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Democracy Internet Debate !

Troy Wilensky

Media

Internet Debate

1.     Based on this debate and previous readings What Definition of democracy do you feel is most fitting for us to use in-conjunction our growing reliance and integration of digital networked technologies?

The internet is becoming larger and larger. Its not an area that continues to grow and there are no limitations to how big it can become. There must be democracy for something of this great importance. Democracy over the internet should consist of all users able to access the same information and an equal chance to voice opinions. Everyone is given pretty much the chances of becoming “an internet sensation” or of making a “viral video”. Basically getting their 15 minutes of fame or potentially real fame. However the internet make it much easier to or at least more feasible to attain this 15 minutes of fame then doing so another way. If there was not an equal chance for everyone, like if only certain people could post pictures while others could only post comments the internet would not have a good sense of democracy.

2.       How does your answer to #1 fit into the unchecked nature of Web 2.0 technologies, and what are some tangible examples of this? Do you feel this is an important issue that needs to be addressed further?

I believe that for the most part, the internet is very democratic. The only tangible none democratic policy I could think of is for example, the creator of a website or social networking affinity can see more and do more than the average user. This would be almost the equivalent of government in regular society. However, in the internet society, anyone can become the “government” yet it is the peoples options whether or not they become part of that community (website) for which that government controls. Unless a community (website) becomes so big like Facebook, the people really do not have much choice but to join the group and listen to its “government”.

3.     Define and describe the phenomenon of the Media echo-chamber as described in the Internet Debates. What are some examples of this silo effect, and do you believe it is an issue that need to be addressed? Why or Why not?

The media echo chamber and the silo effect is a very powerful phenomenon that greatly effects our culture. Its similar to when a fashion trend becomes very popular. It is when an idea gets attention from the media and then others with the same idea continue to make this idea grow and spread to others. This effect can be positive or negative depending on the idea. When cyber bulling and cyber predators first become a real threat, around the time myspace first became big, I remember hearing all about it. It was in articles in magazines it was even on tv in the news. It probably started with a few instances of kids getting preyed on and kids getting bullied and it turned into a huge awareness program. In this case of silo effect I believe that it was a good thing it happened. If it weren’t for all the people spreading and growing the idea of cyber predator awareness and cyber bully awareness these wrong doers would be able to continue their negative behavior without real fear that there are people that understand what is going on and actively looking for them.

4.     What are some ways that expertise and authority could be (or is being) enforced on the internet? Who would be behind these forces? Why do you believe are they needed or not needed?

The website Wikipedia is a great source of information about almost everything. Since it is such a well know website almost everything you google will send you straight to its “Wiki” page. It is always one of the first links to pop up on google thus many people will be clicking on it. This gives people a sense of trust in the website. After all just about everything has a wiki page. However Wiki is a website that just about ANYONE can add to the pages of information. Yes it does go through the websites mediators but who is to tell they are right and what are their credentials? This we do not know. We are trusting anonymous mediators to decide what is true and what is false. There is also so much room for corruption such as companies paying Wiki employees to remove bad coverage and add positive reinforcement of their company or product that it would be crazy to safely say you can always trust what you read on Wiki. I really do not know if expertise and authority are needed on the internet. I think there should be some way to tell the difference between an “expert” and an amateur but I do not believe that some people should not be able to write on the internet. I believe it is a place where all should be able to express themselves and that right should not be taken away. I think the internet is fine the way it is, it just takes some time to decipher the truths and the fallacies on the web.

5.       Give a through example of an adaptation or improvement made by a of a social, political, or cultural group, government, business or individual to keep up with changing nature of the internet.

I think a business such as I-Tunes has really made a changes because of the nature of the internet. With all of the illegal music and movie downloads now, I tunes has really taken advantage of making a 100% legal and high quality way of downloading your favorite movies and music and even tv shows. They make it very user friendly, only the highest sound and picture quality, as well as it being legal. They pay their artists to sell the songs so you are supporting the I-tunes company as well as the artist instead of simply “stealing” them off of the internet. They even have special sales where you can be a whole CD much cheaper than if you buy each song individually. But the option to buy individual songs is groundbreaking in the fact that, it is not possible without the use of the internet. It really opens up your options as a consumer and you really only have to buy exactly what you want. This not only applies to music but you can go ahead and buy your favorite episode of a tv show instead of the whole season like you have to do in stores. I-Tunes has not confined itself to only being visible on the internet. Their commercials are on TV, they have gift cards you can buy in stores, and they even have deals with soda companies to have free song prizes under the caps of coke bottles. I-Tunes is really effectively using the nature of the internet too its full advantage.

6.       Is democracy threatened by the unchecked nature of the internet?

I am actually not 100% sure where I stand on this topic. I think the unchecked nature of the internet is a great thing. Its gives freedom of expression to everybody to voice their opinions and beliefs. However the negative side to that is that when a website like Wiki where everyone trusts is posting false information. People can even make their own websites with false information, possibly persuading others to believe in this fallacy. However if we have mediators that are going around checking if our facts we right are actually factual, is that really democracy or freedom of speech. Just as we don’t have full freedom of speech in school or in a high occupant place like an air plane, should we also have limited freedom of speech on the internet from our own home?? This is a question that I myself still do not know where I stand on. I think that as much as it would be nice to be able to believe everything on the internet, I think many people would be outraged to have the internet mediated and underground internets would be started. I am not even sure it is possible to monitor the entire internet where it can be watched closely enough to make a difference. Fact checking the internet would cause outrages and I don’t think it would be a smart idea to do that. I think the internet is better off. Still the experts know where to search for other experts the only thing that may be better is too help guide users to better more reliable sources but still have them able to web surf wherever they please at the same time.

Whither the Individual? DIGITAL NATION

Troy Wilensky
Media
Jacobsen
Whither the Individual?

*As we join groups and social networks from affinity sites to Facebook, are we extending and expanding identities, or increasingly conforming to the cookie-cutter profiles demanded of these interfaces? Is the loss of "personal space" and "reflection" so many users complain of merely the necessary surrender of "ego" as we learn to participate as members of a more evolved "collective organism" of "hyper-people?"*

As more and more individuals join these social networking websites such as the Facebook, peoples identities are sometimes lost, others more evolved. I have been a part of the Facebook community for a little over 2 years now and I have developed my own theory as to what social networking does to individual’s identity. I have noticed that just about every single one of my 900 plus friends will tell you how different they are from everybody else. Yet as I take a closer look, many quote the same authors, watch the same movies, join the same groups, are fans of the same artists or athletes, have very similar pictures posted, have similar statuses, etc. I am not saying that all of these people have identical qualities or are the same in a plethora of ways, but Facebook is. I do not know all of my friends on Facebook, however the ones I do know, that seem very similar on the website are in fact very different from one another. Facebook makes us conform to each other as if we are all part of a whole. Many times I have been on someone’s Facebook page and I had mistaken them for another person because of a similar profile picture. Even with close examination of one’s entire profile, Facebook does not do the individual justice. In a few rare cases I have seen peoples identities blossom through Facebook. I believe one of two things are happening here when this occurs. When I know the person in real life, and I see their personality thrive online, either they are simply more comfortable revealing themselves over the computer, possibly they feel more secure, or the other occurrence is that Facebook has actually given birth to a new personality to this person. I do believe that some people can actually have alter ego’s over the internet, even if it is not an anonymous interface. Although this occurrence is very infrequent among users it does happen and is quite intriguing. Possible for these individuals the internet is a way to express themselves in a way they can’t do in real life. In the video Digital Nation it shows that in world of Warcraft and Second Life this result of a new personality is much more common. I believe this is because instead of just a page with words you have written about yourself you have an actual avatar in which you can interact with others. You get to create your avatar’s race, size, color, and as you play more and complete tasks with others you can give him different clothing as well as various weapons to use. And overtime I feel that you can develop a new personality through your avatar. Almost as if your acting out a movie role, meaning the new personality does not carry over too real life. So in a way this is an example of an interface expanding identities although they may only be present in hyperspace does that not mean that they are not real? I don’t think so, I think of it as many people have different mindsets in different situation. If you talk to any great athlete they will tell you that they are a completely different person when they are on the court/field/cage/rink/ or whatever field of work they are required to perform on. This may also be present with other occupations besides athletes such as doctors, surgeons, firemen, police officers, and many other types of work. Once they put on that uniform its time do be that person that can complete the job, which may cause a new personality to give birth. Just as that happens, the same thing happens to people when the long into the virtual world of World of Warcraft with their avatar. In the video Digital Nation it actually told of people who have met on World of Warcraft and have gotten married! Now I’m no expert but I don’t think anyone in the world would marry someone without fully discovering the personality, characteristics, and intangible traits of the person before committing to them. That would mean that World of Warcraft has the ability to let people get to know one another so well that marriage is an option! One woman proclaimed that the most romantic thing her husband ever did for her was “he broke into a castle to see me.” That is pretty much only possible in the virtual world, yet this woman was enamored by the heroic deed of her husband in the game. So it seems like a game like World of Warcraft is more prone to create this phenomenon of expanding and even creating new identities as other affinity sites such as Facebook seem more likely to “conform us to cookie cutter profiles” where individuality is ultimately eliminated.

            Many people on affinity sites such as Facebook complain about a loss of personal space and reflection. In a way yes I do agree with this. On Facebook just about any one you are “friends” with can look at all of your pictures, posting, comments, statuses, likes and interests, etc. However, Facebook as kind of naturally developed its own code of conduct involving personal space. For example the general rule of social norms on Facebook are, almost never comment on someone wall if you do not know them unless you are trying to get to know them, it is ok on occasion to comment someone’s status you are only a little familiar with such as an acquaintance , it is acceptable to “like” someone’s status even if you do not know them well or at all. At least those are just a few code of conduct that I follow when on Facebook regarding personal space. I have found that those new to the website do not always follow these rules but generally these are the natural laws of Facebook, at least that is what I believe. Facebook has developed and advanced just as any society would. I have seen many peoples statuses that say things to the effect of “good morning Facebook !” or “goodnight everyone !” Seeing statues like that are more and more common and make us feel like we are indeed part of a much bigger world when we enter the Facebook universe.  This is another example of how some might think there personal space is being confiscated. Facebook users are now talking to each other as if we are ALL one big Facebook family instead of on an individual level. Thus, taking away our personal space and individuality.

            Another thing facebook users complain about is it takes away reflection from their life. How many times have old friend got together and reminisced about old times. You would almost never hear someone say “remember that time on facebook when…” ,it just wouldn’t happen.  Facebook takes away the element of reflection in our lives and yes I agree with this. When someone is on facebook they could be out in the world doing things upon which they could reflect and learn upon. There are a lot of things that can be learned from facebook, but its not the same immersive experience that you would get in the real world. Facebook is very limited in the actions you can do. In fact the only thing you can do is “post”. You can post pictures, comments, videos, statuses, and text to others, but that is all you can do, you are limited to the post. Where as in the real world there is a limitless number of things you can do to really reflect and learn and grow as an intellectual individual.

            Also, the surrendering of ego is another Facebook blemish. People are actually willing to give up their individuality to act and become part of the "collective organism" of "hyper-people” If you ask me, yes I do feel as if when I log onto facebook that I am part of a bigger sometimes more civilized and proper world in which people work together to communicate. Just about every Facebook user puts up statues hope that many others will comment on it and discuss, agree or disagree with them so they can further express their opinion. Every form of posting, even a simple “like” or joining a group or fan page, is an act for attention in hopes of communicating with others. Facebook is crucial in our lives. Without it our lives would be vastly different. Had I not had a Facebook I would not have been able to communicate with my girlfriend in the early stages of our relationship, I would be out of touch with certain family members, I would not know the local news of my town and throughout highschool, facebook is almost a necessity in today’s society. Although sometimes I proclaim I hate facebook, I am very thankful for its existence for all that it has done for me. Although I do believe it take away individuality and conforms us to a cookie cutter personality, I believe in the good that facebook brings. Like most things in life, as long as you can balance it into your life, you can avoid many of the problems it may pose.

discussion questions

1. I believe that over time amateur or homegrown production will continue to improve over time. The more people see these well done home grown productions the more people will practice the more people will do it themselves. However, i do not think that professional production will decline in quality. I think as a whole production and advertisement will grow in quality. i believe the pros will always have the better quality due to their funds that allow them more technology and equipment. however i have seen some amateur ads that have been pretty incredible through the use of photoshop and other software.

2. Basically I only use facebook as my social network website. I have a myspace too though. i actually made them both relatively around the same time. within a week of each other. I maybe used my myspace for 8 months and im still using facebook from 3 years ago. myspace was just too hard to navigate, i was getting to many "fake" friend requests from robots trying to advertise to me. It really just didnt give me what i wanted out of my social networking website. I wanted a fast and easy way to post blog entries, videos and pictures, and see what my friends were doing. facebook seemed like the perfect fit for me so i stuck with it and i have very few complaints. I believe if facebook didnt begin as it had. only for college students, it wont not have exploded as it did. facebook was like this secret society that you get into once you graduate highschool and everyone wanted to see what it was about. then once it went public to everyone and anyone, many people started making accounts. yes, facebook is here to stay, i even plan on seeing the new movie about facebook that comes out soon. very soon i think they will come out with their own music players (facepod) or something like that. they will expand this company as much as they can.

9/21 class assignment

Photo Shop McLuhan Project Final Post !

The popular game of world of war craft has literally millions of users from across the world. World of Warcraft in a way is a breakthrough in human communications. Users of all ages, sizes, races, ethnic groups. religious groups, and both genders. It offers not only a fun game to play but what really makes this game special is its communication aspect.  The original medium would actually be the game itself, however in this medium is a world of content, each its own medium as well. This game offers its users a wide variety of ways to communicate with other users, as well as the game itself. User to User communication can be as simple as moving your character and making him dance and make different motions toward another user, using a headset to speak, or even text chat is available. From here you can meet new people, meet your friends in the game, meet new friends in the game, pass information along, or even play the actual game with the other users. Users can even communicate with the game. If they are having problems or need information there are always admins on duty 24/7 that will come find you if you type in that you are in need of one. all that content in the game is a medium within itself with its own content. That's what makes this game so special, many vastly overlook how incredible of a communication medium World of Warcraft really is. The Message of World of Warcraft is enormous. Many students go home after school and log onto this virtual reality that is the World of Warcraft and talk about homework for next class and what they are doing the following week. There have even been people who have found the spouses on World of Warcraft ! This game really brings everyone together into this small world. whomever logs on, is immediately transported into this virtual world with a limitless amount of mediums and content to be apart of. The World of Warcraft is more than just a game, it is a technological breakthrough in human relationships.

medium for the project

I will use World of Warcraft as my medium. I feel this is a very different and unique medium in that there are so many ways to interact with potentially millions of different users. Not only can you interact and have conversations with friends but you can meet new people from all across the world, all while having fun playing the game! Its almost as if you are in a virtual world and you can pick your name and character skin so you will be anonymous to whomever you come in contact with. If you wish to tell them more about yourself you may do so or you can continue to make up stories and just have a good time. there are so many ways to interact with people on so many different levels I think this game is a great medium to do the project with.