Is Twitter Entering the Mainstream Consciousness?

My new favorite Twitterer (Tweeter?) is none other than Big Aristotle himself, Shaquille O'Neal. The famed NBA center has taken to updating his followers regularly with nuggets of wisdom, insights on league life and information on his latest charitable pursuits. While the cynics among us would frame this as a public relations move, the charismatic star of Kazaam is rarely lacking in publicity. More likely, Shaq just enjoys the interaction and sharing his favorite original quotes.

Like Shaq, the endlessly talkative Kanye West also has a Twitter account. While his is updated less often, the use of the social network by such well-known celebrities must be indicative of something, right? Before long, the site, which in my experience is mostly heralded by social media experts and media practitioners, might be frequented by more diverse users.