So I was recently notified that my proposal for the Urban Sites Network Conference in Chicago in April was accepted.  I’m going to be presenting!

Here’s the text of the proposal:

Since its launch in 2006, Twitter has become one of the largest and most popular social media tools. It has also become one of the most diverse. Millions of young (and old) people tweet about trivialities; television shows often employ Twitter as a way to engage viewers in everything from political discussion to sports talk to Real Housewives gossip. Indeed, the founders of Twitter chose the name because of its implied superficiality. But Twitter became something different when it helped spark political revolution in Egypt. Efforts to censor Twitter increased in some countries as perception shifted. More importantly, the revolutions that followed – failed and otherwise – were often fed by Twitter, and it wasn’t always the “biggest” accounts or those with the most followers that sparked them. In some sense, a strategic or instrumental understanding of Twitter – something we awkwardly label “twitteracy” – helped ordinary users do extraordinary things. In short , we propose two things: first, that “twitteracy” translates into a new kind of social power that can lead to meaningful cultural and political change; second, that we can teach/learn “twitteracy” as a means to empower students/teachers/stakeholders to effect change. #changetheworld #twitterninja #realworld #boom #hashtagjokes #twitterevolution #twitteracy

As you can see, I was being a little silly and over-the-top at the end.  I’m not sure if this will translate into more or less interest.  We’ll find out.

The last time I presented about Twitter at a conference, I had a slim turnout.  I suppose the format of the conference and the attendees’ interests was a factor – it might help that this is a national conference, on a Saturday, in the middle of a big city.  I’m hoping that it attracts many more connected professionals and interested early-adopter types.

Apart from this, the topic is fascinating.  I have some cool ideas about what/how to present, and some ideas for surveys about Twitteracy.  And, of course, I have a huge pile of books to read/skim before I try to put the presentation together.  I’m looking for ways to get outside of the slide-show rut, and I definitely want to invite audience (including remote members) participation.

I’d love to hear your comments – here or on Twitter.

Thanks for reading!