In human, we trust

I had mentioned in my first blog post about 'following' certain folks in twitter, which is rather my raison d'etre in this sort of 'online diary'. I look at it more as a way to know the opinion of a select few on some topics. It could be Ian Chappell of Australia on cricket or Paul Krugman of US on economics (politics?). Of course, if Chappell or Krugman decide to go 'crazy' from next year onwards, ie tomorrow ;), I can stop following them. Such opinions may also throw light on how people are in other parts of the world or country or even state. It looks like many people are indeed using twitter for the reason I mentioned in my first blog post - I knew it 10 minutes before you.

Twitter: a cult and not a cure seems to reemphasize the same. I think leanings of people are being converted or put it mildly streamlined into one particular disposition or opinion towards another. People without their knowledge may become part of a 'mob'. To quote from the article,

given the right kind of push, ideas or products can suddenly gain traction and pass around from person to person like a virus.

Unlike most advertisement campaigns, twitter is novel in the sense that it is not only 'popular reaching out to the public' but 'public reaching out to the popular'. Popular is NEVER right or put it mildly, may not be always right.

I had also posted regarding my online experience and it seems to be well in line with this 'philosophy'. 'Like-minded', rather equally foolish people join together and celebrate their idiocy. I think the bigger point is the repeat of time cycle. People who once 'group'ed together based on language or religion or region or caste are now 'group'ing together in terms of apparent 'connectivity'. It is interesting that the 'actual' person they are grouping with does not matter. They dont even need a face or voice, just someone responsive to their ideas, however ridiculous it might be. There may be also some 'status' associated with whom you are following in such group activities. To quote,

Faced with any kind of group activity, our first response is: do any of them know how to use Twitter?

and

Social networking sites create only a deafening banality

. Just like schooling became another form of segregation among atleast Indians, these online forums are trying to become another. The article seems to suggest that 'reliance' on online opinions is high and it does look like people are relying on opinions, not of their father or brother, but unseen person sitting miles away hitting the keyboard. Finally it is another human that they trust. Well, who is that human that I trust? Well, I dont care.

Oh, and happy New Year. ;)