What is the benefit of having a twitter account AND importance of having followers?

[Lord Xar]

Why is twitter important and how does that factor into getting "twitter friends"?

No idea the importance of twitter.

[dannno]

Trending topics I suppose.

[GeorgiaAvenger]

Don't know

[TheBlackPeterSchiff]

Its just social media. People that follow you get to instantly see what you say or "tweet" on their phone or computer, you get to what the people you follow say, you can also "retweet" tweets that you like. The more mentions a name has it begins to "trend" and pops up on the side bar of people's twitter page, making them click it to see what people are saying about said name. And you can always just do a search and see what people are saying about...example..ron paul. So is it important? No. But its just another means of communication with the outside world.

[Sematary]

I find twitter to be a great medium for spreading the language of liberty and freedom.

[emazur]

Many online articles including ones from major newspapers and major tv news allow you to use your twitter account to comment without having to individually create an account for each site.

[ItsTime]

50% of twitter accounts are bots.... So really no use.

[emazur]

The media does keep track of online activity - here they point out that Ron Paul is king:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XQpdzhraQA

[Drex]

I find twitter useful because the trend topics. I see a random guys name trending click it and see why. Useful if you aren't around the news 24/7 imo