[cookiecaper]

I think the real promise of Twitter is that it offers a platform to engage directly with movers and shakers. The short form makes it possible to exchange ideas with high-profile people that otherwise would never be able or willing to read all the long-form mail they get. @pmarca has addressed a tweet I made before, totally unsolicited. That's the only element that I feel it really brings to the table; it's digestable for busy people, and busy people actually sometimes engage on it (though often to their detriment).