Not that it matters, but if you used Twitter, you’d already know that Ana Marie Cox, original Wonkette and Washington Editor of Time.com, is no longer a Time employee (but still a “contractor”) — before anyone started “reporting” it. How? Because she is using Twitter right now to inform the world.

See previous post — of course, this makes a liar out of me as I claimed I didn’t “do Twitter” during work. Technically, I was “at lunch.”

I think it’s pretty interesting that Hugh MacLeod’s post about deleting his Twitter account is rapidly working its way up Techmeme.com. If this works the way events like this typically work, in a day or two, Hugh will be the lede in a New York Times article on Twitter burn-out. (Those familiar with the blogosophere can easily connect the dots between his post and the upcoming New York Times article. It will start with lots of blog posts saying, “I hate Twitter, also.”) I wish Hugh had not deleted his account — he could have just stopped posting to it — as the historian in me likes to see things archived, rather than wiped-clean. However, if Hugh was finding Twitter a distraction from finishing his book and his art, and he needed to pull the plug completely, I applaud him for doing so. I like Twitter and have written on this blog about how I believe it can serve many positive purposes. But yes, it can be a time-waste. That’s why I try to keep my Twittering in the background and turned off while working. I’ve found the program Twirhl, a desktop Twitter (and other services) client is helping me filter out lots of Twitter noise and have a better framework and context for the use of Twitter.

So I respect Hugh’s decision. Many media and technology people I know have said to me they “don’t get Twitter.” I understand. I’ve even written here that nobody “gets Twitter.” And that’s one of the things about it that I find so fascinating. It’s also why I’m not deleting my Twitter account.

Later: Surpassing actual news about billion dollar tech giants, Hugh’s Why I canceled my Twitter account post is now atop Techmeme. Go figure.

SouthComm, the parent company of NashvillePost.com is acquiring the Nashville City Paper. Here’s a quote from the announcement:

The City Paper, Nashville’s free, five-day-a-week daily newspaper, will focus on building news-gathering capabilities online, including additional video features, and will only publish the print version of the newspaper on Mondays and Fridays, beginning April 28. (SouthComm President) Chris Ferrell said the purchase of The City Paper fits the company’s long-term business strategy…Albie Del Favero will stay on as publisher of The City Paper and veteran journalist Clint Brewer will continue as executive editor.

This announcement involves lots of talented people with great experience — and they’re friends of mine. I hope they can fulfill the promise of the announcement. Nashville needs it.

• Photography of Olympic Torch Protest in San Francisco | Thomas Hawk
  Flickr has been a magnet today for photos — and now video — of today’s Free Tibet protests in San Francisco. Among the most stunning are these from the always amazing, Thomas Hawk.
  (tags: photography, free tibet, flickr, san francisco, olympics2008)
• Flickr Video of Olympic Torch Protests | Scott Beale/Laughingsquid
  Scott used Flickr’s new video posting feature to share the video he shot at today’s protests.
  (tags: video, laughingsquid, free tibet, olympics2008)

Seeing the NY Times headline, “Names That Match Forge a Bond on the Internet,” I figured the story would be related to the hilarious one-man stage performance, British TV show and book from several years ago called, Are you Dave Gorman? In 2000, Gorman travelled the world to meet other Dave Gormans. After his show came out, they even all got together for a big Dave Gorman-palooza (see photo, below). In other words, Dave Gorman is the patron saint of “Googlegängers” everywhere. But, alas, so fleeting is “Internet fame,” the article in the Times doesn’t even mention him. Back when he performed “Are You Dave Gorman?” off-Broadway, he got boffo review from the Times. But now, he’s just another forgotten Internet meme from days gone by who can’t even make it into a trend story about a trend he created. (Flashback: My review of Gorman’s 2004 show, “Dave Gorman’s Googlewhack Adventure”)

Sidenote: I have never met anyone with my exact name on the Internet. However, by a rather strange coincidence, I discovered that the President of the Lynchburg, Va. Chamber of Commerce has almost the same name as mine (his last name is Hammond, a name I often get called by mistake). Even more strange, however, is that the Vice President, Membership, of that organization has the same name as my wife’s maiden name. Interesting, yes. But not interesting enough to cause me to travel to Lynchburg.

That said, I’ve met several “Rexes” on the blogosphere and via Twitter and must say that our club, while small, is very cool.