[johnchristopher]

Nothing wrong with what you are saying but let's get back to what started this conversation:

> Their true value lies in the news-making ability (you hear about many news events first reported on twitter and relatively few first reported on facebook or google+ or other social networks). And in that sense, they have much to offer.

My point is that regarding news it's more efficient and pratical for the consumer/reader to get them via RSS than via Twitter streams. I am only dealing with the 'getting news' pov here. The producer and the conversationalist issues aren't the same as those of the reader.