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Keen/Rushkoff

1.  Keen defines democratized media as user-generated content on the Internet.  His main issues with this trend are generally that user-generated content is not reliable and it undermines professionals.  Another point Keen made was that he feels democratized media is inhibiting our societies creative minds and essentially "dumbing us down."   Keen feels that democratized media is the worst thing to happen to the Internet because the sources of information cannot be trusted.  "Disintermediation" is the cause of this problem because there is no one to check the information to make sure that it is legitimate.

2. Keen and Rushkoff have differing views on Web 2.0 and some are similar.  For the most part, Rushkoff believes Web 2.0 is beneficial and helping our society advance.  He sees the side of Web 2.0 that in fact enables creativity rather than inhibit it.  However, Rushkoff does admit there are some problems with Web 2.0 dealing more with legitimacy of information.  Keen on the other hand, is completely against Web 2.0.  Keen feels that Web 2.0 is the downfall of our society and ultimately making people less creative.  I definitely agree more with Rushkoff''s view than Keens.  I think that user-generated content has made our society more creative than ever before and enables us to do things that mankind has never experienced.  Additionally, I do see problems with legitimacy of information, but I do not see it as a problem because there are ways to tell if things are accurate.  Furthermore, Web 2.0 makes information quick and at hand which I think makes society smarter.

Comments

My main post was a response to Mike Hsu's blog: http://hsumedialit.blogspot.com/2011/02/web-20-and-digital-nation-essay.html?showComment=1299178093089#c980728557655885436

I also commented on Jessica Francia's blog: http://jessicafrancia.blogspot.com/2011/03/whither-individual.html?showComment=1299167276726#c2326496349490929534

and Nicole Trapani's: http://nicoletrapanimedialit.blogspot.com/2011/02/whithering-individual.html?showComment=1299178678940#c4978958944022386171

Whithering the Individual

        Over recent years, groups and social network websites have revolutionized the way our society communicates and interacts on many different levels.  Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have become major aspects of everyday life and without a doubt expand our identities and self-expression in ways that were previously impossible.
          I disagree with the notion that these social websites have forced us to conform to “cookie cutter” profiles.  I believe that without regulation and order, a social website would limit the users it draws in and would ultimately hinder our societies newfound connectedness through a singular medium.  The basic fundamental layouts help make these websites quick and easy to use.  This is one of the contributing factors to Facebook’s favorability over the once top social network, MySpace.  As a result of the efficient balance between personal space and “cookie cutter” profiles that social networking sites have created, I would say that society is beginning to move towards a “collective organism” of “hyper people.”   

Facebook is popular among all types of people within a society whether it be college students, parents, businesses, and even the elderly.   My grandma for example, who can barely navigate her way through a classic flip phone, is now an avid user of Facebook.  I think that Facebook allows us to expand our identities more than ever before.  Users have the ability to “like” almost anything and in turn, Facebook provides advertisements that relate to the things that one “likes.”   Additionally, Facebook uses social software and enables users to express their identity through status updates, photos, video postings, and a personal information section of the profile.  YouTube has enabled our society to generate a mass collaboration of not only user-generated content but has created a means of sharing content for personal, educational, and business use.  Twitter allows people to express their thoughts and actions as well as view updates from people and entities of interest. 

Although Facebook users can see other people’s profiles and make comments, loss of personal space and reflection is not a factor.  In fact, I would say there is more reflection on the web than ever before and it is only becoming more popular through mediums such as Blogger, Twitter, and Facebook.

The documentary Digital Nation by Douglas Rushkoff and Rachel Dretzin brought different aspects of today’s computer culture to light.  One example in particular, Bubbie the grandma who has her own online cooking show, truly exemplifies how the web does not limit creativity but enhances it.  Bubbie is 83 years old and has become an Internet sensation just like many other people who post user-generated content.  This goes to show how the new digital age is opening new doors of opportunity for the average person.
The game World of Warcraft was another thing that Digital Nation explored.  World of Warcraft has drawn attention because players have become completely immersed in the game and are often unable to use it in moderation.  It has become a topic of concern because players are developing addictions to the game and in many cases it has resulted in a loss of social life, interest in education or anything else besides the game for that matter.  Digital Nation also discusses the game Second Life.  People that virtually create a new life online use mediums such as Second Life which poses addicting habits for the people who are seeking an escape.

However, I feel that this is a separate part of the “Web 2.0” and it cannot be judged on the same level as social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.  These games that create new realities can allow for identity expansion in ways that one would not necessarily expect.  Some businesses, for example, use Second Life to organize meetings without having to make people travel out of the comfort of their own homes.  Moreover, some people use Second Life to meet others or look for romance.  On the other hand, users can take advantage of the new reality to create a false identity that does not accurately reflect who they are.  This is why one must use discretion when using these types of mediums.

            Conclusively, the Internet has become a place to explore and express ourselves through mediums that allow society to connect and instantly generate content.  Technological innovation combined with new forms of creativity have constructed a unique environment for individuality and virtual identity.  Web 2.0 has changed the way we communicate, learn, and entertain as a whole.  Therefore, I disagree with the notion that Web 2.0 is “whithering” the individual because I believe that it does the complete opposite.  Web 2.0 allows people to reflect who they are and expand their interests in networks that are becoming more advanced and catered to the user by the day.