Take a look at this post at TwiTip as Chris Allison explains some of the features of the newly released Twitter search function. 

I have been using the search function on the iPhone application Tweetie for over a month now and have found it an extremely useful function. Twitter has expanded that functionality by a huge factor. You really need to just dive into this and try a few of the searches out. I tried the near:abbotsford function and quickly saw a huge list of people getting over last nights hangover. That gives a new perspective of Abbotsford for sure. Chris points to a phrase the hive mind which seems very applicable in trying to grasp what is happening here. (and of course there is a definition on Wikipedia!) 

Something came through loud and clear at the recent NorthernVoice conference. The strict borders that were voiced 5 years ago that people and businesses don’t mix that well in blogging and social media have passed. Mainstream media and valued businesses are accepted in what they present through any social media means. Sure they are filtered but the platform allows them to speak. The rigid pendulum has moved. Twitter seems to be the rage and not just a passing fashion. With the search function and this view of the hive mind, you can begin to realize another paradigm shift about to happen or has happened. The ‘wisdom of crowds’ can be viewed as an actual dynamic knowledge pool. 

Once again we can see a wave of change about to occur. Our world gets smaller, bigger, adds a new dimension or garners an attribute that we could only think about a few years ago. Of course there will those were changes are not viewed with any admiration, only suspicion. Those that can attempt to try something different will once again have a unique learning experience. For me, anything that makes meaning is what life is all about. Search on!