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.