they monopolizing news

over the last few days, i've experienced what i think is an interesting phenomenom in the way information travels. microblogging/tweeting/updating facebook status is changing how quickly information gets out there and also who can access that information. if you don't know, twitter is basically just facebook status updates, but you can update a whole buncha different ways, like web, texts, im, etc. you can also receive other people's updates through those means too.

example 1: a few days ago, i heard that a trailer for the new marvel movie x-men origins: wolverine was debuted at comic con in sd. someone happened to tape the trailer and leaked it to the internet. being a big marvel fan (though not too happy with my marvel stock (MVL) today), i'm anxious to see the movie. i scoured the internet for a copy of the leaked trailer, but it looked like i was too late. after i gave up on my search, i asked the twitter/facebook community, and within half an hour i had a link (though the video there has since been removed too). the movie looks pretty sweet btw.

example 2: as you probably well know, there was a substantial earthquake in southern california a few days ago. i found out about earthquake through facebook and twitter before i read about it on the news. dozens of my friends had updates relating to the earthquake within thirty minutes, and one of my friends even had an update three minutes after the reported time of the earthquake.

example 3: unfortunately, i heard some tragic news from a friend of mine last night. however, before i talked to her, i saw hints of the news on facebook a few hours before and was curious as to what happened.

anyway, i just find it pretty interesting how news/information can flow these days given new channels, such as twitter and facebook. i think twitter will become much more useful/interesting once i have many more other i people know using it as well ... so join and add me!