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I love Twitter. It is one of those little things in life that you start doing and wonder why the heck you are doing it.  … And then a few weeks later you wonder what you did without it.

I have been watching Twitter develop over the past 18 months while people work out how to use it. Some use it to connect with colleagues with electronic water cooler type conversations in breaks in work, others trying to sell things with all the tact of an Amway salesperson and still others just doing what they do naturally – sharing ideas and tips to help make other people’s lives easier. Pretty much like life really – everyone communicates differently.

Today I watched another side of Twitter – the community development side. Here in Brisbane we have been hit with a massive all day storm. Flash floods were everywhere, people cut off from loved ones and accidents at every corner.

This is where Twitter really started to hit its stride.  All day people shared photos of roads near their part of the city, updates on road closures, info on which schools were closed and where there were major problems. People shared fears, questions and just connected with other locals to feel a little bit safer.

Through the use of a hashtag #bneflood people used in their Tweets, through Twitter search people collated and tracked this information faster than the traditional media could update things. Some Twitter users even set up Google maps for other Twitterers to see where all the problems were. It was fascinating watching the main local ABC radio station – @612brisbane, using the Twitter stream to help update listeners.

The lines between social media and traditional media were very blurred today. Twitter in effect created hundreds of “one the spot” reporters around the city – all willing to share their information and their experiences. Watching the stream of updates on my Tweetdeck was totally compelling from a human perspective. Each Brisbane person was making the world just a bit smaller and more connected.

The storm has been subsiding for the past hour and the typical Aussie humour is starting to show through the stream. People are beginning to laugh at their fears and to lighten the mood. Lots of wry comments are appearing as well as gratitude for getting home safely.

I had heard of the Twitter effect in the Victorian bush-fires. Today I experienced it first hand with the Brisbane floods.

There is certainly something to be said for the immediacy of Twitter. Twitter is just that little bit closer to my heart after today – and I have met a whole pile of brilliant and interesting locals in the process.

If you haven’t yet experienced Twitter, it is worth trying. I look forward to connecting with you on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingridcliff

Until next time

Ingrid Cliff

We put your business into words

Heart Harmony – Freelance Writer