Twitter functions as a real-time in

Twitter functions as a real-time information network, but has become increasingly influential in the area of cross-cultural engagement. The diversity of the site's user base and its open architecture have led a wide range of cultural groups to use Twitter to raise awareness about issues that matter to them, highlight certain aspects of their culture, or just have a laugh.Of course, that's hardly unusual in the world of social technology. What's different on Twitter is that a wide range of cultural activities are taking place in full view of others who are often unfamiliar with the cultural mores they are observing. This inevitably leads to some level of cultural exploration. Joel Johnson of Gizmodo, whose own exploration was somewhat questionable, observed that "the joy of discovery that can come by weaving a stranger's life into your own."

Twitter functions as a real-time information network, but has become increasingly influential in the area of cross-cultural engagement. The diversity of the site's user base and its open architecture have led a wide range of cultural groups to use Twitter to raise awareness about issues that matter to them, highlight certain aspects of their culture, or just have a laugh.

Of course, that's hardly unusual in the world of social technology. What's different on Twitter is that a wide range of cultural activities are taking place in full view of others who are often unfamiliar with the cultural mores they are observing. This inevitably leads to some level of cultural exploration. Joel Johnson of Gizmodo, whose own exploration was somewhat questionable, observed that "the joy of discovery that can come by weaving a stranger's life into your own.".