First Draft Blogging

By Danniel Leahy
In his article, “It’s All about Us”, Steven Johnson praises Web 2.0 for letting average people be the experts. This “user-generated” internet allows people to choose what they want to read or write about and lets them ignore anything they don’t care to view. Johnson applauds this new version of the web for offering “a chance for ordinary people to converse about the local issues in their lives that the professionals largely ignore.” Brian Williams challenges Johnson’s views on Web 2.0 in his article, “Enough about You”. He worries about the consequences of being such a “me” centered generation. With just the move of a mouse, the whole world is available at your doorstep, although that may sound wonderful, potentially it could prevent people from experiencing the world that actually does exist outside their doorstep. With users having the ability to see and hear only what they want, Williams fears they might miss out on issues they need to be informed about. Although William’s concerns are understandable, Johnson’s position accentuates the positive contribution to society that the web has made. The internet is a convenient way to keep in touch, informed and involved.
Consider the meaning of the words World Wide Web. As its name proclaims, this is a network of information that spans cities, states, countries, and continents. A path to information which offers more than one opinion or point of view, which in turn expands the user’s exposure on any topic with informational sources ranging from expert to amateur. The web provides useful and possibly contradictory advice, which allows one to reach an educated conclusion. Just as one might visit ten different doctors and receive ten different opinions, the web is really no different. Author Steven Johnson sums it up this way, “Rather than challenging the experts, the conversations taking place on Web 2.0 are supplementing them.” (446) Meaning that the ordinary people blogging and chatting on the web are just that; ordinary people. In this arena, they are able to share information on topics that they have personal experience or are familiar with. These sources do not claim to be experts or try to dispute the experts, they are merely stating their own personal knowledge which can be taken into consideration. More recently the World Wide Web is being used advantageously on a smaller scale. Communities are embracing this electronic means of communications as a way of staying informed about events or issues that pertain to their community; much like impromptu town meetings of long ago. This “new” internet is also often used as a vehicle to drive a message to the people. One such case would be a rock band by the name of Zen Rizing.
Zen Rizing is a rock band from Tennessee. Their music is a blend of old school classic rock and “psychedelic” blues. Their musical style is reminiscent of a more innocent era when rock and roll was young. Zen Rizing believes that the quality of music has greatly diminished with the onslaught of rap and misogynistic lyrics that penetrate people’s brains via their ipods. One of Zen Rizing’s missions is to expose today’s generation to music and lyrics that do not send a message of hate. Supplementing their shows in Tennessee with a Myspace page on the internet, they were able to make themselves known to people who might otherwise never have heard of them or their music. If they were truly going to pursue a musical career, Zen rizing needed to be at the industry’s pulse in Los Angeles. So, armed with only their instruments and a computer, they made their pilgrimage to Los Angeles in a dilapidated R.V. Through their Myspace, they were able to keep in touch with existing fans while reaching out to their new neighbors and potential fans across the world. Through this World Wide Web, Zen Rizing has touched over 7,500 people with their music. The number grows daily. Although the computer has been accused of being an impersonal electronic gadget, it is quite the contrary for Zen Rizing. They are able to interact up close and personal with people who appreciate their music and message.
Recently neighborhoods have adopted the internet as a means to stay informed with community events and issues. In today’s fast paced world it is hard for people to make time to attend neighborhood watch meetings, and this was reflected in the low number of attendees. Although people would have liked to participate, the meetings often conflicted with their hectic schedules. Now however, neighbors are kept abreast of current affairs through the internet. Summaries of Neighborhood Watch meetings are posted on a site for all concerned to view. This site also offers advice to combat any threat to the neighborhood. In addition, there is a link to the Neighborhood Watch officer should there be a need to communicate with them. The internet is so valuable in the process of informing people, not only as in this Neighborhood Watch example, but in other areas as well. Schools, for instance, are also taking advantage of this form of communication. In her article, “Teaching with the World Wide Web”, Sally Davidson expresses this by saying, “Students can make connections with their school, teachers, parents, and community via the Internet” (22). The ability for all concerned with a child’s education to be united and connected with each other can only be an asset to the child’s education.
Schools, neighborhoods, and a band from Tennessee have all come to appreciate and rely upon the web to stay connected and informed on issues that are important to them. Without the help of their Myspace page, Zen Rizing would not have the large following they enjoy today. When asked about the virtues of the internet in regards to his band, lead singer, Scott Foster Harris, replied, “Indeed, the internet is a large factor in our success. It is our tool for advertising, promoting shows, and connecting with our fans---all of this at no financial cost to Zen Rizing.” Another feature that the band loves is the direct feedback on their shows or material from the fans, which they use like a compass, because knowing what works gives them direction for future projects. Web 2.0 has been an asset for this band. It has kept them in touch with family and friends alike, it has informed their followers of band events, and helped to deliver their message of “love not violence.”