Historical Insights: Twitter Always Existed

I hate Twitter, in part because the moment it showed up, I recognized it: Oh, a forum where people arrive with pre-determined stories...and no knowledge...and then label and bully and dictate to people who, because of the stories, aren't supposed to fight back.

However, I don't blame Twitter for this behavior (for furthering it maybe--but not for its existence). Twitter has always been with humanity. Probably, some cave paintings have gossipy meaning buried in the handprints and animal shapes.

Graffiti in the ancient world is a GREAT example. One of the wonderful discoveries when Pompeii was uncovered was how much official and unofficial graffiti covered its walls. Some of it was "official" in the sense that it was obviously the equivalent of advertising posters--painted to promote sporting events, shops, politicians...

These writings are usually signed. 

And some of it was "unofficial" in the sense that people were writing Twitter-like comments to each other. The boasts, criticisms, mockery, wishes and slagging matches  would actually go on for awhile, taking up quite a bit of wall space.

Human nature is human nature. And, by the way, the archaeologists and anthropologists are thrilled!