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Halx · 09-03-2008, 12:54 PM

The internet proves that we want to be controlled. We've chosen to believe that technology has helped us ascend beyond the grasp of the mass media, but the trends in internet technology keep bringing us back to the speaker/listener model. Despite all of the freedom that the internet allows us, we still organize ourselves in easily controllable structures, electing a few to disseminate information to the many.

I feel very strongly that my perception of the world is shaped by my exposure to the internet, but the world is actually very different than the internet would have me believe. The most prevalent of proofs for this idea come in the political sector, where it is hard not to be influenced by the landslide of Obama support that you encounter on every single website you can visit. The actuality is that the presidential race is a tight one and Obama needs to jump a lot more hurdles than just John McCain to get into the White House. In the internet, where nobody has a skin color, its easy to forget the biggest reason he may not win.

Politics aside, the popular opinion on the internet is that we connected individuals are among the more informed and intelligent people of the world. All those with minimal internet experience can suck one, right? Well, this is the perpetrator of the echo chamber. In actuality, the internet is probably the best example of a swarming school of fish and the mob mentality. With all the variety, there are still the societal paradigms of the majority going with the flow. With the shift from forum and BBS communication to blogs, news feeds and social bookmarking, the flow of information is becoming more of a broadcast model.

In the past, we've held the mass media responsible for keeping us in the dark, but the internet culture is beginning to do it to itself. The mass media, in this case, are riding the waves that we create. We're pulling the wool over our own eyes. Get your news from DailyKos and The Huffington Post, but don't be surprised when the outside world rings in with a different opinion - one that actually sticks.

To combat this, I suggest the re-emergence of forum participation. Internet bulletin boards are not what they used to be due to the popularity of blogs and social bookmarking, but they are a truly democratic model of communication that is vital if we believe in the free flow of information and ideas. A user presents a topic of discussion and everyone hashes it out. Its democratic AND entertaining. Forums are self-moderating (provided that the management is sane), to ensure that all viewpoints are heard and only the most reasonable ones are perpetuated. Even social bookmarking can't claim that level of effectiveness.

Thank you for reading. Now give me your thoughts.

09-03-2008, 12:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	The internet as an echo chamber. The internet proves that we want to be controlled. We've chosen to believe that technology has helped us ascend beyond the grasp of the mass media, but the trends in internet technology keep bringing us back to the speaker/listener model. Despite all of the freedom that the internet allows us, we still organize ourselves in easily controllable structures, electing a few to disseminate information to the many. I feel very strongly that my perception of the world is shaped by my exposure to the internet, but the world is actually very different than the internet would have me believe. The most prevalent of proofs for this idea come in the political sector, where it is hard not to be influenced by the landslide of Obama support that you encounter on every single website you can visit. The actuality is that the presidential race is a tight one and Obama needs to jump a lot more hurdles than just John McCain to get into the White House. In the internet, where nobody has a skin color, its easy to forget the biggest reason he may not win. Politics aside, the popular opinion on the internet is that we connected individuals are among the more informed and intelligent people of the world. All those with minimal internet experience can suck one, right? Well, this is the perpetrator of the echo chamber. In actuality, the internet is probably the best example of a swarming school of fish and the mob mentality. With all the variety, there are still the societal paradigms of the majority going with the flow. With the shift from forum and BBS communication to blogs, news feeds and social bookmarking, the flow of information is becoming more of a broadcast model. In the past, we've held the mass media responsible for keeping us in the dark, but the internet culture is beginning to do it to itself. The mass media, in this case, are riding the waves that we create. We're pulling the wool over our own eyes. Get your news from DailyKos and The Huffington Post, but don't be surprised when the outside world rings in with a different opinion - one that actually sticks. To combat this, I suggest the re-emergence of forum participation. Internet bulletin boards are not what they used to be due to the popularity of blogs and social bookmarking, but they are a truly democratic model of communication that is vital if we believe in the free flow of information and ideas. A user presents a topic of discussion and everyone hashes it out. Its democratic AND entertaining. Forums are self-moderating (provided that the management is sane), to ensure that all viewpoints are heard and only the most reasonable ones are perpetuated. Even social bookmarking can't claim that level of effectiveness. Thank you for reading. Now give me your thoughts. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals] Last edited by Halx; 09-03-2008 at 01:23 PM..