What’s the Verdict?

Perhaps I am behind the times, but this week was the first time I have ever seen the film We Live In Public. My initial reactions were what’s going on? People really signed up for this? Lastly, I reflected on the fact that the Internet has given countless ‘normal’ people the ability to rise to fast and usually short lived fame. The specific instance that I am thinking about is the “Numa Numa guy.” In 2006, you could not go anywhere without hearing about this New Jersey native.

The video was watched over 36 million times. Due his success on YouTube, he was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s The Tonight Show, VH1’s Best Week Ever, Geico commercials, and he was even featured in a Super Bowl commercial. The Internet has provided the average Joe with a platform to perform and if the public takes to it a glimpse of fame could be captured for a brief moment. Where the “Numa Numa guy” is now, I personally have no idea. But he certainly made an impact on society.

Being an Internet enthusiast, I don’t think that the Internet is going to take over our lives. I think that many of the positive aspects are over looked due to the examples that cast the Internet in a negative light. Yes, the Internet can be used inappropriately but it can also be incredibly helpful. We created the Internet, thus we are essentially in control.

Throughout this course, we have looked at the positive impacts such as free and open software to negative cases such as that of Mr. Bungle. However, my conclusion is that the Internet has provided us with more good then evil. There are going to be people who use the Internet in malicious ways however the advancements and good that have come out of it outweigh the evil.

The Dark Side of the Internet

We have investigated both the good and the bad aspects of the Internet throughout the duration of this class. This week, we talked about the concept of cyber-bullying and what it exactly meant. We specifically discussed it in terms of teens. However the first thing that popped into my mind was the phenomenon of “Juicy Campus” its founder, Matt Iverson, linked the site as apart of the “gossip 2.0” trend and celebrity gossip sites such as TMZ or PerezHilton.

The site swept universities nation wide. The New York Times article, “Juicy Campus: College gossip leaves the bathroom wall and goes online,” states the subject matter perfectly. It simply provided more harm than good. The site allowed users to operate anonymously, allowing comments to be posted regarding a users school and peers that were cruel and in some cases untrue.

In 2008, Carlos Heurta, a student at Loyola Marymount University posted threatening messages on the site Juicy Campus. Messages such as "I am going to shoot and kill as many people as I can until which time I am incapacitated or killed by the police." By tracking down Heurta’s IP address he was later linked to the post and shortly arrested. This was no long cyber-bullying but had crossed into dangerous waters, cyberterrorism.

Keeping this case study in mind, we can technically call Heurta a cyber terrorist via Maura Conway’s definition “cyberterrorism is the convergence of cyberspace and terrorism. It refers to unlawful attacks and threats of attacks against computers, networks, and the information stored therein when done to intimidate or coerce…”

Cyberterrorism is something that has the potential to impact all of our lives and as more and more people begin to use and manipulate the Internet, I fear it will only become more of an issue.

"Genius" Is Exactly That, Genius.

I found Cass Sunstein’s article, “Is the Internet Really a Blessing For Democracy?” particularly interesting. I believe that the Internet, more often than not, allows users to expand their horizons and subjects us to information we might not know about.

When I was a junior in high school, our school received an exchange student from China. It came to the attention of my professors that she had been skipping classes, for days. The student was later found in the school’s library, glued to a computer. As she was researching items for class, she came across information regarding her own country and what she had believed to be true.

It’s no secret that China regulates the information their citizens receive; this was made even clear this year with the China v. Google battle where Google stated they would not regulate China’s searches. My point being, due to this students chance to study abroad, she came encounter with information that she may never had the opportunity to else wise.

However, not all personalization is bad. Sunstein makes reference to this early on in his article, mentioning item such as TiVo and Broadcast.com. Another example, which I make great use of, is the “Genius” feature on iTunes. “Genius” is easy to use and creates a playlist for the user simply by choosing a song of your choice than hitting the Genius button.

By creating playlist with this application, I am introduced to music I may have forgotten that I have or not ever really listened to before. Arguably I will enjoy the selected music because it is a product of music I have previously uploaded to my iTunes.

When researching “Genius,” I came across an article written by John Fortt for CNN. He not only claims it is the best application Apple has come up with (keep in mind the article was written in 2008) but makes two interesting points from a business perspective: he first claims that with the implementation of “Genius” it encourages people with large libraries to listen more. With the rediscovery of their music collection, Fortt believe speople will be more likely to upgrade their iPods. The second claim he makes is it attaches users to iTunes, making them less likely to switch to another server.

While personalization can be flawed I believe it also has its benefits.

How Blogging Helped to Save Orphans of Nepal

This week, when reading about new media and global activism, I could not help to think how new media is able to catapult projects and efforts to a larger arena. With the help of the Internet, humanitarian efforts are publicized thus giving them not only local recognition by national attention.

After graduating from high school a friend of mine, Maggie Doyne, was not sure what she wanted to do. She had graduated with honors as well as received acceptance letters from a number of Ivy League universities. However, she was not ready to dive into college yet. Maggie decided she was going to take a year off and travel the world. Her final stop in her tour was Nepal. She was heart broken by the numerous orphaned children and decided to stay in Nepal to aid conditions.

Since 2007, Maggie has fostered a safe community in Kopila Valley, Nepal. With the help of a small team, she has single handedly built a school, living center, and community for orphans of Nepal. In order to complete all this, she has relied on donations. While our town held galas and benefits for Maggie, her real success came via the Internet.

Without the help of new media, Maggie would have had a far more difficult time sparking national interest. With in the blogging community Maggie’s blog was collecting thousands of hits a day. People were inspired by her story and wanted to help. Followers urged her to become apart of the Twitter community so they could receive constant updates.

Due to social media, Maggie has won national success. Among her larger accolades, she was the 2008 CosmoGirl of the year and won the “Do Something Award” that put her on the back of cool ranch Doritos this winter. Maggie was put in the running for both of these national campaigns due to her well-managed blog and tactful manipulation of social networking sites. As well as the obvious, her huge heart, noble goals, and commitment to success.

As Bennett points out, “digital media is important to activists.” New media has allowed Maggie’s story to spread quickly and efficiently. Newsletter can be sent electronically and daily updates are given. Without her blogging efforts, in both the micro and macro field, it would be difficult to raise awareness and support 20,000 miles away from the United States.

New media has certainly gained Maggie national attention and allowed her to continue to work and expand her living community for orphans.

Virtual Communities

This week we took a critical look at how new media helps to form and in some cases strengthen groups. The concept of group formation is seen excessively on college campuses and is most noticeable among first year students.

Prior to entering college, I was not a user of Facebook. However, that changed when I decided on what school I was going to attend in the fall. I created a profile to see whom I would be living with, who my roommate was, and what types of kids would be attending Catholic University with me that fall. Immediately after forming a profile and joining the Catholic network I was invited to “Class of 2010” groups than eventually to “Spellman Hall” the dorm I would be living in. Through that group, I was able to see and ‘friend’ people I would be sharing a dorm with as well as to form a basic bond and connection with my peers.

This is an example how new media channels existing motivation. I was obviously curious what my roommate and neighbors were like as well as those who would also occupy my freshman year dorm. Without the medium, in his case Facebook, none of this would have been possible. I would have had to wait until I attended school to see what my roommate looked like or get a feeling about why type of students attended Catholic. Via Facebook, I was apart of a community before I stepped foot onto campus.

We mentioned in class, “new technology has enabled new kinds of group forming.” Continuing with the example of Facebook, this is noted in networks people belong to. You would not join another school’s network or the network of a company that you did not work for. It would not only be pointless but a social taboo. By joining networks one is associated with, it helps people to link up and to form a common bond. Social networking sites have revolutionized the ability of group formation. It is quick as well as easy. Although new media is not always seen as good and certainly has its flaws it is undeniable that it forms an instant group among participants.

Education Revolution

I was struck by the phrase, “instant gratification learning,” for a multitude of reasons. As I mentioned in by blog post last week, I believe that we live in a culture of now. We thrive off of immediacy. The Principle in the film, Digital Nation, mentioned that the shift in education was due to the switch in cultural values. In his defenses, so far, the change has worked. The schools reading and math scores have improved along with attendance. Also, violence is down. The question that I pose is will kids eventually get bored with this too?

I wonder if or what will happen when the idea of a personal computer in class becomes normalized or falls in line with the everyday methods of education. Will kids eventually lose interest in them to or is a new frontier of education emerging? I believe that it is the latter.

Since technology has taken a huge grip on society in order to probe the minds of the newest generation, education styles and methods will have to change to engage students. Classrooms have become creative and I believe it is safe to say that this is not a trend but a fact.

It literally blew my mind when the boy, who could not have been older then 10, was blogging. This is the first blog I have ever written and I am 22. The younger generations are not only well versed in technology but possibly better then our generation.

In my Information Society class, my professor brought in a one of the one laptop per child laptop. As we discussed in class, it was created for young children to use. They can figure out how to work it and open it within a matter of seconds. My professor passed around the laptop with a smirk on his face and asked us to simply “open it.” The laptop was passed from student to student each unable to open it. Finally, when it reached the 8^th student he figured it out. Observing this it made me realize that the younger generations are not only better versed in technology but able to adapt to technology much better then most of my peers. With the education revolution underway, it will be interesting to see how those who grew up fluent with technology will be at our age.

Now, Now, Now!

We live in a culture of now. Our cell phones have become extensions of ourselves acting as our lifelines between friends and family, we rely on instant coffee to get us through the day, and obsessively check our e-mail ensuring that we are on top of our game.

As discussed in Digital Nation, a vacation no longer means you are out of contact with your life at home. Now, you are simply in an arguably more luxurious location with your laptop and Smartphone at your fingertips. You are still able, many times expected, to answer e-mails, calls, and perhaps attend a meeting via Skype. So, what is vacation now? The chance to answer e-mails on the slopes of Telluride or perhaps take a phone call on the beaches of St. Barts? The concept of turning off your phone or not answering e-mail for a week is unheard of. Our coworkers and friends expect us to respond immediately to texts, bbm’s, and e-mails. We are forced as well as encouraged to multitask efficiently.

After watching the clip if Digital Nation in class the issue of multitasking resonated with me. Now more than ever a strong emphasis has been placed on the ability to complete multiple tasks in timely manner. Job postings often cite the ability to efficiently multitask to be a “must have.” Regardless of studies that have proved that multitasking may not be the most effective means of business it still holds court in local and global business. Often linking the talent to the ‘new generation.’ We have grown up with the concept of instant gratification and immediacy. However, as technology advances have we lost personalized means of communication? During the film, one boy mentioned that it is a new social code has developed among our generation. It is now acceptable to text, email, etc while at dinner or hanging out amongst friends. Although I am not sure that I agree that it is a “social code” per say, it is prominent among younger generations. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve walked through the Pryzbyla Center and noticed groups of friends sitting around tables not talking, but texting. Perhaps, as technology changes the way we communicate with each other changes as well.

The Change We Need

The idea of bestowing computers to children who cannot afford them or where they are not readily accessible is a fantastic and noble idea. It is something that would bridge the digital divided and expand the knowledge of all those who benefit. Not only would they have access to the Internet and the information that it holds they would have access to items that they may never come in contact with. For instance the TamTam, “lets a child use the machine to generate music and drumbeats,” by using the mesh networks they can create a symphony by choosing other instruments to compliment their own. Student may become exposed to music that they have never come in contact with or otherwise heard. They have to work to create a symphony they have to have a basic knowledge of computers. They may learn that they like working with computers or that technology interest them,

A simple computer can allow a child to develop their talents and expand their horizon, possibly teaching them a skill and keeping them out of trouble. Call me a dreamer, but perhaps theses computers will inspire users to strive for more. They will have the ability to discover new entities that their parents and grandparent may not have been lucky enough to know.

By giving a child a computer it not only teaches them new trades and information but it instills a sense of pride, it is their computer. They can take care of it, learn from it, and learn a skill. The knowledge of a computer is an irreplaceable skill that will enrich the users current life and possibly lead to a trained profession or a means to an end. With that knowledge, users could obtain a secure job and possibly hoist their family out of poverty.

Anything that enriches the lives of children should be looked into and explored. Even if it only touches a few children, it is well worth it. The computers are basically indestructible and are something that should last the test of time, both literally and physically. The idea of education and teaching children to use the computer still comes into the picture but slowly but surely we are changing the way the world looks at technology.

Can a bridge really be fostered?

With technological advances being revealed almost everyday it’s hard for many people to keep up, let alone those who do not have access to technology at all. I feel confident in assessing that the Sudanese are not comparing Apple’s iPad to Microsoft’s Tablet and they are certainly not concerned if their Kindle is even relevant in today’s day and age. Although programs have been implemented to bridge the digital divide, I can’t help but wonder if it is even possible to begin to fix this problem.

There are over 6 billion people in the world; some of them are lucky enough to have means to technology while others are simply left in the dust. If we were to give every person a computer that still would not fix the vast divide. What need to be focused on is education as well as the desire to learn. For instance, one Christmas my uncle bought my grandmother a laptop; she politely smiled as he set it up and she has not touched it once. She does not have any interest in it, claiming it is for a younger generation and she does not know how to use it. She declines lessons and does not see the advantages of reading the newspaper online when she can have a physical copy in her hand. Perhaps this point is moot because she is not willing to learn, and frankly has no desire. My point being however, there will always be those who are not interested in technology. That does not mean however that they should not be exposed to it. I am sure if my grandmother knew how to work a computer, say like I know how, she would feel differently about her laptop, which is now simply and other thing for her to dust.

Education is the most important issue regarding the divide, if people don’t know how to use the computer they will simply get frustrated and give up. The issue is also the ever changing technology and time. It takes time to learn new programs and to adjust to the quirks. Even if people in third world countries have access to computers they may not have access to the newest and most useful forms software or programs. Although that is not a central point in the digital divide, it is still interesting to look at. It is a classic example of the have’s and the have not’s. Those who can afford the time and the monetary cost are clearly given and advantage. Many people simply just do not have the time to sit and figure out the in’s and out’s of a computer putting them at a disadvantage. While it is unlikely that the whole world will ever be on the same page financially it seems to me there will always be a divide in technology.

Is there a method to the madness?

In class, the question was raised what would happen if students were able to personalize their education and manipulate their schedule allowing it to reflect their interests. After all it is their money, should they have a say in what they learn or does the school know best? Is there a method to the madness?

The idea of a personalized education is alluring. My GPA would be higher, I would generally be excited to attend every single one of my classes, and I certainly would never had to suffer through tedious hours of philosophy lectures seated in uncomfortable chairs. But I can’t help but thinking that perhaps, I would be boring.

Although I honestly have not enjoyed every class I have taken at Catholic, in each class I learned something that fostered a different way of thinking. It challenged me. I had to learn to interact with those whose views differed from mine and how to effectively work with them. After all, in the “real world” you will not be around like-minded thinkers 24 -7, you will have to interact with those who harbor different perspectives.

We need to come into contract with opinions that are different from our own, perhaps simply to reinforce our own personal views or to become more tolerant. We need opposing views and information to shape us and to accept others for who they are. I also believe that you need to be surrounded by those of different interests, not only to inject energy into a discussion but multiple perspectives. We need people to challenge us, give us a run for our money. In regards to personalization, Sunstein states “students often lack the information that would enable them to make fully informed choices.” Would students simply glide by taking the easy classes, avoiding the classes that forced students to go above and beyond? A personalized education would hinder students who come to college “undecided.” Arguably they need to be subjected to a multitude of classes that would allow them to learn what they liked and what they did not like.

Students need to be submerged into a multitude of different teaching styles and classes to shape them and to allow them to find out who they are. Students bond with fellow classmates while commiserating about subjects and professors they might not take a keen liking to, creating a common thread. In the end, we all need to experience things that we don’t like. It shapes us; it makes us who we are.