The Network That Never Sleeps

Abstract

This review describes how Twitter is currently used by laboratory professionals for education, research, and networking. This platform has a global audience. It enables users to post information publicly, easily, rapidly, and free of charge. The absence of hierarchies enables interactions that may not be feasible offline. Laboratory professionals teach thousands of people using text, images, polls, and videos. Academic discussion flourishes without paywalls. Published research is shared faster than ever before, articles are discussed in online journal clubs, and research collaborations are facilitated. Pathologists network globally and make new friends within and beyond their specialty. Pathology departments and residency programs showcase trainees and faculty and celebrate graduations. As users in one time zone go to bed, others who are just waking up begin to read and tweet, creating a 24/7/365 live global online conference. We encourage others to plug into the power of Twitter, the network that never sleeps.