It's more immediate. The whole system is more or less 'real time'[0] so actual conversations are possible[1]. I can see that being more addicting than Facebook

It's more immediate. The whole system is more or less 'real time'[0] so actual conversations are possible[1]. I can see that being more addicting than Facebook or Reddit, where conversations tend to happen over longer periods of time. One of the biggest benefits I get from Twitter is real time news from people who are actually there instead of relying on what passes for journalistic integrity these days. On the other hand, Twitter is an interesting experiment in weaponized language, which can turn some people off. 140 characters isn't enough room to actually explain anything or provide proof or even simple logical arguments, so every argument on twitter is about invoking as strong an emotional response as possible. That emotion is usually anger. Also, the structure of twitter itself makes it unbelievably easy to organize lynch mobs. [0]: Yes, it's not an actual, formal real time system, but it feels real time to the user. [1]: I still prefer Jabber-style chat or IRC to twitter, but I will admit the 'broadcast' design of twitter makes it easier to participate in conversations across many different areas of interest at the same time.