It's the same reason why someone has a Web page or why people feel comfortable going on reality TV.

Twitter is not a technology. It's a conversation and it's happening with or without you.

It's the same reason why someone has a Web page or why people feel comfortable going on reality TV.

The 800 pound gorilla just entered the blogosphere, with Google launching its blog search.

Some of the power has shifted from companies to people. Using social media tools (blogs, wikis, tagging, etc.) more individuals are creating semi-spontaneous 'groundswells' of opinions to which companies and other institutions are realizing they must respond. From marketing to consumers organizations are being pulled into engaging with individuals.

From the consumer point of view, there may be questions about whether you'll have to be an AOL subscriber to get Time magazine, ... That combination of media with the access is one through which you may be able to block access to your competitors' subscribers.

We're all learning here; the best listeners will end up the smartest.