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How much power does a single tweet have?

If you’re repulsed by the mere mention of the word ‘tweet’, believing that it holds no place in a grown-up’s vocabulary, then you might as well stop reading this post now. If, on the other hand, you believe that technology empowers the individual and creates a better society then you’re probably on the wrong site altogether.

Whatever. The point is that an occasional IsleOne reader, known only to us by her Twitter name @zepbunny, has rattled the feathers (not a real expression) of Dominos – the multinational pizza bakers. Last week she tweeted about the plight of a Dominos employee obliged to stand on a busy road in all weathers holding a placard pointing to the nearest Dominos shop. She questioned the ethics of employing people on a minimum wage in a job with such crap conditions.

Via the magic of Twitter, Dominos picked up her tweets and asked her to email them directly. Slightly ominous or an example of how technology can be used for the greater human good? Neither. Because despite the instantaneous nature of Twitter, Dominos still haven’t come back to @zepbunny – and the placard man is still there breathing in the monoxide.

Dominos state that one of their priorities is “to treat others how we’d like to be treated”. So no doubt we’ll see all their senior management standing in a road somewhere sucking car exhausts.

As to the power of a single tweet, we’ll see.