There is a subtle shift going on that is accelerating how we humans are connecting over this global grid called the Internet. Regardless whether or not you are participating in this sort of connection, are even aware of it, or look at those who are using it as people who really need to get a life, there’s no question Twitter (and others like Pownce and Jaiku generally seen as being micro-blogging tools) are accelerating human connection and this is a phenomena you need to understand.

That little red dot on the earth is me just outside Minneapolis, Minnesota. Because of all of my digital breadcrumbs around the ‘net (as well as my speaking engagements, my blog and participation in a myriad of Web offerings), I’ve been able to connect with other thought leaders all over the world. Ironically, all the other online participants in my own State of Minnesota were relatively unknown to me and I wasn’t connected with most of them.

Until now. Until Twitter.

In addition to connecting with other thought leaders I’m already following (and at times connecting with people they follow), folks locally are finding/following me and thus I’m finding/following them, creating a new web of connections that’s already opening doors too numerous to recount just now.

I won’t give you a history lesson on IRC, ICQ, instant messaging and other technologies which preceded Twitter and the others, but suffice to say many methods to connect already exist in the same way that audio online existed before podcasting; video before YouTube; and online diaries before blogging. The fundamental difference is that these micro-blogging tools are easier to use than the others (or more widely distributed than proprietary instant messaging services), more efficient and persistent since there’s a trail left of messages one can backtrack and follow, and these micro-blogging tools have turned into platforms being extended by others (e.g., see this and this post).

Sounds pretty optimistic Borsch…any downsides?

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