One word to describe my reaction to both these articles
So far, I've only been reading and hearing about how great the internet has made the world. How it's connected people from across the world in ways we never would have imagined 20 years ago. How it has allowed the flow of information to reach different parts of the world in a matter of seconds.
I completely disagree with what Doris Lessing said, quoted in Nobel Laureate Says The Internet Makes Us Dumb, We Say: Meh. I think the internet has allowed those with internet capabilities to access tons of information very quickly. The internet has been a detriment in one area though, social interaction.
The face to face interaction we encounter with one another has been dwindled down to Skype/AIM/MSN. We no longer have to physically walk to someone's house or meet up for coffee if we want to "catch up". It removes the experience of human interaction and makes us socially awkward. An example of this is internet dating.
The second article I read, The Digital Emperor Has No Clothes, bashed mostly on bloggers. I don't think bloggers are trying to take away the credibility of writers for The New York Times or The Washington Post. Bloggers are trying to express an opinion or different side to the story. There are always two sides to a story and its always interesting to know both sides. Web 2.0 can allow for an amateur blogger/writer to gain merit or a credibility through other credible writers/authors/bloggers. So there is a system in place that can allow readers to realize the authenticity of an article or blogger along with the information contained within it.
That's it for this week
Stay Tuned! CHANDOO OUT!
I totally agree with your blog post regarding how the internet has a detrimental impact on social interaction. The internet technology allows people to break up a relationship via an instant message, email, Facebook message, or Skype without having to engaging in further physical interactions. The Internet is a way for people to avoid social situations.
ReplyDeleteI agree that bloggers aren't trying to take away from credible news sources...bloggers just want to be able to voice their opinions. I also agree that technology has made many people socially awkward because they aren't used to communicating face to face. Too many people hide behind their computer screens.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I never thought about that "socially awkward". Thanks for the insight. But coming to think of it, I did witness someone being bashful or antisocial. Like I have this friend she keeps up with everyone on her friend list via Facebook. I have no idea how she finds the time to comment on everyone's status but whenever she's in the company of those same people on her list, she acts so strangely, always isolating herself from the group. At least now I know the reason for that.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the statement that the internet restricts social interaction. Sure it limits face to face interaction but some times that isnt possible. When a friend has moved to another state or country, the internet has allowed those people to stay in contact. I think the internet has just changed the way people interact socially rather than restrain it from happening.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right that the Internet allows for an incredible and limitless flow of information and that these authors that we read misunderstand that. But I can't help but wonder if maybe we think this way because of our upbringing in this age of connectedness. Does this older generation simply fail to see this potential because of their more traditional upbringing or are we failing to see its flaws because of ours? Deep stuff...
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