Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kansas State University, Michael Wesch, uploaded his first version of Web 2.0: The Machine is Us/ing Us, on YouTube in February 2007.
Wesch explains the concept of Web 2.0. This is the idea that with new easy to use programs like Facebook, YouTube, and Blogspot, people who are not computer savvy can connect and share information now more easily than ever before.
Wesch, being a professor of Anthropology, asks tough questions about what this whole new environment of shared information will mean in terms of redefining core societal topics such as: identity, privacy, authorship, copyright, commerce, governance, ethics and even love.
Although Wesch seems ready and willing to tackle all areas of life affected by Web 2.0, this blog will focus its attention on communication topics.
Under the 1st amendment we all have the freedom to communicate and express ourselves online. With just about everyone entering new information online, the reader has to develop a quick eye for accessing what can be considered reliable information.
Just as the reader needs to be intelligent with the information they consume online, the author needs to be even more careful about his or her own work. One can do this by knowing the copyright laws, keeping all presented work professional and being up-to-date and involved with social media on the Web.
Professionals do not need to advocate or promote the importance of credibility to their readers. Audiences are smart. When they find flaws and inconsistencies in what they read, they discredit it and move on to one of the another millions of options available for their viewing.
Be credible, be smart, be professional and your audience will follow you.
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As someone who does research on a daily basis, whether it be for class or work, you do develop a quick eye for for credible sites. For this reason, I like that you mention credibility and how an audience is quick to pick up inconsistencies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you talk about how the author needs to be careful with their own work. With the web always expanding privacy is getting harder as well. I liked your closing... Be credible, be smart, be professional and your audience will follow. That is true!
ReplyDeleteI like how you touch on the communication aspect of the Web 2.0 video. The increasing advances in technology, particularly pertaining to the internet, have definitely opened so many more doors for people to publish, write and share stories and opinions with one another. You're definitely right. Readers and audiences are smart and they pick up on things. They notice when mistakes are made or sources don't seem credible. Therefore, those who choose to publish online need to be aware how smart their readers are and will continue to be.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama has just appointed a new "czar" of copyright. Here's an article from Wired, one of the best magazines (and websites) for tech information: http://tinyurl.com/yb78esr
ReplyDeleteGood post. I appreciate your professional understanding of credibility and reputation.