The Twitter Reinforcer

Having unexplainably become addicted to Twitter.com, I’ve set out to rationalize understand where the motivation to participate comes from. As continued behavior is usually a result of some kind of reinforcer, the first step is to figure out what I get out of sharing my daily activities.

I initially heard about Twitter from Dave, but saw no point in exploring it like I do most new technologies. But after hearing a few others bring it up around the office, I didn’t want to be left behind – I can’t deal with others being more informed on a new technology than I am.

My Twitter contact list therefore started out as just Twelve Horses co-workers. My participation was light but consistent. I was usually “nudged” into messaging after receiving a message from someone else’s account. At this point, the reinforcer was the self satisfaction of learning a new technology and knowing I was “in the know.” However, as I started to hear Twitter come up on my regular podcast playlists – TWIT, Buzz Out Loud, etc. – I became motivated to take it more seriously.

I starting following tech gurus like Robert Scoble, Veronica Belmont, and Steve Rubel. The way Twitter works, I would get their messages but they wouldn’t necessarily get mine. However, getting insight into their thoughts and activities, I started to feel more connected and involved. I also learn of cool links and events.

This doesn’t explain why I send updates. I guess it’s the feeling of giving to the machine in order to get back. I think Twitter is the trendy thing to do right now, but since it doesn’t have a real use – or said differently, there isn’t a clear reinforcer to continue the behavior – I think it’s popularity is temporary. I will be amazed if it becomes used outside the geeky class. I fully expect to see mainstream media coverage of it shortly, as a tech phenomenon, but I think all that will do is showcase how geeky us geeks truly are.

Anyway, in the mean time, Twitter on!