Before the creation of the web, individuals have always had access to information through other people, whether it be through the form of mails, conferences, seminars, meetings, and other sources such as books. Even those techniques of gaining information still exist today, information is primarily gathered through the internet and the entire list mentioned above can even be accessed or prepared from the internet. What many people are debating about is the concern about mind control through the Internet. In other words, are we letting the Internet control our views and influences? Is the Internet only providing us a single outlook on how we reach other people? These are questions that are circling around rapidly. Eli Pariser, an author of "The Filter Bubble", discusses his view of the internet and how it decides what information we get exposed to and what information edits out. His entire discussion relates around this idea that humans get trapped in a filter bubble and therefore are not exposed to information that could challenge our views. His main concern the "Filter Bubble" is a problem that arises when a personalized search does not allow you to decide what information can be viewed and what information is taken out without your control. He reiterates that some information is invisible and even shows that no two people are given the same information when making a personalized search. With Google, Yahoo, and media sites like Netflix providing information from their own idea of what you may want, the individual is not getting the full picture and therefore is not given all the information he/she needs. The person is only getting one side of the argument and is isolated from other points of views.
Another article that gives the same point of view called "Mind Control & the Internet" by Sue Halpern discusses the same idea that the internet is controlling our views. According to her article, Google profiles the individual and gives them the information it believes that will reflect with their opinions, ideas, and views. With this matter in hand the problem becomes that the individual cannot gain access to information that is probably the general view on that matter and therefore is led to create unbiased opinions. In summary the person may never get the information they want and are stuck with one point of view. Although these two authors come to same conclusion, an article named "Clive Thompson on High-Bandwidth Buddies" by Clive Thompson actually agrees with the techniques the internet is using to control our personalized searches and results. According to two economists named Sinan Aral and Marshall Van Alstyne, having like-minded peers (People who have the same opinions and views as you) are not a bad thing. By performing a test in an executive recruiting firm through the analysis of 10 months of email, they discovered that having a small number of high-bandwidth relationships can be more beneficial. Through the experiment it was seen that those who relied on a tight number of well known contacts saw more new information being produced which led to more revenue for the firm. In order words, the author and the economists are stating that it may not be so bad to only have information provided through people who have the same values as you. This can also be said for Google and Yahoo as they give you the information you want based on your preferences. In all Eli Pariser and Sue Halpern are against the way information is provided through one outlook while Clive Thompson supports the idea that new information can still be brought in from similar people that share your same ideas.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
President Barack Obama and the Social Network
Barack Obama is currently the president of the United States and is serving the country in his second term. Many have wondered how Obama achieved such great lengths in becoming President and have come to see that he was successful in using the Internet, which has made him reach the position that he is in today. In an article called "How Obama Really Did It" by David Talbot, Talbot discusses the methods and implications of Obama's campaign and how the added use of social networking tools have brought him ahead of the game. According to the article, most Americans are able to access media rich content and social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter. Joe Trippi, Howard Dean's Presidential Campaign Manager states that "You could go online and download the names, addresses, and phone numbers of 100 people in your neighborhood to get out and vote---or the 40 people on your block who were undecided", because many people do not care about political campaigns most people do not vote. Once it deals with aspects from Social Media, people automatically open up their ears. This shows that not all Americans are involved in political campaigns, but getting them interested in your social websites can drastically increase your popularity and eventually vote count.
One interesting idea about Obama's campaign and the his social networking website is that, the campaign become more of a media operation. Andrew Rasiej, founder of the Personal Democracy Forum, states "The campaign, consciously or unconsciously, became much more of a media operation that simply a presidential campaign, because they recognized that by putting their message out onto these various platforms, their supporters would spread it for them", that creating contacts through social media would mean faster networking and would help people or groups quickly spread the word within seconds. Individuals such as Host Mary Hart state "We have this tremendous ability to use this technology to network with people. Why don't we use it?" is an interesting concept because the media and social network is a great tool not only for socializing but with creating platforms in which political campaigns can be spread. Obama and his campaign through social media caused even strong competitors to lose the election. Through using this amazing tool, Obama and his campaign were able to push ahead of the competition and use the modern form of human communication to head forward.
One interesting idea about Obama's campaign and the his social networking website is that, the campaign become more of a media operation. Andrew Rasiej, founder of the Personal Democracy Forum, states "The campaign, consciously or unconsciously, became much more of a media operation that simply a presidential campaign, because they recognized that by putting their message out onto these various platforms, their supporters would spread it for them", that creating contacts through social media would mean faster networking and would help people or groups quickly spread the word within seconds. Individuals such as Host Mary Hart state "We have this tremendous ability to use this technology to network with people. Why don't we use it?" is an interesting concept because the media and social network is a great tool not only for socializing but with creating platforms in which political campaigns can be spread. Obama and his campaign through social media caused even strong competitors to lose the election. Through using this amazing tool, Obama and his campaign were able to push ahead of the competition and use the modern form of human communication to head forward.
Public Issues with Technology and Teenagers
Adolescents and teenagers are being exposed to technology faster than ever before. With Social Media websites such as Facebook and MySpace, teenagers around the world are socializing and creating hangouts that are causing concern to the common Public. In a documentary called "Growing Up Online" from Frontline, a public affairs television program that produces videos on various subjects, the program discusses the growth of the Internet and how the common teenager is growing up with such technology. The presentation shows that many issues are rising from the Internet. Although the Film was produced in New Jersey, the contents and facts from the film can be seen around the world.
One of the main issues the documentary talks about is how most of these teenagers cannot live without the Internet. Over ninety percent of teenagers use the internet which undermines the idea that most parents do not have control over what their kids are doing on the Web. These teenagers go to the web to complain about their lives, parents, and their problems and isolate themselves from family gatherings and actual hangouts. One of the teenagers in the movie named Greg even states that the Internet is a form of "Currency". If you don't use it, your behind everyone else. Another issue that comes from the Internet are websites like Sparknotes in which students decrease their time for reading and studying. Most teenagers lose focus in school and spend most their hours on the internet.
The most biggest concern with teenagers using the Internet is interacting with Strangers (Predators or Stalkers) or Cyber bullying. Many students in the documentary showed that they have been involved in online fights and have seen some of them turn into real brawls in school. There are many Sexual Predators online and as Jess's Father explained, there are no safe guards. Seeing suicides from teenagers such as Ryan from the internet has shown the masses that Cyber Bullying and Predators are something to be taken seriously. The Internet has created the biggest generation gap the world has ever seen. Issues such as Parental Isolation, Decrease in School Performance, Sexual Predators, and Cyber Bullying are only some of the many issues that arise from the documentary and being on the web. Parents and Institutions need to take action before these issues become out of hand.
One of the main issues the documentary talks about is how most of these teenagers cannot live without the Internet. Over ninety percent of teenagers use the internet which undermines the idea that most parents do not have control over what their kids are doing on the Web. These teenagers go to the web to complain about their lives, parents, and their problems and isolate themselves from family gatherings and actual hangouts. One of the teenagers in the movie named Greg even states that the Internet is a form of "Currency". If you don't use it, your behind everyone else. Another issue that comes from the Internet are websites like Sparknotes in which students decrease their time for reading and studying. Most teenagers lose focus in school and spend most their hours on the internet.
The most biggest concern with teenagers using the Internet is interacting with Strangers (Predators or Stalkers) or Cyber bullying. Many students in the documentary showed that they have been involved in online fights and have seen some of them turn into real brawls in school. There are many Sexual Predators online and as Jess's Father explained, there are no safe guards. Seeing suicides from teenagers such as Ryan from the internet has shown the masses that Cyber Bullying and Predators are something to be taken seriously. The Internet has created the biggest generation gap the world has ever seen. Issues such as Parental Isolation, Decrease in School Performance, Sexual Predators, and Cyber Bullying are only some of the many issues that arise from the documentary and being on the web. Parents and Institutions need to take action before these issues become out of hand.
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