Instantaneous News Delivery: A Social Media News Revolution Thanks to Twitter

I’m floored! Technology has completely changed the world and it continues to do so. Apparently, the large Mexico City earthquake yesterday was first reported on Twitter by users in the heart of it! While its wild to think that we can find out about quakes as they happen, it is even more astonishing to think that people on the site (aka. Twitters) reported the event several minutes before the USGS did. We all remember hearing from bloggers about the South Pacific Tsunami, incidents in Iraq, etc., but this Twitter news revolution is pretty impressive!

The concept behind Twitter is very simple. Users sign up and share the answer to a simple question, “What are you doing?” with other users. I’m not sure the founders realized the ramifications of such a simple concept.

Here are a few of the many posts about the Mexico City Earthquake:

• Satrina - Earthquake in Mexico City, was long and a little bit strong
• dotmotion - That was a hell of an earthquake.. and I’m on a 7th floor… I still feel sick
• rogeriogal - Earthquake in Cuernavaca, just passed. I’m still dizzy.

The media will absolutely lose its edge on reporting the news, if locals can quickly send a message letting you know about news or weather events the instant they happen. I’m guessing the 24 hour networks like CNN or MSNBC are going to have to start trolling sites like Twitter to beat the competition in reporting the newest BREAKING STORY!

Its a brave new world out there! Maybe its time I got myself set up on Twitter . . .

NOTE: Thanks to Andy Beal for letting us know about the post!