The key word in Sterling's quote is 'dependence'. I can use these services without becoming dependent on them. They're useful, so is whatever I'm reading whi

The key word in Sterling's quote is 'dependence'. I can use these services without becoming dependent on them. They're useful, so is whatever I'm reading while I'm on the can. I don't know, maybe it means more to all those motivational self-help and internet marketing types on Twitter. One of the great advantages I see in microblogging is the ability to walk in and out of the "attention stream" at leisure. Try that with IM and you're considered rude or strange. Of course, some probably have a harder time walking away than others.