12Seconds: ready, go!

In the spirit of adapting every digital medium (text, image, video) to every possible length format, and putting it on every device at every possible time, we now we have the latest entry: 12Seconds.

It's a "video status platform" where, instead of sending out micro-blogs a la Twitter, you now update your friends micro video blogs. 

Here are my two dueling takes:

Skeptical:

--  There are already an uncountable number of video sites that allow users to upload not just-12 second videos, but videos of all lengths.  Why is narrowing the video universe to 12 seconds a feature?

12Seconds' answer:

Because anything longer is boring. The scientists here at the 12seconds dodecaplex have conducted countless hours of research to determine the precise amount of time it takes for boredom or apathy to set in during typical Internet video viewing.

-- This service doesn't appear to have implemented Twitter's best feature***, which is the leader/follower structure, where everything you write gets beamed to all your friends and fans.  12Seconds doesn't have followers.  So how is everyone going to know you just posted a video update? Unless...Twitter? 

-- Text is better for updates because you can scan lots of entries in a short time. Videos--even 12 seconds ones--are not scannable.

Encouraging:

-- But, of course, video can do a lot that text can't.  Instead of telling your friends you just bought Spiderman #1 on eBay for $2,500 -- you can actually hold the comic up and show them.  Nerd power!

-- The creators are right that in the info-overloaded world, shorter is better.  By architecturally enforcing shortness, they may actually be able to create a new micro-medium, like Twitter did.   It's not true that "anything longer is boring," of course, but if the video you're watching is only 12  seconds, the downside is pretty minimal, even when it is boring.

-- May not actually need to re-invent the Twitter follow-wheel.  This service functions well as a Twitter enhancer. 

-- The web celebs are going to love it.

***UPDATE: David Speiser, one of the co-founders, writes in:  We do have a leader/follower structure exactly like Twitter's. You must be a registered user and logged in to use that feature.

Comments

[David Speiser]

Hi this is David, one of the founders here at 12seconds.tv. Thanks so much for the post, it's a great overview of our service. I'd like to clarify one point regarding "following". We do have a leader/follower structure exactly like Twitter's. You must be a registered user and logged in to use that feature. If anyone is looking for an invite to join our alpha please contact us at: info@12seconds.tv.

[David Beach]

yup there is following on 12seconds. After signing up you can find people to follow by inviting them, searching for them, or you can enter your twitter login to see who among your twitter friends is on the service. You may also follow anyone you find on 12.

what's missing right now are replies and threaded posts. all in due time.

Thanks for writin' it up!

[Kosso]

great stuff!

awesome press dudes! ;)

[Nicole]

Love this! I think the local digerati are going to go nuts. Any potential to be able to post to certain groups to help filter the types of videos you want to push to different audiences?

[spOtmob]

This is really a good idea. We have thought exactly the same a year ago, we created spOtmob. It is online, check it and try it!

http://www.spotmob.com
...and your life?