The Internet and the world

The internet has had a great impact on the way the world relates to and engages with one another.  The internet has a huge impact on journalism, the web, online news, weblogs and so much more.  Donald Matheson’s “New Media and Society,” article questions interactive journalism.  The lines of communication become blurred when it comes to what is and is not acceptable in interactive journalism.  “Jon Katz (1997) has attacked US newspapers for remaining ‘insanely stagnant in an interactive age,’ failing to provide such minimal interactivity as reporters’’ email addresses on stories” (444).  I find Katz positioning to be very interesting.  Although society views journalists as credible sources who are suppose to relate the truth about everyday events/encounters, it is not their job to provide their personal information to the public.  I am not sure as to how valuable a reporter’s email address would be to society.  No matter what information is related to the public, it is our job to properly decipher that information and make the best choices in life. 

        Matheson’s article goes on to talk about weblogs.  It questions, “Why look to weblogs, rather than to other forms in which journalism is happening on the internet, in order to track such epistemological shifts?” (445) This question was very interesting because I am in no way familiar with weblogs before this course, but a red flag went up upon reading this.  It is hard for me to understand why people would read information from people who could be posting absolutely anything.  What was even more interesting was the fact that Katz questioned credible sources contact information, yet blogs are so huge and authors can be completely anonymous.  When we sign up for blogs, it is not a requirement to provide accurate personal information to the public who may read our postings.  I must agree that weblogs are in fact a great way to interact with one another, but they in no way serve as credible sources.  People are allowed to express their thoughts, ideas and beliefs, but it is hard for me to understand why so many people quickly adapted to them.

 

       Cass Sunstein’s “Democracy and Filtering,” article also discusses the internet and how it related to the world.  This article approaches the issue from a governmental point of view.  The article questions, “Is the Internet a wonderful development for democracy?” (57)  Sunstein feels it is when stating the internet provides far more information than before enabling society to learn at a much faster rate (57).  I can agree with Sunstein on this because when we talk about print, the process is much longer concerning news coverage being related to the public.  The internets greatest factor is it’s up to the minute coverage.  The internet also furthers its educational element as Sunstein makes it clear.  I never viewed blogs as being an educational outlet, but Sunstein views it as an opportunity for people to read and write an extraordinary array of topics (57).  It was this statement that gave me a different outlook on weblogs.

 

       When thinking about weblogs, there was never a clear definition for me.  As I continued to question what purpose they served, Rafaeli and Sudweeks article further enhanced my knowledge when discussing computer-mediated communication (CMC).  They define CMC as “An experiment in social intergration and democratic participation” (1997, 4).  Without the internet there would be no weblogs, my question is what makes a person become interested in blogging?  Though the answer to my question is not readily provided, the authors, “Propose to examine how captivation occurs through interactivity” (1997, 4).  I feel this interactivity has to do with the networks of networks.  These new programs are basically like trends, they will forever exist and they will forever be followed.  No matter what emerges from the internet, it will most likely succeed because it is appealing to society and mainly because it relates to the internet.

Interactive Communication Systems

The “Connective and Communal Public Goods in Interactive Communication Systems,” focuses on public goods and how it serves as a source of communication. Technology is used to transmit information. A great quote from the article is “Public goods theory can be extended to explain the conditions associated with the relative success or failure of interactive communication system linkages among individuals” (61). It’s amazing the ways in which interactive communication can be used for both law enforcers and criminals. Interactive technology makes organized illegal drug cartels to fly under authority’s radar.

The reading “Shibuya Epiphany,” takes a very interesting stance on the technological regime that exist. The article “Community: From Neighborhood to Network,” by Barry Wellman was very interesting. It starts off with “Communities are networks of interpersonal ties that provide sociability, support, information, a sense of belonging, and social identity” (53). The many forms of communication is discussed whether it be long distance, gossip, online communication or whatever. The advancement of online communication has taken a major change over the course of the years. I am not certain, but the article seems to be saying the more distant a community is the more of a social network they are. I soon began to better understand when he compares a community to the internet, “Like the Internet, they are best characterized as a ‘network of networks’” (54). The ties that are created within a network can be closely related to the interaction that transpires on the internet.

The article also talks about “cross-cutting.” The more we communicate throughout multiple networks, the more we become linked with one another. Unfortunately, we can not keep track of what occurs during these linkages. The article states, “Social circles tend to be sparsely knit most participants’ behavior and limited commitment to their well-being” (54). By connecting networks, every social circle is “a resource within themselves” (54). Communication within communities is changing dramatically, “The nature of community is changing: from being a social network of households to a social network of individuals” (55). CMC “Extends the social range of networks: allowing people to maintain their ties and fostering more specialized relationships” (55). Mobile technologies have on the other hand reinforced the person-to person community. Mobile phones, wireless computers, and other wireless portability’s are a tremendous help in furthering communication because “they shift community ties from linking people in places to linking people wherever they are” (55).

The interaction between communities is very important. It is amazing how such online interactive services such as facebook, myspace, hi5 and other networks are created. What is even more interesting is the way in which they work. They allow a community of people with some sort of common interest to interact with one another. Technology is advancing in ways that I could have never imaged, and even to this day, I can not fully understand how such devices are able to link people in communities from all around the globe. Guess it is something I have to become accustomed to because whether I fully understand it or not, technology will forever advance and change the world.

Evolution of Interactive Communications

Technology has advanced tremendously over the past decades.  Although the advancements are very helpful, there also came some complications.  As the article”Technology as systems, control and information” states, “Because of this complexity, the control, or management, of technological systems becomes a major problem for engineers and other expert professionals” (77).  From this chapter, it is evident that technology has had a major impact on weapons, transportation, war, the military and so much more. 

Technology played a major role concerning war.  As the article focuses on the era around WWII and the Vietnam War, it describes both positive and negative outcomes from the advancement of systems, controls, and information when concerning technology.  Engineers and Scientists wanted to improve these failures and complications, when the chapter states, “Aware of the failure of controls and the frequency of ‘normal accidents,’ engineers and scientists sought to improve control theory and practice” (90).  During the times of war, there was no room for failure or errors, so scientists and engineers worked hard to improve all aspects of technology during the time.

As the advancements continued, so did the setback.  The section ‘Reaction to the Information Revolution’ focuses on both the advancements and setbacks when it states, “Humanists, public intellectuals, and artists lamented the constraining influences of large technological systems upon individual freedom and associated them negatively with the Vietnam War and the deterioration of the environment” (103).  It goes on to state, “In contrast, reactions to the information revolution have been decidedly positive” (103).  Not only is technology important, but how man is able to use and benefit from technology is also important.

 

 In the article “As We May Think” by Vannevar Bush, he talks about man and the use of science and the instruments used for research.  Science and technology has made man’s life way to easy.  Bust states, “Science has provided the swiftest communication between individuals; it has provided a record of ideas and has enabled man to manipulate and make extracts from that record so that knowledge evolves and endures throughout the life of a race rather than that of an individual.”  There are many benefits from technology, and man can tremendously benefit from its advancements.  Bush states, “Machines with interchangeable parts can now be constructed with great economy of effort.”  Technology is in a way, mans best friend.

 

Although it is true that technology is very beneficial and makes life a thousand times easier, I feel as though it is also a setback in life.  We are so accustomed t having everything done by machines and technology that we forget how to function as human beings.  Everything is to readily available for society in a way.  I do love the luxury and ease that technology brings, but at times it seems a little overwhelming.  Technology is amazing when it comes to war, but it is frightening in knowing your enemy can use that same technology to defeat you.  When it comes to all the new gadgets and such; they are amazing but at times I fear that society will not be able to function if they were to wiped away from existence.

It’s Me: Tia-Monae’

I am a 22 year old college graduate.  I am from the Bronx, New York but I now reside in Connecticut.  I am majored in E-media and minored in English.  I landed a job as a part-time Production Assistant at The Worx Group, LLC.  There I did html coding, worked in Photoshop and many other programs.  It was a great learning experience that further enhanced my knowledge in the field.  I enjoy html coding and web design, but I also have a passion for writing.  Being fresh out of college and immediately entering graduate school I do not have that much experience in the corporate world. 

Outside of schooling, I have a strong passion for music and choreography.  I have been dancing and doing choreography for many years.  I love reggae and hip-hop music.  I would love to choreograph a reggae/hip-hop video one day.  I love to embrace my culture and my people, while still being open minded to all people from all walks of life.  My main focus at the time is furthering my education and fulfilling all my goals in life.

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