Second Draft

Nicolas Quintanilla
Julie E. Huey
English 155
30 November2009
Web 2.0 Nonsense
Society relies heavily on the Internet and abuses it greatly. Many are divided by their opinions about the Internet and what society constantly uses it for. Brain Williams and Steven Johnson both make strong arguments. While Johnson believes that Web 2.0 is extremely beneficial and educational, Williams begs to differ. Williams believes that Web 2.0 is filled with democracy and is not really educational due to the way it is used by society. Both arguments are controversial and have a great amount of support for both conclusions. Johnson looks at the Internet to be something which society will not be able to live without and Williams looks at it as though society should use less. Williams’ has a valid point and his views should be supported more by society. By the use of such programs as Web 2.0, society is encouraged to mainly seek out information they favor. Having only a certain piece of information can lead to a misunderstanding and misleading way of thought. Internet users will only acknowledge information they wish to, leaving a biased society to grow. This furthermore acknowledges Brian Williams claim. With the Internet being more democratic, it will lead to negative effects. Users will choose what they are interested in and only paying attention to their own view points.
Brian Williams’ states, “It is now possible – even common – to go about your day in America and consume only what you wish to see and hear….Television networks that already agree with your views….Ipods that play only music you already like, Internet programs ready to filter out all but the news you want to hear.” This claim is far from false. With the use of filters and Internet programs that already work around your interest, it provides examples of how society has become too democratic and to personal. Society simply wishes to seek things it already knows. It is comforting to surround itself with familiar substances. Going out and trying something new, becomes nerve racking. Most are afraid from what they do not understand and are unfamiliar with or too changeling. Internet programs can go as far and as ridiculous and the popular Twitter.
Twitter is extremely talked a lot in today’s media and is overrated. A commenter states, “ I hear the hype about twitter on almost every blog I’ve visited, but no one has really showed proof of it being a success. I mean, practically everyone on twitter has one thing in mind, and that is marketing their product or site (Vu Tong). This is what mainly Twitter serves use for. People go on to mainly talk about themselves and give their own opinions. No real news is stated and society is encouraged to be unenlightened to the reality of the world. This furthermore, supports Williams’’ claim. Society wishes to hear about its own news and news which support its own personal interests. By encouraging a biased characteristic, real news is left unheard.
Society mostly seeks out the latest gossip around the world and which celebrity is doing what. People are comfortable looking up topics which appeal to them. Real news like global warming and the War in Iraq is put on the back burner. Who cares about how long we have left on Earth or how many soldiers have died as long as we know what new outrageous outfit Lady Gaga is wearing? Views and popularity is greatly supported and forced on by majority of society. It is similar to the phrase, “Sex sells”, meaning that products and ways of thinking are sold to society due to society’s urge of wanting to view and ponder such ideas. Society wants to hear about substances which it can appeal to even if this means to be closed-minded and biased. Do not be fooled by the hype society encourages. This encouragement can be heavily influenced through popularity.
Popularity only takes place when a constant group of people support the same topic, no matter how bizarre it may be. David Risley, a professional blogger and Internet entrepreneur says, “I constantly tell people how valuable Twitter is. But… There are still a LOT of people out there who think Twitter is a complete waste of time”. David is one of several who strongly encourage the use of a useless Internet program. He is among those who wish to deny factual and educational issues within the world to mainly talk about themselves. “…Still a LOT of people out there think Twitter is a complete waste of time (David Risely). To these people, society should commend and follow their ideas instead of those whom misuse the Internet for personal influences on others. Who cares about which celebrity is dating who or how much money someone is worth? Once topics like these are in the spotlight, it is difficult to concentrate on anything else. Should teens not accomplish their homework in order to take part in the bizarre misuse of the Internet phenomenon? The media is changing for the worse and it is society’s own fault. Brain Williams’ is among the few people who agree the media is becoming too personal and only focuses on peoples own interests. Seek out the facts from the myths and the educational understanding from the gossip and latest choices of fashion. Yes, many prefer to seek out information which only appeals to them but it would not hurt to seek out others forms of information. Looking forward in becoming intelligent and perhaps finding new ways of life, is one message which Society can be proud of instead of a useless Internet program that serves now real meaning but what society gives it; pure ignorance. Williams’ goes as far as stated Web 2.0 to be a democracy. He is not alone in this claim.
Web 2.0 among many others blogs and Internet programs have an extreme similarity to democracy. In democracy a group of individuals are given a few choices which they are to go along with one without altering it in anyway. The choosing of such an option is mainly do to how much it can appeal to the voter. Society itself sets limitations which are strictly followed and cannot be altered. Each choice is mainly for one’s own interest and personal gain. Democracy is filled with strict limitations that are created by the people, for the people, or so it is. Yes, these limitations are created by the people but not entirely for the people, at least not a positive contribution. Countless, Twitterers and bloggers state issues and encourage issues which overshadow others. The Government will only let society witness what it wants them to witness. Society itself follows the same authority it has been accustomed to. Not to say the Government is an evil aspect of human culture, it mainly encourages a close-minded characteristic. Internet programs are not evil as well yet they too encourage a close-minded characteristic.
“Twitter is simply a conversation medium. What you do with it and how you use it are up to you (David Risely). Internet programs are not created to be used as a negative contribution towards society. Most are for people to meet others and have educational discussions. Society is mainly to blame for the uselessness Internet programs such as blogs have become. It is up to Society to use such programs, if they are used in the wrong way, they will continue to be and encouraged to be misused and abused. Web 2.0 is just another program and blog which has fallen into the wrong users. This gives Web 2.0 and Twitter, a misinterpretation and a horrid reputation. Brain Williams’ is able to see the misuse of such programs and society should do the same. Of course, in any discussion there is a counter-argument.
Many use Internet as their only source of communication and acknowledgement of the outside world. Internet programs which encourage the use of blogging also encourage the use of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech was given to society in the First Amendment and highly assists society. Does not the need of ignorance and bigotry become unsupported through freedom of speech? Do not Parents wish that their children were more outspoken and educated? These are the values which the youth of society should and are encouraged to behold. Having such programs as Twitter, enables freedom of speech, therefore enabling the need to be heard. Yes, freedom of speech is encouraged but at what cost? It is great to support today’s youth in this way but there is a downfall. By giving the complete freedom of speech to anyone many start to take advantage. If someone believes in a certain thing that is fine but do not try to force others to believe in the same way if they disagree. Internet programs such as Twitter are constantly being taken advantage of by the very people whom it is to help. It is fine to give society a way to express themselves but there has to be some limitations. Williams and Johnson both give valid points which should be fully understood in order to reach a complete truth.
Brian Williams believes that Web 2.0 is not entirely beneficial while Steven Johnson argues Web 2.0 is so crucial for society to break its silence. Williams can go beyond Internet programs which mainly encourage individuals to display their own problems and look towards the important news in the world. Williams’s idea of Web 2.0 being similar to democracy is not far fetched. Yes, this program shows limitations which the people cannot question and mainly talk about issues which have become popular. Johnson heavily relays on such Internet programs such as blogs in order to acquire any news and issue taking place in the world. Blogs cannot be proven facts and are simply the opinions and beliefs of others who may be corrupted. Blogs cannot be trusted and have turned into these conversational monsters which have spiraled out of control under the care of society. Web 2.0 should be looked at as being mainly an over advertised Internet program used by those whom have nothing better to do than gossip and talk constantly on topics, which serve no real importance to society but the importance that society gives it. Feeding and supporting these meaningless Internet programs can only lead to further destruction of society’s morals.
In this present time, society is misusing and taking extreme advantage of Internet programs like Web 2.0. If society continues to do so, more and more individuals will believe that the latest fashion is more important than who may be the next leader of America. More people vote on American Idol than who will be the next President. Is this the kind of careless and closed – minded America we want for our children? The most of Web 2.0 contains other people’s beliefs and opinions no matter how bizarre they may be. No actual facts are portrayed other than what society thinks to be a popular topic of the day. Brain Williams is completely right in his interpretation of Web 2.0 and should be fully recognized and followed. Web 2.0 is just another Internet program where people can bash the community and society while ignoring any real facts and morals. If more people keep on encouraging this misuse of freedom of speech, society will continue to be what it is, a downward spiral of ignorance.


Work Cited

Risley, David. "Is Twitter Useless and Over-Hyped?" Word Press. PC Media, 30 Mar. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. .

Johnson, Steven. "All About You." Signs of Life in the USA: 446-48. Print

Williams, Brian. "Enough About You." Signs of Life in the USA: 449-51. Print.

First Draft

Nicolas Quintanilla
Julie E. Huey
English 155
23 November2009
Web 2.0 Nonsense
Society relies heavily on the internet and abuses it greatly. Many are divided by their opinions about the internet and what society constantly uses it for. Brain Williams and Steven Johnson both make strong arguments. While Johnson believes that Web 2.0 is extremely beneficial and educational, Williams begs to differ. Williams believes that Web 2.0 is filled with democracy and is not really educational due to the way it is used by society. Both arguments are controversial and have a great amount of support for both conclusions. Johnson looks at the internet to be something which society will not be able to live without and Williams looks at it as though society should use less. Williams’ has a valid point and his views should be supported more by society. By the use of such programs as Web 2.0, society is encouraged to mainly seek out information they favor. Having only a certain piece of information can lead to a misunderstanding and misleading way of thought. Internet users will only acknowledge information they wish to, leaving a biased society to grow.
Brian Williams’ states, “It is now possible – even common – to go about your day in America and consume only what you wish to see and hear….Television networks that already agree with your views….Ipods that play only music you already like, Internet programs ready to filter out all but the news you want to hear.” This claim is far from false. Society simply wishes to seek things it already knows. It is comforting to surround itself with familiar substances. Going out and trying something new, becomes nerve racking. Most are afraid from what they do not understand and are unfamiliar with. Internet programs can go as far and as ridiculous and the popular Twitter.
Twitter is extremely over hyped and also extremely useless. A commenter states, “ I hear the hype about twitter on almost every blog I’ve visited, but no one has really showed proof of it being a success. I mean, practically everyone on twitter has one thing in mind, and that is marketing their product or site (Vu Tong). This is what mainly Twitter serves use for. People go on to mainly talk about themselves and give their own opinions. No real news is stated and society is encouraged to be unenlightened to the reality of the world. This furthermore, supports Williams’’ claim. Society wishes to hear about its own news and news which support its own personal interests. By encouraging a biased characteristic, real news is left unheard.
Society mostly seeks out the latest gossip around the world and which celebrity is doing what. People are comfortable in looking up topics which appeal to them. Real news like global warming and the War in Iraq is put on the back burner. Whose cares about how long we have left on Earth or how many soldiers have died as long as we know what new outrageous outfit Lady Gaga is wearing? Views and popularity is greatly supported and forced on by majority of society. It is similar to the phrase, “Sex sells”, meaning that products and ways of thinking are sold to society due to society’s urge of wanting to view and ponder such ideas. Society wants to hear about substances which it can appeal to even if this means to be closed-minded and biased. Do not be fooled by the hype society wants to be implemented. This encouragement can be heavily influenced.
Popularity only takes place when a constant group of people support the same topic, no matter how bizarre it may be. “I constantly tell people how valuable Twitter is. But… There are still a LOT of people out there who think Twitter is a complete waste of time” (David Risely). David is one of several who strongly encourage the use of a useless internet program. He is among those who wish to deny factual and educational issues within the world to mainly talk about themselves. “…Still a LOT of people out there think Twitter is a complete waste of time (David Risely). To these people, society should commend and follow their ideas instead of those whom misuse the internet for personal influences on others. Brain Willams’ is among those who wish to become enlightened and break free from the limitations society encourages. Seek out the facts from the myths and the educational understanding from the gossip and latest choices of fashion. Yes, many prefer to seek out information which only appeals to them but it would not hurt to seek out others forms of information. Looking forward in becoming intelligent and perhaps finding new ways of life, is one message which Society can be proud of instead of a useless internet program that serves now real meaning but what society gives it; pure ignorance. Williams’ goes as far as stated Web 2.0to be a democracy. He is not alone in this claim.
Web 2.0 among many others blogs and internet programs have an extreme similarity to democracy. Society itself sets limitations which are strictly followed. Democracy is also filled with strict limitations that are created by the people, for the people, or so it is. Yes, these limitations are created by the people but not entirely for the people, at least not a positive contribution. Countless, Twitterers and bloggers state issues and encourage issues which overshadow others. The Government will only let society witness what it wants them to witness. Society itself follows the same authority it has been accustomed to. Not to say the Government is an evil aspect of human culture, it mainly encourages a close-minded characteristic. Internet programs are not evil as well yet they too encourage a close-minded characteristic.
“Twitter is simply a conversation medium. What you do with it and how you use it are up to you (David Risely). Internet programs are not created to be used as a negative contribution towards society. Most are for people to meet others and have educational discussions. Society is mainly to blame for the uselessness internet programs such as blogs have become. It is up to Society to use such programs, if they are used in the wrong way, they will continue to be and encouraged to be misused and abused. Web 2.0 is just another program and blog which has fallen into the wrong users. This gives Web 2.0 and Twitter, a misinterpretation and a horrid reputation. Brain Williams’ is able to see the misuse of such programs and society should do the same.










Work Cited

Dr David Risley. Dr David Risley, 30 Mar. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. .

Signs of Life in the U.S.A. Los Angeles: Sonia Maasik, Jack Solomon, 2009. Print.

Essay#3draft

Rebekah Macias

Professor Huey

23 November 2009

English 155

Hidden World of Facebook

In “insert article title”, Williams talks about a “Web 1.0”, which refers to how the internet originally was when it first came out, you could research information and that was it. Then Johnson talks about “Web 2.0” and how now you can not only research information, but you can also post information for others to read and communicate with others more freely. Johnson’s argument said that Web2.0 was better because you have more freedom and more choices on the Internet. Williams’ argument says that Web 2.0 was not better because some people take the freedom too far, post gossip and wrong information, and they can scan over information and news and become ignorant to what’s happening around them. People ignore what they don’t want to read about because they are narrow-minded and biased. To a certain extent, Williams is correct because even though we do have infinite access to the world, we ignore what we don’t want to hear and get stuck in our own little world catering to our own individual self.

Williams statement is most certainly valid and is constantly proving itself. One example is a particular group on Facebook called, “Petition to Get Facebook to Recognize ASL as a Language!!”

Web 2.0

Ashley Sumii
Professor Huey
English 155
November 22, 2009
No More Yourspace
In Steven Johnson’s article “It’s All About Us,” he writes about how Web 2.0 is very beneficial and he celebrates it; however, a professional journalist named Brian Williams explains in his article “Enough About You,” that Web 2.0 is not very valuable for society. In Johnson’s article, he says, “Web 2.0 is made up of ordinary people: hobbyists, diarists, armchair pundits, people adding their voice to the Web’s great evolving conversation for the sheer love it.” Steven Johnson likes the fact that regular people write their opinions and their views on society today on the internet. Brian Williams writes, “What is more, Williams worries, with the ability to tailor our media consumption today to only those sources that reflect our already held view, we may be missing out on alternative perspectives ‘that citizens in an informed democracy need to know.” Brian Williams feels that people will not be informed of the important things going on in the world, because they will only read about the things they care about or are interested in. Although Web 2.0 does help people in the community share their views and opinions about various topics, it does not benefit our society because it just encourages us to focus more on only things we want to see, instead of opening our eyes to the more important news events that are occurring.
Brian Williams makes a good argument in the sense that Web 2.0 does not benefit our society and that people are obsessed with networking sites, like Facebook or Myspace. Instead of focusing on the important news that is going on in our nation, people today are more focused on their own personal information on the internet and Web 2.0 is promoting a “me-centered” generation. According to Brian Williams, “It’s all about you. Me. And all the various forms of the First Person Singular. Americans have decided that the most important person in their lives is…them, and our culture is now built upon that idea. It’s the User-Generated Generation” (“Enough about You”). Facebook for example is a huge website that allows users to focus on themselves and what is going on in their own personal lives. Because people are so obsessed with this website, they overlook the ongoing news happening in the world today.
A huge news story that is definitely being overlooked is the war going on in Darfur. Thousands of people have already died and there are many children being abducted and are being brainwashed into becoming killing machines.

Why Web 2.0 is hurting its users

Jack Chamberlin

Web 2.0 has given people the opportunity all over the world to view the latest news and information before it is even printed or shown on television. There are many beneficial aspects to this and people now have the ability to post their comments and opinions online for other people to add to. One aspect of Web 2.0 that is widely overlooked is that while it can give its users fast, up to date information, it can also prevent them from viewing other opinions on the matter. An example of this is political blog sites. Americans are very proud of their right to express themselves freely, as they should be, and this is evident on the many political blogs. Brian Williams says in his essay Enough About You that people “can choose what (they) view and listen to” on blog sites. The problem with this is that a person with Republican ideals would naturally only visit sites that agree with their own opinions and likewise for a person with Democratic ideals, and they might not never see the other side of the argument. Although up to date political information can be acquired quickly on Web 2.0, many times people only visit political forums dedicated to either Republican or Democratic views because they want to pay attention to “things…that agree with (their) viewpoints” (Williams).

Essay #3

Josh Clemons

11.23.09

Huey, Julie

Eng_155

Web 2.0 and Android

Johnson believes that web 2.0 is a valuable resource and a way to keep in touch with friends and family. With web 2.0 you are no longer on the outside looking in. Web 2.0 allows the locals in the community to talk about their community and the media experts are ignored. As stated by Johnson “those experts realize that they can’t compete with the real experts”. Williams view is quite different. He believes the web is too self-centered and when you are on the web you can search for only your point of view leaving the debating side left out. In web 2.0 is great it is possible to be anywhere with the click of a button.

In the early stages of the Internet there were only pages that were posted and could be read. There was a rare occasion for people to use the Internet for anything but looking up information. As the Internet has become more and more popular, it has expanded and become more technical. Instead of using the Internet for jus looking up information, it could be used to talk to others via e-mail. E-mail proved to be to slow unfortunately for the growing amount of impatient teens using the Internet. The e-mail client developers came out with such programs as AOL instant messenger and yahoo instant messenger. This was the beginning of the Web 2.0 era. It is now possible to do virtually anything on the web. Teens and adults use Facebook to communicate with friends loved ones and to find old friends. Web 2.0 is also used for leisurely task such as watching videos on you tube and blogging. By posting a single blog about an idea a company can get many positive responses and investors from around the world to start making that idea into a reality. A single blog post a few years ago made Google’s Android operating system a reality.

In August 2005 Android was an idea thought up by a small company in Palo Alto California, it was the thought of having an open source operating system for a phone. Many accepted the idea and it picked up a following until Google recognized it. Google bought Android and began using their own high profile blogs to create a bigger following. Just by posting a small blog some people made millions of dollars for an idea that could or could not have been used by Google (news.cnet.com). For the original Android developer team, Web 2.0 is amazing! Google had already had certain services for mobile devices since 2001 and it was time for them to venture into making their own operating system.

An official Android blog was posted in 2007 called “where’s my G-phone?” It asked questions about when the highly anticipated phone would be released. It also gave information about what android would be and what carriers it would be on and what companies would work with Google to make the handsets (blogspot.com). In 2008 and SDK was released online. This was something that could only be done using Web 2.0. It allowed developers from all around the world to download the program for Android and start creating applications for it before the actual phones release date. Google hosted a contest online for the developer who created the best phone application. Because of many hardware design ideas turned down by the online community there was a hold on the release date of the phone. On October 3 2008 the HTC dream also known as the G1 was released on the T-mobile network. The phones many flaws were pointed out on countless blogs across the Internet and many comparison blogs were started. At the time the G1 was the only phone comparable to Apples iPhone. Not only is Android a new system competing with smaller phone companies, but it is also competing with the mobile giant, apple. Originally the first Android device was not meant to be an “iPhone killer” but the blogs people posted made it seem as if it was, which is great because it forces both companies to keep making their products better and more reliable. Apple has released two updates since the release of Android because it needed to keep up with Androids progress.

The Android story is a prime example of Web 2.0 at its finest. Two big companies competing and the winner in the long run is the consumer. Even to this day the two companies search forums and blogs and whatever else is posted talking about their products so that the good work can be kept up and the things that need improvement can be worked on. There are many other aspects of Web 2.0 that can be associated with Android. T-mobile sells Androids phones on their website which uses secure connections to conceal peoples identities and information when buying products online such as phones. Many people pay bills online as well which uses a secure connection keeping all of persons information private.

Williams will argue that web 2.0 is a good thing unfortunately. Using Web 2.0 keeps people from interacting with the outside world. Teens and adults alike sign on to Facebook or MySpace and it seems like they don’t sign off. The Internet is said to be secure but hackers have many ways of getting personal account information transmitted through the Internet, It’s just an easier way of identity theft. When people go on the Internet they do not look for the downsides of things, such as what is wrong with Android only the promising aspects of it. In the blogs that are posted there are only the good things depending on the person who wrote it. They will be biased against the other party. All things aside, the majority uses web 2.0 worldwide.

Web 2.0 houses many different social networking sites as well as business sites and blogging sites. These sites produce business and healthy competition. Web 2.0 also helps the economy by making it more convenient to shop by never leaving the house. Where would the world in this day and time be without web 2.0?

First Draft (Nancy ALvarado)

Blogging by Nancy Alvarado

Me or Unity

The articles “It’s All about Us” and “Enough About You” are about two different viewpoints in which they dispute whether or not Web 2.0 is beneficial. Instead of the internet just having Web 1.0 which is based on sites with structured information, the internet has now introduced the use of Web 2.0 which is made for the people, by the people. It has developed over the years and has become a popular tool. With the use of Web 2.0 people are allowed to post blogs including famous sites such MySpace and or Facebook, can post videos that they are interested onto YouTube, and so forth. In the article “It’s All about Us”, Johnson states that “Web 2.0 is made up of ordinary people: hobbyists, diarists, armchair pundits, people adding their voice to the web’s great evolving conversation for the sheer love of it.”, meaning that through the use of Web 2.0 ordinary people become the “experts” and are unrestricted to share and receive information that concerns and interests them. Johnson discusses that “Web 2.0 is organized around people. And not just those special people who appear on TV screens and in Op-Ed columns” meaning that the Web 2.0 focuses on people and their reality rather than having the outside source media portray issues that they feel is important. In oppose to Johnson’s argument about Web 2.0 being beneficial, in the article “Enough about You” William argues that Web 2.0 is not beneficial. William states that “The larger dynamic at work is the celebration of self”(Pg 449), meaning that Web 2.0 is based on self interests and thus ignoring and limiting themselves to important issues that may not concern them. Although Web 2.0 is based on self interest, when used properly due to the usage of Web 2.0, many bloggers can organize a community where they can participate in sharing similar ideas and information about issues around world.

Johnson claim is valid, he discusses that with the use of Web 2.0 people are able to share their experiences which others may seem to be interested in and or can share some similarities that otherwise where previously ignored. Johnson states that “What’s so interesting about local conversations is that they involve experiences that experts in traditional media have largely ignored”(pg 448) , meaning that ordinary people become their own experts in their community by utilizing Web 2.0 to be a tool to communicate and converse about issues that did not concern the media but rather become concerns for the people. Web 2.0 has become beneficial because it has developed into a tool in where people can engage for concerns of local, nationwide, and global issues. Many issues that people feel is important are not presented by the media, therefore, with the use of Web 2.0 these people are able to state the importance of the issue. The media does not emphasize the importance about helping animals. The media is not concerned for the benefits of animals, therefore, the issues are often ignored which is unfair because it is terrible the way many animals are being treated. In the website “Animal Rights Blogs”, Web 2.0 is beneficial, the reasons that , one being because it gives the opportunity for undiscovered journalists to become recognized for informing others about animal cruelty. Many journalists become discovered through the site because these bloggers are posting their articles for people to read them. Another is that ordinary people are being heard by inputting their passions and concerns for the animals and also because these bloggers have formed a community in which they dedicate themselves in helping innocent animals nationwide.

Johnson’s claim about Web 2.0 is strong, in the website “Animal Rights Blogs” it is based on blogs from ordinary people and undiscovered journalists that feel strongly about ending animal cruelty. Animals do not have a voice; therefore, these bloggers have become the voices of these innocent tortured animals. Many of the bloggers on this “Animal Rights Blogs” are committed to inform people about the unfair acts of brutality that are done towards animals. Some bloggers give stories about a memorable individual animal and or about an entire group of animals. In the posted article “Country View Family Farms-Mercy for Animals investigates” the journalist blogger intension is to inform and describe to people about the nasty images of how animals are being treated in the farms. This blogger is intended to describe the gruesome acts in order for people to be become aware of something that should not continue. In the site, some bloggers commit into helping animals through different ways. A blogger posted an article named “Animal Place Holiday Shopping” in which was organized to sell gifts for people to purchase in order to “make helps feed the animals, provide much-needed medical care, and allows us to continue our life-saving work.” This blogger is intended to seek help from people by suggesting them to contribute some money in order to help animals These postings give awareness to what is going on around the nation and show different ways in which people can contribute to make a change.

Johnson discusses that “There’s some irony in the lack of media coverage because the zone of experiences that people care the most passionately about- beyond the intimate zone of family life- is the zone of their local community.”, meaning that it is ironic that the media is assumed to take coverage of what is happening around the world, however, the information that the media shares is limited and therefore through Web 2.0 people can truly engage in forming a community. Web 2.0 allows people to create a community in which at times “including the potential for developing productive peer communication and exchange of ideas”( Walling, pg 1) meaning where people like students can converse with their peers in order to share ideas and learn about local issues that is affecting them such as budget cuts in schools and so on. Through Web 2.0 communities many may find “inspiration often comes from the work of others.”(Walling, pg 1), through the sense of community people are able to exchange ideas and thus sharing new information to one another.

Like Johnson’s claim, in the website “Animal Rights Blogs”, web 2.0 is beneficial because it create a sense of community to the bloggers. The sense of community is important because people’s voice becomes louder through unity. People seek communities “that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users”(Davis) thus, allows them to engage and explore with others that may have same interests. For this specific use of blogging, it is important to work as a group and try to see what they can benefit from one another. Through web 2.0 these stories inspire many others to want to help the fight against animal cruelty. In this case Johnson’s claim about Web 2.0 being a beneficial source is valid because through Web 2.0 people can participate and practice in forming communities where they can interact for a good cause.

First Draft

by: Maria Villanueva

Your Life or Their Life, TMZ

Steven Johnson and Brian Williams both discuss two opposite opinions about Web 2.0. In many ways, Web 2.0 is seen as a great beneficial to the public and in other ways it can become a distraction. In Steven Johnson’s, “It’s all about us” he discusses the transformation of the internet. The internet was first created with Web 1.0 which was used to search only information that you needed to find. Now we have seen a drastic growth of the internet. It has become the source to everything. You are allowed to watch, read, and listen to everything that you please. He claims that the internet has a better chance of getting information to the public than the news. In Brian Williams’, “Enough about You” he discusses the issues that it may have on Web 2.0 users. Williams states, “It is now possible — even common — to go about your day in America and consume only what you wish to see and hear” (Williams, 450). He is saying that many people are occupied searching, listening, reading, and watching things that fit into their interest that it is possible for them to go through a whole day without ever reading or watching the news. Although many people believe that Web 2.0 is a great resource and access to the public, Williams made an interesting point of how Web 2.0 may cause a large number of people to be unaware of the important issues because many websites fit into each consumer’s needs. Internet access has even become easier to manage especially with already booked mark websites so you are able to only see the things you choose and want to see.

Brian Williams make a good claim in which Web 2.0 may become a distraction. Web 2.0 was created for the people, in many ways this is a good thing. Many people are allowed to get their own opinions or inventions out to the public, but not everyone is doing that. There are tons of people who rather watch a video of a dancing man than an interview of a political issue. We are able to distinguish this because of the numerous hits these videos get on YouTube. Williams states, “If it has to do with you, or your life, it’s important enough to tell someone.” Anyone can post anything and everything. These sites have the tendency to become almost an addiction because it satisfies our needs or enjoy the things we see. A lot of people have become dependent on the use of internet because everyone has access and ability to put themselves out to the public to be known. It accepts unknown people who want to be famous to try and get their talents to the public. We see this as a good way to market information and ourselves. This may sound like a great thing but not everyone is searching for those kinds of things. Today people have their favorite sites already bookmarked or saved as a homepage. Many internet users make things easier for themselves so when they sign onto the web they are automatically logged into the sites they want. One thing that fascinates the public, are celebrities. TMZ is one of the post popular sites that provide the latest information on celebrities.

TMZ is a website that is used to find the latest gossip and news about your favorite celebrities. It was first created as an easy way to access Hollywood news to the public than waiting for the weekly People or Enquire magazines. It first came out in 2006 when a photographer saw and took photographs of Paris Hilton with her boy friend at the time, Brandon Davis at a nightclub. Since then it gained so much attention to the public. It because one of the most popular media sites that they even made their own television show. The videos that they provide online have even received millions of hits a day. TMZ have been the first ones to give out the latest news and gossip out to the public because they quickly update their site as soon as they gather all the accurate information. Most of the news they provide are not always celebrity friendly, it provides a lot of reports about celebrities doing drugs, getting DUIs, going to prison, playing with their kids, and sometimes giving back to charity. There are so many people who are more interested in celebrity lives that sometimes they lose focus on their own. We constantly see reports on Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan because the public love them. In the past these celebrities were seen as teen idols but are now the two most scandalous women in Hollywood because of the outrageous things they have done in their lives.

With web 2.0 becoming one of the most used resources today, many people around the world have occupied of using the internet rather than reading the news. You can find anything you can think of that may fit into your specific interest. With the variety of things you can find, it is possible to keep yourself occupied for a long time. Usually the time goes by quickly without you noticing because you may have been glued onto the site you are reading. Many people get excited about all the things they find that sometimes they keep searching for more things that they enjoy seeing or reading. If you try and search up information for school or your work, you may sometimes find yourself on a game or networking site five minutes later. Many of us sometimes feel bored of the important information that we come across because it may not have been a personal interest of your and sometimes we usually seek a different website that we like more. Of course you can go read the news online but not everyone is doing so. Even if they are, they are still seeking the news that entertain them or that they find interesting. Sometimes they still may miss out on the important facts.

Many of people’s favorite kind of news are usually the scandalous ones, especially when it comes to pop princess Britney Spears. For many years she was an iconic performer with her catchy number one music hits, and her dance movies. With her being one of the biggest celebrities, paparazzi have been on a love and hate bases with her. Many of her scandals have become more ridiculous and others with more of a positive outlook on her. Sometimes you just never know what she will do next. A ton of people have heard news about her shaving her head so her ex would not be able to trace drug usage on her, we heard Britney almost dropping her child on the cement ground, and we heard about her carrying her child on her lap while she was driving. These three are her biggest scandals and we can clearly see that these are not everyday incident or events that happen so many of us are suddenly shocked and enjoy the things we see or read. Much of the public and media love her so much that they include a lot of positive things about her. Recently TMZ have been updating events and news with headlines such as “Britney Spears – Nowhere to Go but Up.” This shows how much the media supports her. Also recently she made headlines again with her latest Twitter update. Twitter is a networking website where people create a status of what people are doing. It is a way to inform the public about their thoughts or news. A hacker went on Britney Spears’ account saying, “I give myself to Lucifer everyday for it to arrive as quickly as possible. Glory to Satan.” This caused a shock to many people. . When you read things like this, many people begin to be so glued on to what they see because they find it remarkably interesting or entertaining.

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Works Cited

"Britney Spears | TMZ.com." Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Celebrity News | TMZ.com. Web. 21 Nov. 2009. .

Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Celebrity News | TMZ.com. Web. 21 Nov. 2009. .

Johnson, Steven. "All About You." Signs of Life in the USA: 446-48. Print.

Williams, Brian. "Enough About You." Signs of Life in the USA: 449-51. Print.

draft

Jasmine Najar
Web 2.0 is Valuable
Internet is a very fast growing technology. Once a big machine with only a black and green screen, now smaller then ever. As small as a portable phone that weights in at less then 3 pounds. Today the world focuses on what pleases the individual by making everything customized to who they are. There are two articles that point out if this fast growing technology of Web 2.0 is a great thing for people to have. First is Steven Johnson writer of It’s all about Us. Johnson believes that Web 2.0 has been a great way for people to find things of interest online. With him launching a Web company Johnson expresses how much the company has grown because people blog on their page things the they think are important. Giving the people a chance at freedom of speech. Second is Brian Williams writer of Enough about You. Williams writes about Web 2.0 not being such a great thing for people to continue to have. Since so many people are already focusing on what they want to do everyday, Williams expresses how Web 2.0 continues to add to people being tuned out to what’s really going on in the world. Williams believes that people don’t pay enough attention to what the world is going through. Both writers have great points made in their articles but Johnson has a stronger claim then does Williams. For one: people may be focused on what they want to hear or see, but reality is that the majority of people always know what’s going on in the world. Second: if it wasn’t for Web 2.0 then people wouldn’t have the freedom to write topics of interest that inform others. Although Williams is right about people having too much to do with themselves, Johnson makes it clear that people need Web 2.0 for knowledge of their surrounding, have the freedom to blog about what they want, and find things that are of interest to them.
Web 2.0 is a great way to stay connected to what is going on in the world. Majority of this world people live in may be consumed with what each person wants to hear or listen to but this includes everyone. Everyone does what they want to do and everyone has some kind of an interest in what’s going on today. While doing some research for a topic that had to include something off of Web 2.0 a new product was discovered off the Web. It was a sustainable product made to better our environment. Something that caught peoples attention when finding out that they were destroying the plant. When people find this information alarming people automatically want to fix it, correct? Well this one product helps everyone to better the environment. What’s the big deal? Well people/ buyers would have not found this product if it wasn’t for Web 2.0 and it’s bloggers. Just like Johnson says, “But without that extraordinary wave of place logging, we’d have nothing to work with”. With this information Williams claim that people are not looking at what’s going on in today’s world is out beat by Johnsons claim.
This new and improved product that was found on the Web is called a Skoy. “ a fabulous, absorbent, biodegradable and natural multi-use cloth”(par 1). This product is made to help prevent the use of so many paper towels in America! It last for a little over a year and is very affordable for the common man on earth. Did you know that the “USA generates 250 million tons of trash per year, of which around 34% is paper. That is 85 million tons of paper waste per year!” Skoy provides Americans with the statistics of just how much there product works which helps everyone out a whole lot more because they get to see exactly how it saves the environment. With a product like this we can definitely make this Earth a better planet to live on.
Now that Web 2.0 is consumed with bloggers that inform the world about different topics it has allowed our communities to be more informed. More informed with the daily issues happening around the world, countries, state’s, cities, and neighborhoods. So many students go onto the internet daily even more then once a day. As for reasons to why people go on some many times is unsure, but posting topics of interest is usually the first thing people may do. What’s even better is all the information given from people who share the interest of topic adding to the conversation. Peter Magolda and J. Platt Glenn writers of Untangling Web 2.0's influences on student learning wrote about what they see Web 2.0 doing for students lives and lives of others. “Easy and cost-effective access to Web 2.0 technologies enhances learning. Shrinking budgets and historical reliance on expertise from information technology staff complicate efforts to deploy new software applications.”(pag 13). This clearly states that the Web does have a strong effect on people, simply because it has an importance in life. Not just a few but everyone. Especially students who are in college.
Since college students have the biggest say so in what Web 2.0 really does for them, majority of students will tell you exactly how it helps during research. The biggest reason students visit Web 2.0 is because of research needed for class, or essays. While doing a research project for a design class it was asked of students to find a new product of interest to present to the class. There was one product found was a new product made to save the environment. Without Web 2.0 no one would have found this product because it wasn’t well known of a product. Web 2.0 gave it that chance of making their product known, allowing other people to find their webpage so people could buy the product and save the environment. While on the Webpage of Skoy, there are many blogger comments, news articles, videos, radio interviews and more. This just proves that this green product has continued to grow and grow because of happy customers wanting to spread the news on the Web. The owners of the product don’t ever speak about how their company continues to grow but they do mention that “We have been working and researching for almost a year on our product”. Clearly they needed Web 2.0 themselves to make their dream product come to life. In the end Web 2.0 has a huge impact on everyone in the world. It helps them to complete so many things in school and in life. Johnson’s claim continues to shine of Williams claim simply because there is more evidence to prove how important the Web really is to people.

Essay 3

Blake Harrington

English 155

23 November 2009

J. Huey

Asher Roth’s Discovery By Web 2.0

In Steven Johnson’s “Its All About Us,” he is arguing that blogging is not a way for people to be experts and rule Wikipedia or express their better knowledge over their professional equivalents. Johnson proclaims that, “These people aren’t challenging David Brooks or George Will; they’re just writing about their lives and the lives of their friends” (Johnson 447). He states that blogging is to express people’s lives and their opinions on the world today. Myspace and Facebook are good examples of these blogs. People post what they are doing or how they feel, or even on political issues. This is not wrong at all and people are granted the right to state whatever they would like on their blogs.

Brian Williams, in “Enough about You,” that “The danger just might be that we miss the next great book or the next great idea, or that we fail to meet the next great challenge…” (Williams 450). While Williams praises the fact that society has come to recognize everyone and be more about “You.” He feels that it is a negative aspect of society because people are too busy worrying about themselves that we are not prepared to deal with challenges that come up in the real world. This is bad because we have a large country to run and this can pose a great problem because people are too into themselves and what they have to do, rather than dangers we face as an entire country. Agreeing with Steven Johnson’s article, that Web 2.0 has given an arena for “local conversations that involve experiences that experts in traditional media have largely ignored…”(448); Asher Roth is a self made, Caucasian, hip-hop artist that made it big because of Web 2.0. Web 2.0 gave Roth the chance, through Myspace, to become a major star because the music industry is extremely tough to get into, allowed him to present his music, through a predominantly black industry, and because he was white people became more attracted to him.

Johnson proclaims that Web 2.0 is not negative, and that it has given people chances to use the Internet as a place to voice their opinions, their feelings, and show their artistic abilities. In his article, Johnson’s says, “What’s so interesting about those local conversations is that they involve experiences that the experts in traditional media have largely ignored…”(448). People are now allowed to voice their opinions and show off their abilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that, “The vast number of people with the desire to perform will continue to greatly exceed the number of openings” (Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment). This statistic shows that the music industry is extremely competitive. Johnson’s idea proposes that the Internet helps people to get their voices out. With, “22.4 million (35 percent) [doing] so daily; more than double the size of the audience last year” (Cellular-News), using the Internet, the chances of people having their voices heard is extremely large.

Asher Roth was born in Morrisville, 20 miles outside of Philadelphia. Growing up, Roth was exposed to little hip-hop. During sophomore year, at West Chester University, Roth posted some of his verses on his Myspace page and sent a Friend Request to Scooter Braun, an Atlanta-based promoter and former VP of Marketing for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def. One week after speaking to Braun, Roth flew down to Atlanta and was immediately signed by Braun, who subsequently became his manager. This is not proving that Roth used Myspace as a marketing tool, but he used it to voice himself and because of it, he was heard. Web 2.0 gave Roth the chance to be heard through a music industry that is almost impossible to even given a glance by producers.

Johnson’s ideas promote how great Web 2.0 is. Web 2.0 allows people to post bulletins on how their day is going, blog about a specific topic, and for people to share and download music. Johnson states that, “These people aren’t challenging David Brooks or George Will; they are just writing about their lives and the lives of their friends” (447). This idea that Johnson proposes coincides with Asher Roth’s beginnings. He began rapping songs and one day he posted a bulletin on Myspace and because of that bulletin, he was discovered. What other way could Asher Roth have been discovered?

Works Cited

Johnson, Steven. "It's All About Us". Signs of Life 2009: 446-448.

"Mobile Internet Becoming A Daily Activity For Many". Cellular-News.23 November 2009 .

"Musicians, Singers, and Related Workers". Bureau of Labor Statistics. 23 November 2009 .

Connecting with Web 2.0 by Ariana Mesa

Steven Johnson and Brian Williams take two opposite positions regarding the new age in Internet- sometimes called the “You” Age. Most web pages nowadays are created by web users for web users. Therefore, people can pick and choose what music to listen to, what news to watch, and what stories to post. This new age has been seen as slightly controversial. “For some, it has power-to-the-people authenticity. For others, it signals the end of quality and professionalism,…” (Johnson, 447). Johnson believes that the new way that the Web caters to you is an asset to people. The fact that newspapers and news channels on television do not always provide local news is something Johnson believes can be solved by user-based Web 2.0. Williams does not think it is safe for people to choose which news they hear. He believes that there is certain news that is imperative for citizens to be aware of, and if people get to choose, then they won’t hear the things that are necessary. Although Web 2.0 makes it far too easy to ignore issues that aren’t of interest to you, it is an incredibly important and useful resource and tool for networking and sharing news in today’s society. Web 2.0 provides a fast and easy way to reconnect with old friends and keep in touch with new friends, and it also gives local communities the opportunity they need to share news.

The “You” Age in Internet has many valuable qualities as a social network. Steven Johnson discusses the idea that Web 2.0 caters specifically to your needs as a web user in his article “It’s All About Us”. The web is no longer only for informational purposes. It is a vast social network that serves as a tool that smaller communities and individuals can use to share information or specific interests. Johnson points out that Web 2.0 is an effective way of sharing information from local communities because mass media coverage generally ignores smaller stories. But something the mass media misses is that smaller stories in their terms may be colossal to others. The “You” Internet is also an effective way of demonstrating that people may not always want the media’s “expert” opinions. “The fact is that most user-created content on the Web is not challenging the authority of a traditional expert. It’s working in a zone where there are no experts or where the users themselves are experts” (Johnson, 447). Social networking was never designed as an alternative to news sources, it just serves as a way for people to get the information they want from the experts they need. Those experts come from tight-knit communities in which people share their knowledge for their specific interests. Largely broadcasted news programs generally neglect stories that don’t include most of the world as a whole. This causes difficulty for those of us who wish to be aware of things that are important to us. An example of a news story that was not shown in the mass media news coverage comes from the Mojave National Preserve in California. This story should have been featured in the news because the issue it is discussing calls into question our constitutional rights.

Recently a debate has been brought to the Supreme Court regarding a five to eight foot-tall cross that is currently displayed on top of Sunrise Rock in the Mojave National Preserve in California. The issue was first brought up about ten years ago when an employee at the National Park thought that the cross could be favoring the Christian religion, therefore violating the First Amendment. The First Amendment stops congress from making laws favoring one religion over the other and stops the government from showing preference of religion. Because the National Park is government property, the cross was seen as establishing religion, even though it was originally intended as a war memorial. According to this article, the cross has been seen has a war memorial since 1934. The land that makes up the Mojave National Reserve was then given to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, therefore relinquishing it from government property. The Supreme Court is being asked to decide if giving the land over to the VFW solves the problem of the claim of violation of the First Amendment. They may also be asked to see if the cross should have been allowed to be on public land.

Largely broadcast news stations often skip over “small-town news” or stories that they feel will not impact a large audience. By focusing on the stories that only affect the world as a whole, the mass media neglects stories that can be very important to smaller communities. Why shouldn’t smaller communities be given the opportunity to discuss those issues they hold dear to them in a network? They aren’t causing any harm by providing each other with the information they want regarding the issues specific to them. Web 2.0 is very useful for when those small communities or individuals who need an expert opinion can’t rely on the traditional experts on the news. When given the chance to utilize Web 2.0, people are creating a world in which they are the experts, and in which specific information can be found among those that are trustworthy. Having specific websites created makes it easier for members of a community or individuals to find specific information that they may not be able to find on the news.

In regards to smaller stories, the article reporting on the war memorial in Mojave National Preserve should have been a highly publicized news story because it deals with something as important and serious as our First Amendment Rights. The people from the community that surround the Mojave National Park obviously had something of concern to discuss in regards to whether or not their rights as Americans were being violated by this war memorial, and the rest of America should know when our rights are being called into question. Also, the surrounding community has the right to have the media help shed light on their predicament. The war memorial caused people distress for many years. “A decade ago, [the cross memorial] came under legal attack from a former National Park Service employee who, though a Catholic himself, thought it was inappropriate to favor one religion over another in the preserve. The park service had turned down a request to have a Buddhist symbol erected nearby” (Savage). Not only was the issue discussed ten years ago, it was brought up again as something that clearly bothered the surrounding community. It might be seen as gross negligence of the mass media to not publicize this article on a large broadcast. When something as important as civil rights are at stake, the rest of the world should know. Web 2.0 served as a way to make people aware of the way some people felt about their rights.

"A New Arena" By:Brittney Hoogervorst

In Johnson and Williams arguments about the new generation of consumers on the internet they discuss what they feel has caused the change in broadcasting online, and what the positive and negatives are to the new change. Johnson argues in “It’s All About Us” that the new internet has give “power-to-the-people authenticity. For others, it signals the end of quality and professionalism” (Johnson 447.) What Johnson means by this is that now with blogging, im-ing and sites like Wikipedia ordinary people are now given the opportunity to share whatever they want with whoever they want. People with real experiences are now the ones sharing their opinions, and with more information out then ever it has given a whole new world of access to any information someone could want. Williams argues, however; that through blogging and sites such as Wikipedia everyone has begun to believe their life’s are so interesting that everyone would want to read about it online. This self-centered attitude has taken things that were once kept in private or only talked about in private, and put them in the public for everyone to have access too. Another problem he points out is the news and information we expose ourselves to can be hand selected by ourselves, this can negatively effect us because it can keep us close minded without realizing it. Although some believe the internet is over-saturated, the internet has begun to offer new opportunity to bands everywhere trying to get noticed, or receive recognition.

With the radical transformation the internet has made in the past years, one of the most positive changes is that now more often then not articles or blogs written are written by those who have a true passion for the topic. It used to be that reporters were paid to research a topic and report on it, reporters are now being replaced by those who have a true passion and interest in a topic and want to write about it. Johnson further discusses this idea when he states, “What’s so interesting about those local conversations is that they involve experiences that the experts in traditional media have largely ignored-for good reason. Those experts realize that they can’t compete with the real experts: the people who live in these communities and know all the issues-small and large-that shape their daily lives” (Johnson 448.) When someone has personally experienced or is experiencing something and writes a blog online, it would seem that these personal and intimate conversations are more creditable because they are experiencing what they are writing about. In contrast a reporter or journalist is more often then not assigned to write about a certain topic that may not be something they have experienced before. In this case a reporter or journalist must research a topic and then write about it, life experiences and actively learning can be much more educational then learning through reading a text book. The band Barcelona is a indie band which could be compared to other bands like Coldplay or Death Cab For Cutie, Barcelona is just now receiving the attention they deserve through a online networking and blogging site called Myspace. Fans from around the world begun noticing Barcelona when they started blogging on their Myspace page about what they were up to, tour dates and even posting their music online. These fans then were able to have Barcelona’s music play when a fellow Myspace user opened their page, it is through these fans that willingly love Barcelona that the band gained more exposure. For many the opportunity to discover the newest band online and be able to share that with others is the best rush, Barcelona gained their popularity through their fans desire to share their music.

One characteristic Web 2.0 has to offer that is loved by many, is the opportunity it provides to be exposed to new things every day. Previously it was a lot harder to find new music because the bands and artists that were being talked about were the ones that the newspapers or online news sources wanted to talk about. Now with Web 2.0 it is the fans that are blogging and exposing the world to new bands and artists. While Barcelona did create their own Myspace page, they would have gained no exposure had other Myspace users not added them as friends. With 23,809 fans to date, it is these fans that are spreading the word of Barcelona via internet (Myspace.com.) Barcelona is now signed to a major record label company and gaining more and more exposure. Had Barcelona never created a Myspace page they may have never been given the opportunity to have a successful career in the music industry, that they now have. If Barcelona had left it up to the media to help them gain exposure it could have been years before they ever gained the attention they deserved.

Web 2.0 offers limitless information because it is a platform for anyone to discuss or talk about anything they desire. Previously news sources are the websites that someone would visit if they wanted the newest information on music, movies or even current political issues. However, with blogs and networking sites like Myspace there are endless sources for someone to find the newest information on anything they can think of. There are now search engines like Google and Yahoo where someone can type in any word they can think of and it will search all internet sources for anything that could even be possibly related to the key word. It is this limitless access to anything someone could ever want that could be one of the biggest advantages of Web 2.0.

With this limitless amount of information it is now more then ever that blogging or networking sites are needed to help expose bands, Barcelona received their exposure through their fan base. Without their fan base to blog, post their music on their sites or even just talk to their friends about Barcelona it would have been a long time before Barcelona received any attention for their music. Continuously on Barcelona’s Myspace site they thank their fans and supporters because they know how much of an impact they have made. Through a true interest in a band, book or online blog fans everywhere are continuously contributing to a creator’s popularity by networking online, and adding to the massive pool of information available on the internet.

While Williams provides many good reasons why the internet shift has been destructive it is important to understand why Johnson's argument is generally stronger. The internet has gone from a structured way of the past into a revolutionary arena for everyone to share what they feel is most important from all genres and all walks of life. Bands like Barcelona, which may have never received attention from the old ways of the internet, are now receiving credit and attention for their talents. The new arena the internet now encompasses does not judge, it provides information from those who are most passionate about a topic.