You properly understand things when you get stuck into them. This is one of the most important things to understand when it comes to digital. I’ve been using Twitter for about two years now, however I am only using it as a link provider tool to look at other people and inspirations.

I have truly experienced Twitter as an alternative way to look for information during Le tour de France this year. Although I knew the immediacy of the site allows you get a snapshot of the news quite swiftly, following professional riders has been a very interesting experience.

The Herd and Tipping Point effects are interesting to follow. A famous rider starts twitting: Lance Armstrong and then you can follow half of the peloton and a few team manager.

But the most interesting thing to look at is the way they are using Twitter. Digital blurs the borders between virtual and real and by reading some of the twitts I was wondering if the riders realise they are talking in a public environment. Have a look at some of the samples below; we are miles away from the traditional, consensual post effort interviews.

Following Le tour on Twitter has been far more exciting than on the press. Even sport newspapers were using Twitter as a source for information anyway! I am obviously not saying media are dead or something like that. There is of course a role for media in the future. As they can’t compete for the immediacy of the news anymore they should focus on the quality, taking the time to go one step back and having a look at the bigger picture in order to add value.

[Pic via]