Fans of pioneering online sports writer/pop-culture critic Bill Simmons have been bugging the ESPN.com columnist to join the increasing number of journalists tweeting on Twitter. His thoughtful response:

...Twitter and Facebook reflect where our writing is going thanks to the Internet. In 15 years, writing went from "reflecting on what happened and putting together some coherent thoughts" to "reflecting on what happened as quickly as possible" to "reflecting on what's happening as it's happening" to "here are my half-baked thoughts about absolutely anything and I'm not even going to attempt to entertain you," or as I like to call it, Twitter/Facebook Syndrome.

I've long maintained that social media enthusiasts who claim Twitter and Facebook are communication devices for networking and sharing are off base. The driving force behind Web 2.0 is exhibitionism and expression. This is particularly evident if you take a look at Facebook’s application directory sorted by “Most Active Users:”

• Super Wall - The best way to find and share entertaining videos, pictures, graffiti, and more with your friends!
• Causes - Make a difference, on Facebook!
• Top Friends - Own your profile with Top Friends! Now you can CUSTOMIZE your Top Friends Profile! Choose your skin, add music and more. Give and receive exclusive awards, show off your mood and keep tabs on the people you really care about with Top Friends News!

Each app allows the user to essentially shout out to other users, “HERE I AM, I AM WRITING ON YOUR PROFILE WALL, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THESE THINGS, I AM BEST FRIENDS WITH ALL THESE WONDERFULY ATTRACTIVE HIPSTERS!”

It is the exhibitionist quality of Twitter is what makes it a success with users (though not a money maker, as I may have mentioned), because everyone tweeting wants to be heard -- or read. Unfortunately, as Bill Simmons observes, many of them have nothing interesting to say.

For proof, check out Twit or Not, an addictive take on the infamous Hot or Not which allows users to vote which tweets are the most boring. Go ahead and kill a couple hours. I just did.