Anybody remember CB radios? They are still around but in limited use. Back in the 70s they were all the rage. You could instantly connect with anybody within a mile or two — or farther if they had a base station. Technically you had to have a license from the FCC to operate one. Most people didn’t bother but I did — the call sign was something like KIA 5387 — because I was actually a member of a club in San Antonio. It was fun for year or so. And it was useful considering that I drove all over South Texas every month.
The appeal of instant communication without having to say anything important is expressed today through phone texting, Facebook updates (especially from smart phones), LinkedIn updates (for professionals) and Twitter, just to name a few. But Twitter already is experiencing some of the burn-out associated with, what for many people are, faddish technologies. It is often more distraction than diversion, taking up time and mental processing space better utilized for activities that pay the bills or provide more substantial benefit (like watching TV).
This hit critical mass for me mentally when Buzz hit my GMail Inbox. I am currently listed on Namez, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook, Twitter and now Buzz.  For now I only care about two of those: LinkedIn and Facebook. LinkedIn is great for tracking your professional accomplishments and associations. And Facebook is great for everything else. My family and friends (including those long-lost) are on Facebook. Everything else seems like more work than it’s worth to me.
Just as CB radios returned to their core market: trucking and marine, I think Twitter will eventually return to its core constituency: media and celebrity marketing. If I were in the media where it is critically important to know the minute a story breaks, Twitter would be indispensable. Â Tweeting is really just a form of broadcast texting (a feature already available on most phones). And this I have found useful in one particular context. My sister acts as caregiver for my parents and keeps all of the family apprised when she takes them to the doctor or if any other situations occur that may warrant instant communication without her needing to make individual phone calls.
The difference in usage between Twitter and phone texting is the notion of “following” somebody. And this is where I think Twitter will fall back into a niche. I can’t see serious adults continuing to allow themselves to get caught up in the incessant inane chatter that makes up so much of tweeting. I don’t see the concept going away, necessarily. Just that it will be more controlled and more integrated with comprehensive social and professional networking strategies.
