Probably should have clarified this statement. I was suggesting that conversations occur regardless of any "Twitter" like phenomena. So, I struggle to understand why people do not look for alternatives quicker. If a vacuum only worked periodically, would consumers wait for the product to improve? Probably not...they would move on to the next brand.

Probably because not everyone loses their mind when Twitter goes down. I mean in my respect, I've almost entirely abandoned my blog in favor of Twitter, but when it goes down I wait just like everyone else. Maybe play some Guitar Hero, maybe read a book.