, depending on your allegiance. And many Florida newspapers insist on this, since it’s always played in Jacksonville, technically a neutral site.)

More CNN fresh air

I continue to marvel at the difference in some top TV personalities’ public appearances and their on-air presentations. Could be that when they are on the air, they are telling the audience what the research numbers tell them to. When they are in person, they are speaking to a much more targeted audience, and one more open to controversial comments.

The latest example is John King, the network’s top White House correspondent who delivered some insightful comments to an Atlanta Press Club audience this week. King is based in Washington D.C., though the connection is that the network’s main infrastructure is in Atlanta.

NY Times gives up again

We all know these are tough times for newspapers, at least for the dailies in larger cities. Readers and advertisers are flocking online, and printing and delivery costs are strong burdens in this recessionary time.

Still, I think the Gray Lady, also known as the New York Times, oughta feel some shame in its plans to simply close The Boston Globe, the most influential newspaper in New England and one I personally thought had one of the best sports sections in America. Such well known sports personalities as Peter Gammons, Dan Shaughnessy and Bob Ryan have ties there.

CNN on, off air

I just finished watching an American Morning piece on CNN about China becoming America’s banker, and the dangers thereof. And that’s becoming old news.

But CNN’s own financial guru, Ali Velshi, had a fresh perspective on that Wednesday for those listening to his speech at the Atlanta Press Club.