As new platforms and technologies emerge, older platforms are forced to evolve and diversify; or face being left in their wake.
Twitter, a platform that so recently seemed essential (think The Twitter Revolution) might be heading (incrementally) towards obsolescence as alternate apps such as Snapchat, WhatsApp and Instagram take centre stage.
What initially made Twitter so appealing was its capacity to connect individuals in real time through short bursts of information – enabling users to send and read short 140-character messages called tweets. The platform however, is not evolving, executives are departing to alternate ventures, stocks are flailing and critics are suggesting that this is largely to do with the company’s lack of distinctive leadership or sense of direction.
When asked in 2011 ‘what Twitter is?’ the co-founder and CEO, Jack Dorsey replied, “we don’t have an answer, and that’s ok”. Although he was likely insinuating that Twitter can be whatever the user wants it to be – five years down the track we are observing loss of momentum – as this platform of 320 million users abdicates its title of ‘indispensable’.
Leave a Reply