In case you weren't looking, someone just updated their status. The trend these days is to post small snippets of text about what you're doing, thinking, or currently wishing to exclaim. This is such a popular trend that Twitter was created solely for this purpose! Other social networks, like Facebook, also let you post status updates.

It's got me thinking how instant-message is affected by this. More and more, people will communicate in real-time with status updates, rather than being connected to an instant-message client. Conversations are carried on amongst groups of people simultaneously via the web, SMS, and IM. Just look at Twitter and notice all those tweets that begin with "@username." On Facebook, commenting on status updates is an immediate way to carry on a conversation.

The conversation is happening all around us, without the need for a direct connection to someone, like instant-message provides.

In this manner, I feel that these two trends are occurring:

1. SMS is becoming more like IM.
2. IM is becoming more like the telephone.

When do you use IM these days? I only use it when I need to carry on a lengthy conversation with someone, and would like a direct connection to that person in order to free myself of the restraints of status update tools.

Sounds a lot like the telephone, doesn't it? Ever get sick of texting someone, and just call them instead? This is how IM feels to me. It feels old, aged, and only useful in very particular situations.

IM in social networks

IM is also built into social networks like Facebook, which allows users to supercede the status update utility (and writing on walls for that matter), and connect to someone directly.

I've never used this IM tool because it feels pointless to me. I'd rather write on someone's wall or comment on their status.

Having an audience

Rarely are we ever connected to just one person anymore. Updates and conversations are happening all around us and we try to stay informed with everyone as best we can.

These days it seems absurd that you'd actually just share an idea with a single person. Rather, updating your status let's all of your friends and followers see your idea. An audience is much better than just one person, right?