"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.