Sunday 14 August 2011

Week Three - Cyberspace in the New Economy

After reading this week's reading on the Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace, I find it rather serious of how Barlow was taking this. Eventhough this letter was written 15 years ago, I find every word that he had mentioned was applicable today. Barlow states "Ours is a world that is both everywhere and nowhere, but it is not where bodies live." At first I thought this statement was weird, but when I come to think of it, it is somehow true. The networks that we are in, are EVERYWHERE, we ARE connected at every corner, but we just don't see it. Therefore it exist in a whole different world, just not in a world where bodies live. 

Barlow also mentioned that "We are creating a world that all may enter without privilege or prejudice accorded by race, economic power, military force, or station of birth." I agree with Barlow that this should be a world created for people to not judge others by their race, ethnicity, and other social statues. However, I would say that some people out there do not give full respect to others, or they probably make jokes of others without any harmful intentions. Racist people would make videos of others for the fun of it.

Just like this one..



Although Barlow stated that they're trying to create a world in which people could express themselves and their beliefs with others, people tend to make videos in order to MAKE their point obvious. Nevertheless, it is certainly tough to stop people from doing that having said that we are connected everywhere we go, it is definitely hard to track down each and everyone of those who are being racist or irrational on the internet. It is only fair that we get people sharing about positive and negative views. The world's not perfect. 

Besides that, the reading by Kelly was all about the new economy, and how we want everything to be about efficiency. "We now live in a new economy created by shrinking computers and expanding communications." Look around you today, who's carrying a fat, big bulky laptop around? It would be more like carrying a monitor. It's amazing how technology can shrink the size of computers/ laptops to a size in which it fits in a handbag/ bag-pack. From laptops to smart-phones, basically the reason why we go online is for the sake of retrieving new information, finding out which celebrity is getting married, being the first to 'like' your friend's facebook status. Without being consciously aware, we have created this close relationship with the internet, and it would be disappointing once we get disconnected and aren't able to search for the things that we want.


Natalie
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5 comments:

  1. tegan14 August 2011 at 22:21

    Hey Natalie, nice post. Such a scary thought - not being connected to the internet. We rely on it for so many day-to-day tasks without even being aware of its importance. If you're interested in this you should check out the link to the Hungry Beast video that i posted on twitter - its all about potential ways the internet has been/could be shut down and its implications :)

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  2. Antía15 August 2011 at 00:04

    Hi! It's true that the nets are everywhere and what most scares me is how our data is being filed after our use of the internet. It's true that we can't see it, but we know that our comments, thoughts and pictures are being stored somewhere and may be used against us some day. That's what most scares me. And we will always be judged, doesn't matter if it's on the net or in everyday life. That's the human condition, right?

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  3. sophiiiemurray16 August 2011 at 13:21

    I agree with you about your points made referring to Barlow's reading. I like the notion that the internet is place where anybody can explore websites irrespective of their cultural, economic or demographic factors. The elimination of these give everybody a equal right to explore and place their opinion on the internet. With this freedom of the internet there is the consequence of racism and disrespect that is created but like you have said 'the world's not perfect'

    I also agree that the close relationship that has been created between the internet and its users is scary. I cant imagine a world without the internet. It makes be think that this relationship leads to the user trusting the internet too much. Many people post their personal information, personal photos and location online without thinking of the implications that it can cause. It makes me wonder if it is safe or not.

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  4. Owen18 August 2011 at 22:46

    Parroting a couple of the above comments here - The internet does provide some benefits along with detriments in terms of the ideas and thoughts that get broadcast to everyone. A support group for a minority in any area trying to fight oppression is valuable, but is it worth the added cost of allowing areas of hate to develop in otherwise tolerant communities?

    I personally believe in this style of internet and that the benefits outweigh the costs mainly because I know the easiest alternative to it is regulation of information which is a pretty severe form of censorship. Once we willingly let that beast out of the cage who can say that we can ever get it back in?

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  5. Liam O'Dwyer22 August 2011 at 01:08

    Natalie I think you make an interesting point that some people don't respect others, eg. the making of videos at another persons expense.

    I thought the same thing when reading Barlow. I believe people do take advantage of different situations and act for their own enjoyment.

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