My Web Production Blog

According to Tim O'Reilly and John Battelle, the concept of web 2.0 is defined by the gathering and displaying of "collective intelligence." Platforms such as social media expose users to a variety of opinions and points of view that the user may not have access to in their personal circle of family and friends. In modern times, users have gained knowledge about different cultures and experiences through user-generated content, which has contributed to increased tolerance and acceptance in our current society. Now users have nonstop access to the web due to the rise of smartphones, which promotes user-generated content. Users can record Instagram and Facebook Live videos, share them with their followers and friends in real time, and receive feedback via comments or likes instantly. However, convenience comes at a price, because users are constantly risking their privacy. Personal data is being collected by these devices and often used to personalize advertisements on we...

Hans Magnus Enzensberger argues that the media has always been a means of shaping social and economic development within societies. I would agree with this point because, in American society, we often see political opinion formed by media such as news channels and Facebook. The media tends to exaggerate issues or erase some issues completely to affect the way in which society is influenced. The media has even created stories on trivial news to distract consumers from serious matters. For example, recently Kylie Jenner was trending on Twitter after claiming that she had tried cereal with milk for the first time in her life. When we have major sociopolitical issues going on, such as the growing number of immigrant children in custody in the U.S., media stories, like updates on Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson's unstable relationship, only serve to divert attention and prevent people from questioning the faults of our country. Enzensberger describes new technological developments, su...

Due to the rise of the internet, people have more access to information on social issues and movements such as Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement. Social media gives users a platform to voice their injustices and speak to people that have suffered the same injustices and want to see change. By doing so, social movements gain significance and gather followers, which can lead to protests like the Women's March on Washington. The F.R.U.I.T. project, as mentioned in "SF Garden Registry," provides important information about food production, such as where and how the food is made. With the growth of the organic movement as well as vegan diets, people are becoming more invested in preparing and eating locally sourced fresh foods. The internet played a significant role in the recent hearings of Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault. Thanks to the #MeToo movement on social media, more and more women are uniting and gaining the courage to speak our aga...

In "The Rise of the Network Society," Manuel Castells brings up the topic of converging technologies that are fundamental for development in areas such as medicine, manufacturing, transportation, and more. As our society progresses, we see more technologies being "converged" for efficiency and convenience. For example, smartphones have the capability of a phone, camera, GPS, PDA, and many other technologies all in one device. Although smartphones make life easier in these ways, users are risking their privacy. Websites and search engines collect data and private information from users, sometimes without their knowledge, and use this information to personalize web-based experiences. Personal information such as bank accounts, social security numbers, and tax documents can be accessed and shared over the web, providing hackers with opportunities to steal and use this information. Castells mentions genetic engineering in his book, describing the benefits of technolog...

"As We May Think," by Vannevar Bush, provides insight to the jobs of scientists during wars. Bush suggests that current methods of sending and reviewing information are not effective. Luckily, technology is advancing more and more everyday, so the way people consume information has changed drastically. Now, there are interactive web pages and virtual reality programs that provide a visual aid along with data which can help people comprehend information more efficiently. Videos are also used as a means to help people retain information. Many of Bush's predictions about technology actually came true, such as the Cyclops Camera and the Vocoder. The Cyclops Camera sounds very similar to GoPro cameras. As for the Vocoder, phones now have the speech-to-text option which allows the user to send text messages by speaking into the microphone on their cellphone. Computers have similar abilities to his "selection devices" because users can search through different inform...

E. M. Forster's short story seems to represent the idea that technology is destructive to the relationships people have with each other. Perhaps the story acts as a prediction of the future, considering that technology is advancing so quickly. Vashti prefers to sit in her room with only the Machine to keep her company, rather than engaging with people or nature. I find this aspect of the story especially interesting because, usually, younger people are criticized for using technology excessively. In this story, however, Vashti and her son, Kuno, play opposite roles. Vashti mentions the "Central Committee" as well while Kuno refuses to speak of his expedition to the surface of the earth over the Machine, which leads me to believe the Committee is monitoring all of the civilians. The presence of the Committee could represent the government trying to subdue people using the NSA. Thus, Forster's story suggests that a rise in technology would diminish our privacy and sub...