Why are so many people frustrated with the new Twitter @replies policy? Because most users are human and fast-paced change can be a scary thing. This is not the first time we’ve seen such changes in communication.

Years ago, news spread virally through a phone system called a “party line”. Switchboards were slow and phone lines expensive so the system rewarded those who shared phone lines. No call was private because neighbors could pick up and listen at any time. (This happened with succulent regularity.) The party line was great for keeping a small community buzzing.

Carla, Jim, and David were neighbors who happily shared a party line. Happily, that is, until a housing development was built on their street and thousands of phones were added to their party line. Suddenly, it wasn’t a party anymore. The rapid expansion caused a frustrating mess!

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