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?
One brief definition of democracy is "a government by the people" This definition fits perfectly in conjunction to our growing reliance and integration of digital networked technologies. Just as a democracy is a government by the people, the digital networked technologies and Web 2.0 are entirely governed by the people. The content on the web and in mostly all social technologies today are controlled by just about anyone from amateurs, to professionals and everywhere in between. People can add any kind of information from personal pictures to public info, and everyone can access this information. With social networking these days almost everything can be shared and transmitted online. Keen stands firmly against the simultaneous amateur broadcasting because it leads to amateurs taking over with invalid opinions and information. The integration of social technologies has allowed for a complete democracy where the people are conforming and collectively taking power over the professionals. I agree with Keen's observations, there definitely is alot of power in the amateurs court because of the power that there naturally is in numbers. But i don't think it is always necessarily bad. I agree more with Jimmy Wale's opinion that democracy on the web has had great influences on society. A prime example is his own website, Wikipedia; a collaborative effort by the people, overseen by him, to produce accurate information on just about any topic.
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?
The unchecked nature of Web 2.0 relates to democracy in that everyone has equal power, and some people don't handle it as well as others. On the internet, pretty much everyone has an equal opportunity to get up there and say whatever they want- and plenty of people abuse that privelege fully. Social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter can be regulated, but there is so much content constantly flowing through it that it's hard to monitor everything. I don't think this is an issue as much as it is an everyday truth about life. Not everything can be monitored, there will always be people braking the rules, so everyone needs to individually take the precautions and know that not everything you see on the internet is beautiful, flowery, and true. I don’t believe this is an issue that needs to be addressed because as long as people are aware of the nature of the Internet, they should be able to regulate themselves and make their own decisions based on what is true or not.
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 needs to be addressed? Why or Why not?
The media echo chamber relates to the idea that when there is a specific space in which information is being spread and communicated, there is inevitably a huge echo effect. People will take information and copy it and spread it, sometimes even changing it much like the game of telephone. This is because everyone in a confined space is passing around this same information. This creates a type of silo effect which is "when a managing system is incapable of reciprocal operation with other related management systems". In conjunction with Web 2.0 there is a silo effect because often times one media chamber cannot effectively exchange information with other media chambers because the information is quickly falsified and frequently invalid. This particular issues is one that i feel should be addressed because i feel like there is so much potential for more efficient, clean and organized media .
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 are needed or not needed?
While there is a very strong degree of democracy on the internet, there is a certain extent of authority on some websites such as Facebook and Wikipedia. On Facebook, anyone can say whatever they please and share whatever type of content they would like, but if something is inappropriate it will be reported and eventually removed. Also, there are rules and regulations that the authority creates, usually the creator. The same goes for WIkipedia; everyone can input information, but there is someone evaluating the information for validity. I don't think it is possible for everything to be overseen because of the masses of info there is on the internet, but i think that when it can be done, it's a great thing. Just like a democracy, everyone has a say but there is someone in control who ultimately gets the final say.
While there is a very strong degree of democracy on the internet, there is a certain extent of authority on some websites such as Facebook and Wikipedia. On Facebook, anyone can say whatever they please and share whatever type of content they would like, but if something is inappropriate it will be reported and eventually removed. Also, there are rules and regulations that the authority creates, usually the creator. The same goes for WIkipedia; everyone can input information, but there is someone evaluating the information for validity. I don't think it is possible for everything to be overseen because of the masses of info there is on the internet, but i think that when it can be done, it's a great thing. Just like a democracy, everyone has a say but there is someone in control who ultimately gets the final say.
6. Give a thorough 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.
Facebook is yet again another prime example. It has transformed over the few years it has been around in order to accommodate and adapt to it's users. Initially, Facebook was only open for the use of college students. Now, it has been made available to everyone. It used to be as basic as writing comments on people's walls and adding photos. Now, people can create applications groups, events, or post an Ad. It also now appeals to businesses and corporations with it's small advertisements on the side. Facebook has advanced tremendously in a few short years because it would fail without the public's support.
7. Is democracy threatened by the unchecked nature of the internet?
I think democracy influences the unchecked nature of the internet. If the internet were checked or censored, a huge portion of the information would be effaced because it is invalid or controversial. Democracy thrives on the internet because it is the perfect setting for anyone to do or say whatever they want, strictly because it is unchecked. If the internet were regulated, not everyone would have an equal opportunity, there would virtually be internet police, giving some people more power than others.
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