Community Intelligence

If you asked me a year ago what was a hashtag, a tweet or a retweet, I would have looked at you blankly.

As a member of the CPRS Edmonton chapter, I decided to attend a luncheon in December 2008 that focused on the topic of social media. Walter Schwabe of fusedlogic was the guest speaker. Schwabe said one line that sold me on Twitter – (to paraphrase) if you aren’t on it, you are out of the game.

At the time, I was unemployed so I had the freedom to explore what he said. Within a couple of weeks, I was hooked.

Through Twitter, I learned about Social Web Meetups, tweetups and without these personal interactions, I would not have discovered what tools to use such as TweetDeck, Twitpic and others.

The personal interactions also have led to making new friends, learning more about Edmonton and how passionate people are about our city.

Adriel Hampton recently wrote about Edmonton’s Twitter community and he’s right how Edmontonians who tweet have developed a strong bond through the social networking site.

I’ve found there are so many people who are willing to step forward to help each other out, share advice and also make an impact.

Mack Male and Sharon Yeo hosted the first Twestival in February 2009 and raised $1,000 for charity:water. Since then, tweetups, which are local Twitter gatherings, have fundraised for local charities. I made many connections at the Twestival and regard several people now as my friends.

Brittney LeBlanc, iNews880 web editor, also wrote a blog posting about the significance of the Edmonton Twitter community.  

Impact of one word

Through Twitter, I found out the impact of how one or two words can snowball into a heated discussion or an event. Debates on Edmonton’s municipal airport and Bill 44 raised many to speak out through tweeting.

Edmonton’s online community jumps at the chance to socialize. What started out as a mention about my mother’s potato latkes, turned out to become a small party at my house recently.

While monitoring today’s tweets, I noticed a discussion on Asian food became a Dim Sum tweetup on January 1.

Edmonton’s Twitter community doesn’t wait to act. It’s almost proactive.

Sense of community or invasion of privacy?

In a strange way, I feel like many of these people have become my extended family because they care about what happens and are willing to jump in at a moment’s notice.

In today’s Edmonton Journal, Paula Simons gives another perspective  of how social media has shaped our lives.

Simons is an active Twitter user and is also torn about it.

“I am conflicted about my Twitter account – but that’s just proof, I suppose, that we’ve all been complicit in allowing the culture of surveillance to flourish. I’m not immune or superior.”

It’s all about choice. We can choose to be part of the Edmonton Twitter community. We can choose carefully what we post or blog about. We can choose to show up at the events.

I’m glad I made the right choice to participate. Otherwise, I feel I would be missing out on connecting with great Edmontonians who are eventually going to make a significant impact on our city.