So it seems that we have again found a tool that is 2 parts showmanship, 1 part value. The concept is simple and thereby elegant — a micro-blog that others can follow.
Clearly, most of the info you read or post on Twitter is absolutely useless. Its not just a microblog, its like a minute by minute diary, most of which is of no real interest or value to your followers.
But the 1/3 part useful is the ability to garner information quickly on a given topic or harness support for an immediate action, like a charity event. Consider the Twestival event — a global fund raising event for Charity Water, run by a great guy Scott Harrison. The publicity around the fact that Twitter was used to promote the event was larger than the event itself — which is ok, but not sustainable.
Twitter has the option of becoming a great communications tool or the next 2nd Life — overhyped and demonstrating little sustainable value.