All this social networking is wearing me out, or at least the learning about it. Using Twitter and Facebook has brought information overload to a new level. After days and hours of thinking and reading about this social phenomena, I have come to the following observations and conclusions.

First, at its worst, there is no doubt some becoming addicted in a narcissistic way to the world of real time updating. These people see themselves on a stage and believe the world is truly interested in what they are doing now, which often doesn’t amount to much.

The Twitter FAQ summarizes this activity as:

a community of friends and strangers from around the world sending updates about moments in their lives. Friends near or far can use Twitter to remain somewhat close while far away. Curious people can make friends. Bloggers can use it as a mini-blogging tool. Possibilities are endless!

In this dual community of friends and strangers, I plan to pursue two uses for social networking. The ability to follow people that are expert or successful in areas I am interested allows me an inside track to what they are thinking, reading, learning, etc. This is exciting to me. By being able to listen in, so to speak, to their conversations, I am gaining insight to what they are doing and learning, on a daily basis, as they share what sites they are visiting, books they are reading, posts they are writing, and who they are listening to. Their world is accessible to me.

Think of it this way. Have you ever thought how cool it would be to spend a day with someone you have heard about that is doing something significant or successfully? Twitter is one platform that is allowing people to share and engage in ways never before possible. These exchanges are not limited by time or geographic boundaries. And even more significant is the possibility of actually developing business and professional relationships. Used appropriately, true friendships can also result.

The ability to select who you listen to is powerful too. This “following” activity reminds me of the old E.F. Hutton advertising slogan, “When E.F. Hutton Talks, people listen.” That is how I am feeling when I see a “tweet” from one of the people I respect professionally. I am paying attention to what they have to say.

Next, developing a following of family and friends connected by this technology I see as beneficial. It is in this group that I am appreciative of knowing what coffee they had this morning, fun they had last night, or announcement they want to let the group know. Sharing and encouraging one another in this digital environment has potential.

Still not getting it?! Basically, you’re no-one if you’re not on Twitter:

I’ll see ya on Twitter, where you can be bookmarked, re-tweeted and blogged!