It's not easy being a trailblazer. You have to constantly put up with people following your lead.
Maybe you bought your first Ducati in 1992, before every over-moneyed squid decided they were "cool" around 1996 (remember the movie "Fled" -- the closest Stephen Baldwin got to being a real actor). Maybe you owned your first Mopar muscle car in 1984, before everyone decided anything with a Pentastar built between 1967 and 1972 was a $50,000-plus car (unless it had a Hemi, then it was a $1,000,000 car). Maybe you bailed on print publishing in 1998 to go to "...Ed-something? Some Internet thing?..." (as my then-co-workers referred to Edmunds.com) while everyone at Petersen Publishing thought you were crazy.
Well, here we go again. I started on Twitter last June, but in recent weeks the "buzz" on Twitter has nearly eclipsed the pre-election Obama buzz.
There's no denying Twitter's sudden explosion in pop-culture. I've heard about it on mainstream news programs and read about it in a dozen articles recently. I mean, even Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore joined in the past two weeks -- and if they don't represent pop culture (actually, multi-generational pop culture) who does?
So Twitter is officially "in" now. Glad you all caught up, and welcome to the now. But there are still plenty of people who don't like Twitter, and these folks certainly don't plan on using it. When I hear their comments as to why "Twitter is stupid" I'm unable to contain a chuckle.
Let's take the primary issues from the "No on Twitter!" crowd one at a time, shall we?
"It's a stupid name!" Yeah, uh-huh. Stupid compared to what? "Blog" or "iPod" or "Text Message?" Gee, if only Twitter could sound as hip and cool as those words do...
"It's a stupid concept!" Yes, the idea of having people spit out what they are doing at any given moment in 140 character messages seems silly. The next thing you know people will transition their diaries online and write everything down electronically for all the world to see. Wait...that's already happened. It's called a BLOG! And plenty of people thought they were stupid too -- back in 2004.
"The 140 character limit is stupid!" Yes...or maybe it forces people to be really efficient with their words. After all, if brevity is the soul of wit, than Twitter is forced hilarity (and if you follow the right people, that's exactly what you'll find).
The reality is that Twitter, like email, text messaging and blogging, is yet another way to communicate. Its look, feel and functionality is as different from those earlier forms of communication as they are from each other, but all of them have a potential role to fill.
Some people call Twitter "micro-blogging," and if that's how you have to think about it (and what you have to call it) to get your mind around the concept, fine. And while Twitter could be nothing more than a collection of remarks about what someone is eating or thinking or watching on TV (and some of it is), the medium is capable of far more.
For me it's mostly about what I'm driving and my primary thoughts on the vehicle (there's no room for the secondary thoughts). It's also about immediacy. I can tell people what I'm about to drive and (if they are following me) they can immediately picture the car I'm in. They can even ask questions or suggest things to pay attention to before I drive the car home, something they can't do if I blog about a vehicle after I've driven it. Even cooler, I've put an application on my iPhone that let's me upload photos, along with my text message, from anywhere I can get a cell signal.
Please don't view this blog post as an attempt to convert Twitter-haters into Twitter-lovers. I didn't have an interest in explaining the future of publishing to magazine people in 1998, and I don't care to force folks into an efficient and immediate form of electronic mass communication today.
But Twitter has become a dominant element within this blog. I thought I should at least explain why I started using it and why I continue to do so. Beyond serving as a quick and painless form of broadcasting messages it also makes for a great information tool. Whether it's a plane crash on the Hudson River or who won the Best Actor award I can find it on Twitter as fast or faster than any news site, or even through an RSS feed.
If you want to follow me without actually registering with Twitter just bookmark http://twitter.com/karlbrauer
The messages that appear on my Twiiter profile page eventually (within about 15 minutes) migrate over to this blog page. But if I Twitter just before leaving work (which I often do) any comments you leave on this page probably won't reach me until I next check the blog (which can be hours). If you want to officially "follow me" just go to the Twitter homepage linked at the beginning of this article, sign up and search for "karlbrauer" -- or don't.
After all, Twitter is stupid.
By dougtheeng
on February 24, 2009
06:50 AM
I've reserved my comments on Twitter, but since its your topic today, I'll throw them out there.
I don't think Twitter is necessarily bad, I just found your previous format much more interesting from my readers point of view. As far as I'm concerned, the Talk Back Tuesday (and any other single blog post you still do) is worth a hundred twitters. Although I still read the twitters on a daily basis, I rarely feel the need to comment on "Ford GT Friday", etc.
As you've mentioned before, it took much more time and effort to write a blog every day - as someone who also works all day and sometimes all evening, I completely understand the fact that time is money.
Either way, I'm still glad we get a blog or 2 each week. This isn't a criticism, just my thoughts.
By vacagrande
on February 24, 2009
06:52 AM
I never had a problem with Twitter... it's not for me as I don't really have a need to keep the world updated 24/7 on my life (8:15am - at work, 8:35am - still at work, eating bagel...). I like it for this blog as you can give more instant impressions of test cars, but what really made me a believer was following the Twitter accounts of the riders and team bosses from the Tour of California. Real-time feedback and inside pics and stories from the people I'm following every day, can't beat that.
By 1487
on February 24, 2009
07:09 AM
"twitter haters"? really? Its more like people dont care. Nothing worthwhile is written in 140 characters. Period. You would be better off consolidating your precious time on meaningful blog entries. I was unware that people wanted to know what you (or anyone else) may be doing at any particular point of the day. As with so many things today Twittering is about quantity, not quality. Instead of spending time putting together a few well thought out blog entries a week we get a duluge of one sentence blurbs that really dont spur any discussion or provide much useful info. Sure the info presented is too limited to be worth a damn, but at least we can read 5 updates a day.
i dont think the fact that "everyone's doing it" makes it better. A lot of people like 22" rims and like to wear their pants 6" below their wastes too but that doesnt mean it makes more sense now than it did when such things were not widely accepted in pop culture.
By 1487
on February 24, 2009
07:11 AM
"As you've mentioned before, it took much more time and effort to write a blog every day - as someone who also works all day and sometimes all evening, I completely understand the fact that time is money. "
When your "job" is to write about and drive cars I am confused as to how writing a car blog would represent a huge burden on your time. If the blog was about politics (Ok, well it often is these days) or unrelated matters maybe I could see your point about "work" interfering with blogging. The blog material is supposed to be related to the industry and cars that are at the center of his job.
By chavis10
on February 24, 2009
07:27 AM
More self-aggrandizement. What a surprise. And you wonder why people think you have an ego issue... You are you own biggest fan.
By cowbell
on February 24, 2009
07:27 AM
This isn't an opinion on twitter, but I think like most people who have commented so far, I come to this page, and if I don't see a full blog entry, I move on.
By editor_karl
on February 24, 2009
07:47 AM
"You are you own biggest fan."
ABSOLUTELY! And I even feed bad for those who clearly aren't their own biggest fans...
By ddastardly
on February 24, 2009
08:41 AM
A shame that this week's Talkback Tuesday has been squandered on explaining the virtues of Twitter and not a car related topic which is the reason why most people come to this page.
By dougtheeng
on February 24, 2009
08:43 AM
"When your "job" is to write about and drive cars I am confused as to how writing a car blog would represent a huge burden on your time."
1487, I wrote my comment based on the fact that I don't know Karl's job description. I'm not familiar with how an internet journalism site is organized and as such, I don't know if writing 500-1000 words a day for a blog is indeed part of the job of the "editor in chief". After all, writing a blog is quite different from writing/editing various road tests - which, might I add, do not tend to have Karl's name as author.
Keep in mind that I'm not defending the change from blogs to Twitters...I actually mostly agree with your opinion on Twitters, 1487.
By heffling
on February 24, 2009
08:58 AM
On one hand, I agree with Karl. Twitter is another way to communicate. If any of my internet friends used it, it would be a way for me to keep track of their lives.
However, I don't like the use of Twitter on this Blog. I view Edmunds as a professional website. And as a professional journalist, a very important part of your job is the ability to communicate. By limiting yourself almost exclusively on this blog to the use of twitter, you are restricting yourself as a journalist.
While "Brevity (may be) the soul of wit", it also limits communication to your audience. For the most part, you can't say anything meaningful in 140 character.
The use of it in this blog strikes me as too much of voyeurism. I personally don't care what car you will be driving on what day. I would much prefer to have in depth discussions about the merits of a vehicle or the ramifications of the latest goverment decisions regarding auto standards.
Of course, in keeping with the "non-professional" vein, I feel that "The Mechanic" articles need to be put to pasture. You shouldn't have to reduce yourselves to pushing peoples buttons and in general promoting the Internet ****wad Theory (Normal Person + Anonimity + Audience = Total ****wad).
Really, do you feel that what's being done represents good journalism?
By gooney911
on February 24, 2009
09:02 AM
I seem to be in the minority here, but I like the tweets. 140 characters certainly doesn't provide the means to write a full blog post, but it's great for quick thoughts or questions.
The title Editor in Chief generally means that the person who holds that title is ultimately responsible for the whole of whatever publication for which he/she is Editor in Chief. In this case, I would imagine that Karl is responsible for overseeing the entire Edmunds.com portion of the site; including design, functionality, and content submitted by all the other contributors to the site.
By 1487
on February 24, 2009
09:25 AM
We often hear talk of how American automakers got in trouble by not giving consumers what they wanted and instead chosing to shine up sh*t and call it gold. The "customers" in this case are not fans of Twittering and do not see it's value. Let's remember the readers are what's important here, not ego stroking.
By pat1usmc
on February 24, 2009
09:56 AM
When was the last time one of these twitters actually had something of importance in it? All I ever read is what awesome car you are getting to drive home at night. I don't think they fit into this type of forum at all.
By blackadder5639
on February 24, 2009
09:58 AM
Twitter is all well and good but no replacement for when you actually had a proper blog entry every day. Of course, I understand why you switched to twitter, but I'm just saying it's nowhere near as good as your previous proper blog entries......
By gooney911
on February 24, 2009
10:06 AM
When the American automakers stopped giving the customers what they wanted, the customers moved on. If you dislike the tweets, you can simply ignore them, or go find another blog. There are obviously other things that need to be done that are higher priorities than this blog. So to sit there, and rant about how the posts are done, without an understanding of everything that goes on on the site aside from this blog, is pointless.
By ksm1
on February 24, 2009
10:26 AM
It is not about is “Twitter” stupid or not. It is about the time and place for use. If you twittered yourself notes for a real blog/article that is great. The twitters as a replacement for real blogs/articles is stupid. If I were your boss I’d tell you to twitter all you want, but I would still want the daily blog/article.
By pat1usmc
on February 24, 2009
10:33 AM
Well the last two twitters were actually informative. I wouldn't mind that kind of information sporadically throughout the day...
By editor_karl
on February 24, 2009
11:03 AM
"If I were your boss I’d tell you to twitter all you want, but I would still want the daily blog/article."
My boss is far more concerned with traffic growth for the site overall than the popularity of this one page. Thankfully I'm delivering (and focusing most of my energy on that goal versus doing full blogs five days a week is one of the reasons why).
Remember, most "Editor in Chiefs" do ONE "editorial" a month. I'm doing at least four, plus the Twitter feed.
By kurtamaxxxguy
on February 24, 2009
11:18 AM
Twitter appears to be the electronic equivalent of the Post-it note; Very useful for quick remarks or brief comments.
If the change in Karl's and other Editors' focus improves the evolving Edmunds site, that's appreciated!
Meanwhile there are many auto sites that dispense daily blogs, though much of that is rant-rail rather than helpful info.
By ksm1
on February 24, 2009
12:55 PM
Karl,
Fair enough. From your comments I guess the twitters are working in driving traffic to the site. Thankfully to all, I am in another business than web publishing.
As for the number of editorials, does it not depend on the frequency of the publication? A monthly publication - Car and Driver versus my daily newspaper that has a daily editorial?
By heffling
on February 24, 2009
02:29 PM
So, why not merge your Talk Back Tuesday blog with the Edmunds Daily and create a new section for Edmunds Twitters?
By editor_karl
on February 24, 2009
03:16 PM
That's an idea we've talked about.
By oberg
on February 25, 2009
08:01 AM
"I come to this page, and if I don't see a full blog entry, I move on." -- Cowbell.
Couldn't agree more. Twitter is fine for pop culture references and people with a two-second attention span. Overall, the twitter entries in this blog have little, if any, informative content.
Karl, this used to be the most informative autoblog in my daily rounds. Now it has been eclipsed by other blogs on this website, and even more so by blogs like Autoextremist and TTAC. I fully understand the sustainability issue with writing daily blog entries, but most of us read auto blogs for content and the twitter entries with the rare full blog entry is not meeting the needs of your base.
(671 characters, and actual content)
By 1487
on February 25, 2009
08:59 AM
"So to sit there, and rant about how the posts are done, without an understanding of everything that goes on on the site aside from this blog, is pointless."
Is it pointless? If Karl doesnt want feedback he's using the wrong medium. Whether or not I ignore the content here (and I ignore much of the Twitter nonsense) is irrelevant with respect to the usefulness of Twitter posts. I think those who want to live vicariously through Karl and wish they were paid to drive free cars find value in Twitter posts. No one else does as far as I can tell based on the comments.
By mnorm1
on February 27, 2009
09:47 AM
"My boss is far more concerned with traffic growth for the site..."
Since the switch, I now visit other sites such as TTAC, something I didn't do before. I'm with Cowbell and Oberg. Not all change is improvement.
By tiruvan
on February 27, 2009
12:22 PM
Nah! I used to enjoy it more when you wrote a full blown article every weekday. But unless you are a full time writer I can totally understand the stress it can cause.
I have nothing against twitter and I don't think its stupid at all but I certainly feel this isn't the right place for it. You also need to consider the fact that giving out information on what you are currently driving home for the evening could be an invite to car theft.
As for twitter it saved the life of a young American stuck in the Middle East. I am sure you would have heard how a single word (arrested) typed via his cell phone got him out of there safely.
By mozzz77788
on March 1, 2009
10:14 AM
I have nothing against Twitter, as micro-blogging is like updating your Facebook status which actually makes a nice distraction when you're bored.
However, I miss hearing your actual thoughts and expertise. Now all I see is you talk about your uneventful commutes every day, because I really don't care much about what car you saw on the way home, and I think most readers agree with me. I now literally spend an average of 45 seconds reading your blog before I move on to the Long-Term one because this Twittering here is taking the edge off of your blog.
If I wanted to know about your daily routine, I'd add you on Facebook and read your status. I really hope you will eventually read all of these comments and at least partially return to the more traditional format. After all, we don't need your Twitter updates here, we could just read them at Twitter