News-Record.com

Some of us have been trying to figure out how to use Twitter to extend our journalism. I know there are a lot of journalism apostles out there, and they make sense, but it's "one more thing" for a staff that is already awash in "one more things."

Terry Heaton cites a study that underscores the why -- if not the how -- with a heavy black marker. And it is a big motivator.

But the big story -- and it is huge -- is that nearly nine of ten in the age group 18-34 use (text messaging, blogging and social networking), making it the most dominant form of communications for the group.

Then he quotes an article about the study in Online Media Daily:

Text messaging, meanwhile, proves that mobile media also is becoming a dominant source of personal communications beyond the cell phone, even if mass marketers haven't yet figured out how to crack the potential of marketing through the medium. The percentage of U.S. adults who say they've never sent a text message fell to 41% this year from 49% a year ago. And among 18- to 34-year-olds, it dropped to 22% from 38%.

As Terry says, the number of people getting info through texting is only going to grow and become more connected.

If you believe that you need to go to where the people are -- the days of them coming to you automatically are certainly over -- then this is pretty clear directional evidence. And a strong motivator.