I decided to get more active on Twitter and find out if the phenomenon has anything to do with the new world of work. Here is what I think so far:
- if communication is an integral part of the new world of work then Twitter certainly adds a dimension to the chats, emails and blogs already out there
- if networking is an important part of the new world of work the same applies as above
- the main challenge for an oldie like me is to keep all my different communication channels up at the same time – on several devices (but thank god for my iPhone!)
- another challenge is to remember that chunks of time are needed for focused thinking and producing – a whole day can pass with lots of fun twittering, chatting, but little work done
- some communication is directly work related, but most indirectly related (at best)
- on the other hand one could argue that communication = work (but I would also add that most communication = work does not generate income – at least for me)
- to cite Kevin Kelly – the network is the economy!
- so what Twitter helps me do is build my network – which potentially can be leveraged for work – paid and unpaid.
Does that make sense?
Hm, this kind of turned into a philosophical inquiry about what work actually is made up of in this new world.
//jan