Right before I was about to start my paper, I turned on the television and discovered that Wall-E was starting in 5 minutes. Not only was this a great way to further procrastinate doing school work, but it was also relevant. The movie further helped me decide on my side of the argument. As silly as it sounds, Wall-E shows what we will become if we don’t starting moving towards putting the green movement into effect and become fully dependent on technology. We are so consumed by technology as it is, and with new things emerging so rapidly, it is hard to not get distracted and take a moment to appreciate the real world around us.
So far, I have picked out a few points in Slade’s work that I would like to cover or mention to help back up my argument that society is not moving towards change and we will continue on a path of destruction. I feel as it many of the points explain the same thing, though, but I did not want to include history in the paper, as Slade covers that a lot in his book. I found a few articles on companies investing in ways to generate more efficient energy, but am having trouble relating it back to my paper, as they help support the opposite side of my argument. I am also finding it difficult to keep my opinion out of this paper as this is such a controversial topic. There are so many directions to go with this paper, I just have to find where to start. This assignment will certainly be a challenge.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Final Paper Ideas/Progress I
While both topics given to us for the final paper are very relevant and intriguing, I think I am going to choose the second option, regarding “Made to Break” by Giles Slade and the green movement. “Going green” refers to the sustainable management of resources and is an idea that is progressively growing in society. As many individuals have always been interested in doing what is best for this planet, it seems that this idea is fairly recent and companies and organizations are jumping on the bandwagon.
Not only have I noticed that “going green” movement is greatly expanding, but it is also becoming a trend, in a sense that it is “the new cool thing”. Young “hipsters” are constantly looking for the next idea to put into practice before it becomes too popular. It would be interesting to see how certain individuals balance the challenge of staying green in a world that has succumbed to technology.
Although we see increasing amounts of companies slowly making changes to become part of the green movement, I wonder if it is for increased profits and to hopefully make the consumer feel better about the product they are purchasing, or because it is something they really believe in.
I have had the same phone for around 4 years now, so I believe that I am not a victim of technology’s trap. Personally “green” turns me towards a product, but many others simply do not care, resulting in landfills full of cell phones, computers, televisions, radios, and so on.
I believe that it is important to raise awareness of how we can help save our resources and environment. I find it interesting that Slade’s work discusses how society’s “throw-away” culture is creating the exact opposite effect on what many people are trying to accomplish by going green. I hope to discover if individuals in society are even aware of the disposable culture we are creating through technology, and to research what technological companies are actually making an effort to go green and help decrease the horror Slade’s describes to us.
Not only have I noticed that “going green” movement is greatly expanding, but it is also becoming a trend, in a sense that it is “the new cool thing”. Young “hipsters” are constantly looking for the next idea to put into practice before it becomes too popular. It would be interesting to see how certain individuals balance the challenge of staying green in a world that has succumbed to technology.
Although we see increasing amounts of companies slowly making changes to become part of the green movement, I wonder if it is for increased profits and to hopefully make the consumer feel better about the product they are purchasing, or because it is something they really believe in.
I have had the same phone for around 4 years now, so I believe that I am not a victim of technology’s trap. Personally “green” turns me towards a product, but many others simply do not care, resulting in landfills full of cell phones, computers, televisions, radios, and so on.
I believe that it is important to raise awareness of how we can help save our resources and environment. I find it interesting that Slade’s work discusses how society’s “throw-away” culture is creating the exact opposite effect on what many people are trying to accomplish by going green. I hope to discover if individuals in society are even aware of the disposable culture we are creating through technology, and to research what technological companies are actually making an effort to go green and help decrease the horror Slade’s describes to us.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World (pt. III)
In the last selection of “The Facebook Effect”, Kirkpatrick still manages to keep readers enticed. As we have seen in previous chapters, Facebook’s new ideas and tools lead it to keep getting better and in return, more successful. The introduction of photos and social events, even in its beginning stages, was an addition to Facebook that further separated it from the other websites. The new features enabled the website to create a “social graph”, a term Zuckerberg coined himself meaning that the core value of Facebook is in the friend connections (217). Whatever you did lately, if you posted it on the website, Facebook told your friends. Everyone was able to know if you went on vacation, broke up with a significant other, had too much to drink last night, etc. Now, Facebook’s features are used document our events, plan our events, and let everyone know how successful it was. There was very little that Facebook couldn’t do (technology/internet-wise).
We are seeing companies and organizations create their own Facebook pages more and more to help promote and advertise their products, improve business, or just spread the word about a cause (263). Although this allows for open and honest discussion, as the company has little control over what users could say, many companies utilized the feedback from this new tool to the fullest. An example of this was recently seen when Gap changed its logo. The Gap clothing company decided to change its logo and revealed the new design on Facebook. Within minutes, the site got multiple responses from users and customers criticizing the logo and explaining how they wanted it changed back. Needless to say, the logo lasted for a few days due to the immediate and chaotic feedback from Facebook users.
Relating to this issue, Zuckerberg believes that Facebook can help create transparency (287). Because it allows for more openness and lets everyone express feeling very quickly, he thinks that this makes organizations and companies more trustworthy. This is something that I slightly disagree with, business-wise. I think it is important to take into consideration that companies are essentially interested in profit and promoting good will for the companies. Therefore they may only put positive things up on the internet about them and censor what others post. On a social level, I think Facebook opens new doors to compliment others and be ourselves “in front of them”. Although we can always do this in person, the electronic neighborhood gives us more access to individuals and opportunities to build upon relationships (288).
But what is the future of Facebook? Facebook is increasingly getting more popular each day. Kirkpatrick mentions Facebook’s ability to collect data from its users many times, and while this has its benefits such as personalized ads and suggestions and even potentially profit for the company through personalize advertisements, it is a very scary thought (267). Facebook has previously experienced problems with some applications stealing information from its users, and it still seems to be a concern now. Recently, popular applications such as Farmville, Mafia Wars, and Café World have been accused of leaking information to other sources. Are we oblivious to the repercussions using a simple website would have? Is our information eventually going to be sold? And although there are currently no plans to deploy Connect, if Zuckerberg ever decides to implement it, it will allow Facebook to gain even more information about users and not just what they put on Facebook (307). Is this a breach of privacy? Are there other things we aren’t considering when using the popular website?
Although I believe that there are concerns regarding Facebook, the website is doing much more good than harm for our society. Facebook is not only creating rapid and more efficient communication in a world in which increasing and overwhelming amounts of information is surrounding society without choice, but it is connecting and uniting the world (330). It helped create intimacy when the internet was taking that away from us so very quickly. It is a tool that helps empowers us, as we control and build our own identity, social web, and memories.
We are seeing companies and organizations create their own Facebook pages more and more to help promote and advertise their products, improve business, or just spread the word about a cause (263). Although this allows for open and honest discussion, as the company has little control over what users could say, many companies utilized the feedback from this new tool to the fullest. An example of this was recently seen when Gap changed its logo. The Gap clothing company decided to change its logo and revealed the new design on Facebook. Within minutes, the site got multiple responses from users and customers criticizing the logo and explaining how they wanted it changed back. Needless to say, the logo lasted for a few days due to the immediate and chaotic feedback from Facebook users.
Relating to this issue, Zuckerberg believes that Facebook can help create transparency (287). Because it allows for more openness and lets everyone express feeling very quickly, he thinks that this makes organizations and companies more trustworthy. This is something that I slightly disagree with, business-wise. I think it is important to take into consideration that companies are essentially interested in profit and promoting good will for the companies. Therefore they may only put positive things up on the internet about them and censor what others post. On a social level, I think Facebook opens new doors to compliment others and be ourselves “in front of them”. Although we can always do this in person, the electronic neighborhood gives us more access to individuals and opportunities to build upon relationships (288).
But what is the future of Facebook? Facebook is increasingly getting more popular each day. Kirkpatrick mentions Facebook’s ability to collect data from its users many times, and while this has its benefits such as personalized ads and suggestions and even potentially profit for the company through personalize advertisements, it is a very scary thought (267). Facebook has previously experienced problems with some applications stealing information from its users, and it still seems to be a concern now. Recently, popular applications such as Farmville, Mafia Wars, and Café World have been accused of leaking information to other sources. Are we oblivious to the repercussions using a simple website would have? Is our information eventually going to be sold? And although there are currently no plans to deploy Connect, if Zuckerberg ever decides to implement it, it will allow Facebook to gain even more information about users and not just what they put on Facebook (307). Is this a breach of privacy? Are there other things we aren’t considering when using the popular website?
Although I believe that there are concerns regarding Facebook, the website is doing much more good than harm for our society. Facebook is not only creating rapid and more efficient communication in a world in which increasing and overwhelming amounts of information is surrounding society without choice, but it is connecting and uniting the world (330). It helped create intimacy when the internet was taking that away from us so very quickly. It is a tool that helps empowers us, as we control and build our own identity, social web, and memories.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World (pt. II)
It is quite clear that Facebook’s popularity and success grew at a rapid rate, and the second section of the reading helps exemplify that acceleration even more. Within a short amount of time after the Facebook was launched, there were many people interested in making investment deals with Zuckerberg and his team. Soon, it began time for the team to make big and tough decisions. Zuckerberg was faced with choosing a company who would make him a great profit and a company who he trusted and believed would steer the company in the right direction. Zuckerberg chose money (125). In the beginning, one of Zuckerberg and team’s main issue and concern was money. They simply did not have enough of it to not only stabilize Facebook, but further it. With this problem now taken care of, they were able to hire more people and becoming something more than a group of friends with an intense hobby. The boys were smart in their decisions throughout Facebook’s growth. At such young ages, it is incredible that they were not taken advantage of earlier. One wrong decision could have left them with nothing. They were on their way to building an excelling, multi-million dollar company.
Another great decision made by the team was “targeting” advertising (142). This type of advertising personalized what appeared on each users screen. This not only made Facebook more appealing to its users, but it also sparked an interest for more people to use it. Facebook was becoming a new form of communication. People were able to adapt and adjust to it so quickly and use it so frequently, it eventually making not only hard to fail, but hard to get rid of. In 2006, the team and the rest of the world were beginning to realize the impact the website was having. Facebook was not just another website, but a way of life. It was quickly changing the way we communicate and interact with one another.
A common topic of the internet is privacy, and it was only a matter of time before Facebook had its own issues regarding the concern. Facebook great success is due to the openness of the website. Because “nothing on Facebook is really confidential”, if you post something, even if it is a mistake, it is fair ground, and this truly made Facebook unique and unlike any other website (204). When Facebook decided to add high schools to the website, they began to change the privacy settings to accommodate not just the new younger users, but other individuals with careers they wanted to protect.
It is interesting to actually gain insight to the steps Facebook took to become what it is now. The addition of a photo sharing feature and a “news feed” were almost afterthoughts to Zuckerberg, and they are probably the most essential part of Facebook now (193). Many of us utilize Facebook just these uses. We use it to document our events and the snapshots we took at them. We even communicate with some friends only over Facebook. These features allow society to be intertwined into each others’ lives. From just reading the examples Kirkpatrick gives audiences about how much of an effect Facebook has had on random people’s lives, one can wonder “what we would do without Facebook?”
Another great decision made by the team was “targeting” advertising (142). This type of advertising personalized what appeared on each users screen. This not only made Facebook more appealing to its users, but it also sparked an interest for more people to use it. Facebook was becoming a new form of communication. People were able to adapt and adjust to it so quickly and use it so frequently, it eventually making not only hard to fail, but hard to get rid of. In 2006, the team and the rest of the world were beginning to realize the impact the website was having. Facebook was not just another website, but a way of life. It was quickly changing the way we communicate and interact with one another.
A common topic of the internet is privacy, and it was only a matter of time before Facebook had its own issues regarding the concern. Facebook great success is due to the openness of the website. Because “nothing on Facebook is really confidential”, if you post something, even if it is a mistake, it is fair ground, and this truly made Facebook unique and unlike any other website (204). When Facebook decided to add high schools to the website, they began to change the privacy settings to accommodate not just the new younger users, but other individuals with careers they wanted to protect.
It is interesting to actually gain insight to the steps Facebook took to become what it is now. The addition of a photo sharing feature and a “news feed” were almost afterthoughts to Zuckerberg, and they are probably the most essential part of Facebook now (193). Many of us utilize Facebook just these uses. We use it to document our events and the snapshots we took at them. We even communicate with some friends only over Facebook. These features allow society to be intertwined into each others’ lives. From just reading the examples Kirkpatrick gives audiences about how much of an effect Facebook has had on random people’s lives, one can wonder “what we would do without Facebook?”
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Auditing a Wikipedia Article: Midterm Follow-up
Whether is it for academic reasons or to gain a brief understanding of a topic, Wikipedia is a primary source for many people. While Wikipedia is very useful in finding out the basic idea of a subject, it should not be used as a scholarly source. Anyone can publish information, which can serve as a good and a bad thing. Since people are able to post whatever they want, there is the potential that people may post opinions which can create biases on the website. Also, unless someone is updating the information constantly, information may be false or outdated. On the other hand, the website gives many aspects of one subject. For the most part, it is easy to gain an understanding of a topic with just a quick glance. Users may also gain other references and sources from the website. It also shows us that people are interested in helping others. These articles are edited by choice.
Wikipedia is an example of how things are becoming increasingly easier. The website is so commonly used. The tool is readily available which may cause people to not search further. Also it is important to consider that many of the sources are other people’s opinions and it is important that we form out own.
While false information may not always have a great impact on individuals’ lives, in this case, the misinformation is very important to consider. Our Wikipedia article (Decriminalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States), in particular, can have a serious impact on our culture. The topic is about a controversial issue involving law. We determined that this article takes a pro-marijuana stance. When readers are given more benefits and consequences, it is more likely for us to form a supporting argument. These misguided opinions may lead to ignorant decisions, such as using cannabis in general or without proper knowledge.
Another thing I noticed was this article is missing a lot of information about the health effects of the drug. The article simply states that cannabis can have a “pernicious effect” on health, but claims that many of the effects are uncertain. It also says states that long-term use of cannabis can be compared to long-term use of alcohol or tobacco, but these effects are not listed. Readers would also not be able to gain a complete understanding of the law from this article. This could potentially cause readers to take more risks as they do not know if possession is considered a felony or a misdemeanor. It is easy to forget that regardless of the possible positive outcomes listed in the article, cannabis is still illegal.
I found that I am much more skeptical when searching for information on the internet. Since the emergence of Web 2.0, internet users are able not only able to read information, but write it as well. Now that the internet is created by almost anyone, it is important to consider where this information is coming from. In the future, I will not be so reliant on Wikipedia.
Wikipedia is an example of how things are becoming increasingly easier. The website is so commonly used. The tool is readily available which may cause people to not search further. Also it is important to consider that many of the sources are other people’s opinions and it is important that we form out own.
While false information may not always have a great impact on individuals’ lives, in this case, the misinformation is very important to consider. Our Wikipedia article (Decriminalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States), in particular, can have a serious impact on our culture. The topic is about a controversial issue involving law. We determined that this article takes a pro-marijuana stance. When readers are given more benefits and consequences, it is more likely for us to form a supporting argument. These misguided opinions may lead to ignorant decisions, such as using cannabis in general or without proper knowledge.
Another thing I noticed was this article is missing a lot of information about the health effects of the drug. The article simply states that cannabis can have a “pernicious effect” on health, but claims that many of the effects are uncertain. It also says states that long-term use of cannabis can be compared to long-term use of alcohol or tobacco, but these effects are not listed. Readers would also not be able to gain a complete understanding of the law from this article. This could potentially cause readers to take more risks as they do not know if possession is considered a felony or a misdemeanor. It is easy to forget that regardless of the possible positive outcomes listed in the article, cannabis is still illegal.
I found that I am much more skeptical when searching for information on the internet. Since the emergence of Web 2.0, internet users are able not only able to read information, but write it as well. Now that the internet is created by almost anyone, it is important to consider where this information is coming from. In the future, I will not be so reliant on Wikipedia.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World (pt. I)
The most anticipated book of the semester, The Facebook Effect, tells the story of creation of the famous website and the impact it is having on society today. David Kirkpatrick manages to keep readers intrigued and overwhelmed with anticipation. Within this first section of reading, I found many things striking – and it was only the first hundred pages of the book.
Facebook is a new form of communication. It changes how people communicate and interact, how marketers sell products, how governments reach out to citizens and how companies operate. Facebook is used as a tool to help companies inform the public about their product and to help campaigns inform people and spread the word. Facebook keeps people over long distances in touch with each other and it helps people organize themselves through groups. It helps individuals connect through common experiences, interests, problems through groups, threads, networks and events. Social networks are a place of common interest, rather than common location (66). Facebook is leading to dramatic changes in society.
The creators of Facebook claim that the website was never intended as a substitute for face-to-face communication, but should rather be used to enhance relationships with people you already know (12). Zuckerberg wanted to improve people’s lives, especially socially, and I think he succeeded in his goal (35). It is clear that the device to make communication easier. Just by accepting a friend request, you have already made a connection with someone. Then, in just a few minutes, it is easy to gather basic information about that person through their pictures, interests, likes, the groups they’ve joined. The basic ice-breaking questions are already taken care of. While this device is clearly helps sustain and develop relationships, I think that it is affecting the way we communicate and is having an consequence on face to face communication. I believe, in many ways, we are taking advantage of this tool. It has become much easier to maintain relationships. You can stay in touch with someone by writing on their wall instead of going out to get coffee with them.
Zuckerberg was found using the word “dominate” a lot when describing Facebook (51). While this word is very extreme and off-putting, he was justified in his word choice. Facebook has done just that. Dominate the internet. Although Kirkpatrick provides many examples as to how it spread so fast – Zuckerberg sent it to a few friends, who then sent it to some friends, who sent it to more friends and so on – it still baffles me that this website was only created a few years ago. One thing I found extremely interesting in this section of the reading is the statistic that if the growth rate of Facebook and the internet continue at the steady pace they are at, by 2013 every person online worldwide will be on Facebook (16). That is less than three years from now. It is remarkable that a company can spread that fast and have that much of an impact on our society. Has our culture every adapting so easily and fast to a product such as Facebook? Although the book says it is likely that this well ever happen, it is still an intriguing point to reflect upon.
Similar to most inventions, Facebook was a mixture of previous ideas and websites before it. Zuckerberg borrowed aspects from other websites, such as Friendster and his previous successes, Course Match and Facemash. By building off what was already out there that people were enjoying, helped ensure that this website would be better than the ones before that.
Facebook also owes much of its success to good timing, good planning, and the right location. College was an essential factor in Facebook’s growth (39). College is a time when social networks expand rapidly. Students are exposed to so many new people, activities, and entertainment. At a time of adjustment, it is inevitable that their social lives increase just within one or a few years.
Harvard, in particular, helped Facebook gain the popularity it did. Harvard is a school that is obsessed with letting everyone know why they are important (40). Therefore, it’s almost expected for people to want to publish and post their achievements for all to see. Facebook allowed the students to do this. Not only did they get to display their image and status, but the website was exclusive.
One brilliant aspect of Facebook is that we create our identity. Users of the website post their own information about themselves. Individuals are given the choice to expose that they want to display and portray online. Zuckerberg also made it important that every user be a real person. Originally, in order to sign up for Facebook, an individual had to have a specific email address. This guarantees that people are who they say they are, something that was not certain on other social networking websites. He wanted a website where people had their genuine identity online. Not only did having people volunteer their own information help Zuckerberg stay out of legal issues, but it was able to do something that no other site did (28). The creators discovered that people’s identities were being formed through their passions and issues through the day (6). Facebook gave people a “haven” to express their feelings and thoughts.
It is unbelievable to think that a young man, in his pajamas or jeans and originally with no business imperatives, created something that is now known worldwide. By learning from others’ mistakes, having the right circle of friends, and having perfect planning Facebook has turned into, not only a billion dollar business, but a culture itself.
Facebook is a new form of communication. It changes how people communicate and interact, how marketers sell products, how governments reach out to citizens and how companies operate. Facebook is used as a tool to help companies inform the public about their product and to help campaigns inform people and spread the word. Facebook keeps people over long distances in touch with each other and it helps people organize themselves through groups. It helps individuals connect through common experiences, interests, problems through groups, threads, networks and events. Social networks are a place of common interest, rather than common location (66). Facebook is leading to dramatic changes in society.
The creators of Facebook claim that the website was never intended as a substitute for face-to-face communication, but should rather be used to enhance relationships with people you already know (12). Zuckerberg wanted to improve people’s lives, especially socially, and I think he succeeded in his goal (35). It is clear that the device to make communication easier. Just by accepting a friend request, you have already made a connection with someone. Then, in just a few minutes, it is easy to gather basic information about that person through their pictures, interests, likes, the groups they’ve joined. The basic ice-breaking questions are already taken care of. While this device is clearly helps sustain and develop relationships, I think that it is affecting the way we communicate and is having an consequence on face to face communication. I believe, in many ways, we are taking advantage of this tool. It has become much easier to maintain relationships. You can stay in touch with someone by writing on their wall instead of going out to get coffee with them.
Zuckerberg was found using the word “dominate” a lot when describing Facebook (51). While this word is very extreme and off-putting, he was justified in his word choice. Facebook has done just that. Dominate the internet. Although Kirkpatrick provides many examples as to how it spread so fast – Zuckerberg sent it to a few friends, who then sent it to some friends, who sent it to more friends and so on – it still baffles me that this website was only created a few years ago. One thing I found extremely interesting in this section of the reading is the statistic that if the growth rate of Facebook and the internet continue at the steady pace they are at, by 2013 every person online worldwide will be on Facebook (16). That is less than three years from now. It is remarkable that a company can spread that fast and have that much of an impact on our society. Has our culture every adapting so easily and fast to a product such as Facebook? Although the book says it is likely that this well ever happen, it is still an intriguing point to reflect upon.
Similar to most inventions, Facebook was a mixture of previous ideas and websites before it. Zuckerberg borrowed aspects from other websites, such as Friendster and his previous successes, Course Match and Facemash. By building off what was already out there that people were enjoying, helped ensure that this website would be better than the ones before that.
Facebook also owes much of its success to good timing, good planning, and the right location. College was an essential factor in Facebook’s growth (39). College is a time when social networks expand rapidly. Students are exposed to so many new people, activities, and entertainment. At a time of adjustment, it is inevitable that their social lives increase just within one or a few years.
Harvard, in particular, helped Facebook gain the popularity it did. Harvard is a school that is obsessed with letting everyone know why they are important (40). Therefore, it’s almost expected for people to want to publish and post their achievements for all to see. Facebook allowed the students to do this. Not only did they get to display their image and status, but the website was exclusive.
One brilliant aspect of Facebook is that we create our identity. Users of the website post their own information about themselves. Individuals are given the choice to expose that they want to display and portray online. Zuckerberg also made it important that every user be a real person. Originally, in order to sign up for Facebook, an individual had to have a specific email address. This guarantees that people are who they say they are, something that was not certain on other social networking websites. He wanted a website where people had their genuine identity online. Not only did having people volunteer their own information help Zuckerberg stay out of legal issues, but it was able to do something that no other site did (28). The creators discovered that people’s identities were being formed through their passions and issues through the day (6). Facebook gave people a “haven” to express their feelings and thoughts.
It is unbelievable to think that a young man, in his pajamas or jeans and originally with no business imperatives, created something that is now known worldwide. By learning from others’ mistakes, having the right circle of friends, and having perfect planning Facebook has turned into, not only a billion dollar business, but a culture itself.
"The Web as random acts of kindness"
In the TEDtalks video that we watched in class, Jonathan Zittrain discusses the helpful and useful things that have come out of technology and the internet. The internet had no business plan. It was not created to make a profit or to gain fame, but as a way for people to share information with each other. Now people are putting so much effort into expanding this information on the internet, ideas and new, innovative websites are growing at a rapid pace. Zittrain even claims that there are more people wanting to solve problems than there actually are problems. But some of these ideas are changing our experiences on the internet.
After the activity we did in class, I realized that I really never think twice about using these tools that someone created out of generosity. I was overwhelmed with so many new sources. Some websites I thought of during this exercise were:
Webmd.com
WebMD is a great tool that helps people becomes more aware of health issues. Though they strongly advise that this website cannot take place of a doctor, WebMD can help people recognize symptoms and give advice for how to go about gaining treatment for these symptoms. The website also gives tips about how to take care of yourself and stay healthy.
Etsy.com
Etsy is e-commerce for crafts. It is a website where people can buy or sell their art, jewelry, clothing, photographs and so on. It recognizes talent and evokes creativity. I think it is important to support artists and it is always better to buy something from someone who put his or her heart and soul into a project than something that was made in a factory.
Noh8campaign.com
This campaign would not be able to make such an impact without the web. The campaign is a silent protest against Prop 8. The NOH8 campaign uses photos to inform society just how many people have the same belief and support this cause. The photos are featured all over the digital world. The campaign has really managed to utilize the internet in a helpful and positive way, allowing people across the globe to have access to it and become informed about an issue that many people still find taboo.
Rentafriend.com
I recently heard a morning talk show discuss this website and I was astounded at what I heard. Rentafriend allows individuals to get paid to “be a friend” or you can use it to “hire a friend”. The website advertises that renting a friend can be useful if you are in a jam and you need a friend to attend a wedding, party or some other type of social event, if you are interested in moving to another town and need someone to show you around, or if you simply want company to go out to eat or see a movie with. Although I find this website very strange, it is also very interesting. I guess this is a great way to meet new people and expand your social circle, or learn new things from your “friend”.
Musicnotes.com
Musicnotes has an array of sheet music ranging from guitar tabs to musical theatre songs. The vast selection allows individuals to purchase a digital copy of just one song or even a book. Although there is a price to downloading the music, once it is downloaded, users can change the key, the tempo, etc. that the music is written in, making it a great tool for anyone who is interested in music.
After the activity we did in class, I realized that I really never think twice about using these tools that someone created out of generosity. I was overwhelmed with so many new sources. Some websites I thought of during this exercise were:
Webmd.com
WebMD is a great tool that helps people becomes more aware of health issues. Though they strongly advise that this website cannot take place of a doctor, WebMD can help people recognize symptoms and give advice for how to go about gaining treatment for these symptoms. The website also gives tips about how to take care of yourself and stay healthy.
Etsy.com
Etsy is e-commerce for crafts. It is a website where people can buy or sell their art, jewelry, clothing, photographs and so on. It recognizes talent and evokes creativity. I think it is important to support artists and it is always better to buy something from someone who put his or her heart and soul into a project than something that was made in a factory.
Noh8campaign.com
This campaign would not be able to make such an impact without the web. The campaign is a silent protest against Prop 8. The NOH8 campaign uses photos to inform society just how many people have the same belief and support this cause. The photos are featured all over the digital world. The campaign has really managed to utilize the internet in a helpful and positive way, allowing people across the globe to have access to it and become informed about an issue that many people still find taboo.
Rentafriend.com
I recently heard a morning talk show discuss this website and I was astounded at what I heard. Rentafriend allows individuals to get paid to “be a friend” or you can use it to “hire a friend”. The website advertises that renting a friend can be useful if you are in a jam and you need a friend to attend a wedding, party or some other type of social event, if you are interested in moving to another town and need someone to show you around, or if you simply want company to go out to eat or see a movie with. Although I find this website very strange, it is also very interesting. I guess this is a great way to meet new people and expand your social circle, or learn new things from your “friend”.
Musicnotes.com
Musicnotes has an array of sheet music ranging from guitar tabs to musical theatre songs. The vast selection allows individuals to purchase a digital copy of just one song or even a book. Although there is a price to downloading the music, once it is downloaded, users can change the key, the tempo, etc. that the music is written in, making it a great tool for anyone who is interested in music.
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