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.