2009, Tweeting all the While

American Dialect Society announced ‘Tweet”, a short message sent via the micro-blogging site Twitter as the word of the year, .  Ever since the official ‘WOTY’ (Word of the Year) tradition started in 1991, an internet theme seems is emerging: “information superhighway” (1993), “cyber” (1994), “web” (1995), “e-mail” (1998), “tweet” (2009), “web” (90’s), “google” (00’s) .  Something of a web-matryoshka-doll effect seems to be taking place.  The web led to emails to search engines to major gaming to wikis to social networking…  Is listening next?  Maybe something broader, perhaps something more obscure –we’ll be listening either way.

Certainly, the creation of words like ‘Tweet’ and ‘e-mail’, ‘Google’ and ‘unfriend’ are evidence that social media is affecting and expanding language around the world.

Since Tweet was the word of ‘09, I thought we’d look back at some of the most popular abbreviations, symbols, and terms that are a large part of communicating on Twitter and other social networks.  Some have even pierced through and become part of the spoken language:

1. Smh – Shake.My.Head. “OMG, there’s no way I’ll ever listen 2 another Chris Brown song after what he did.  Smh.”
2. RT – The Twitter version of the oh-so-glorious “copy and paste”.  Re-Tweet allows you to share a fellow Tweeter’s Tweet. Display their post on your own Twitter preceded by an “RT” -share their insight with your network, express your approval, disapproval, or complement the comment with your own 2 cents.
3. ATM – It’s no longer just a machine that spits out cash, at the moment it means… “at the moment”.
4. Imma – I will or I am going to bla bla bla.  This is simply a sloppy but efficient way to begin the aforementioned statements.
5. FNG – A new employee…
6. ROFL – Rolling.on.(the).Floor.Laughing.  Someone just posted a knock knock joke so absolutely funny, it has you literally (also a new favorite for anyone meaning ‘figuratively’ but choosing to be incorrect, therefore negating any opinion they may be expressing) rolling on the floor laughing.  You write ROFL in response so that they knew you just rolled on the floor in due part to their ridiculous post, message, IM, email, whatever –or at least that you thought about it –maybe you lol’ed and would have rofl’ed if the floor if the dog hadn’t used the floor for a toilet.
7. b4 – (instead of before) This abbreviation and others like it allow a Tweeter to save space in their post, more importantly a millionth of a second in time that you can spend Tweeting more later.
8. (N)SFW – Not.Safe.for.Work.  (or vice-versa)  So, you’re staring at a scandalous email with a scandalous image.  It’s hy-ster-ical. You’ve got to forward it to your co-worker.  However, you most certainly don’t want her to unwittingly open it in front of the CFO who frequents the co-worker’s workspace.  Simple –type “NSFW” in the subject line and your co-worker will know that she needs to wait until the CFO leaves for the restroom to open that email.
9. JK – Everyone knows this one, regardless of what your demographic  is. “I’m not really a chocolate person.  JK!! lol.”
10. FTW – For.the.Win.  “I have 4 new friend requests. FTW!!”

ePatient Connections 2009

Controversy and Exploration at the ePatient Connections 2009 conference!  I e-xperienced both aspects at the conference when ListenLogic attended its first ePatient conference on the 26th and 27th of October 2009.  Plus all the coffee I could drink.

ListenLogic came as a team of three.  First thing I noted, besides how cold it was (a smart way to keep everyone awake) was the layout.  The speaker’s stage, the round tables, the sponsors’ booths (ListenLogic, Klick, Red Nucleus, Avantera), and the tutor stations were all inside the ball room.  Everyone together!  One big happy group of friends -by the end of the conference everyone really was either friended, connected, or linked.  Regarding the setup though, it made for a productive event, with everything the conference had to offer all in one room, except for the coffee of course (but everyone knew where that was anyway).

A highly produced conference, this gathering was one for all ages and personalities.  All sorts of tweeters and youtubers attended -everyone had a desire to learn about e-health, to e-xplore it and understand how to be a part of it in the future.  Short presentations -10 minutes is plenty of time to say what you need to say – kept everyone alert and regular coffee (so many things to keep people alert) breaks allowed good circulation throughout the day.

Controversy over PHRMA and FDA disagreements became a stream of open-minded and productive discussions.  Some progress at the least.  Maybe not as much as everyone had hoped on particular topics.

One complaint!  Social media conferences attract social media users.  During presentations, way too many people were too focused on their gadgets and not focused enough on what the presenters had to say.  This is coming from a generation Y’er, it’s no longer an age thing.  Be a part of whatever is happening in the e-world, but please don’t forget to listen…

-Andy