2nd Draft- Kara Lindstrom

Kara Lindstrom
Professor Huey
English 155
3 December 2009
Cover Letter
The writing process for this draft was some what challenging. I have always found it hard to get into the critical thinking aspect of writing. That was definitely the hardest part but once I got into the flow of writing I was able to finish the essay. The topic I chose did prove to be very interesting for me mostly because of my evidence which was about the singer Jeffree Star. Because I was so fascinated with him, I found that the paragraphs which included evidence was the easiest part to write and I had some fun with it. Overall the writing process was long and to some extent difficult but I feel that it is one of my best essays so far.


Kara Lindstrom
Professor Huey
English 155
3 December 2009
Johnson vs. Williams
In today's society, the Internet is a valuable tool. There are those who agree with this and then there are those who do not. In the article by Steven Johnson titled It's All About Us, he discusses the differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. Although Johnson is a firm believer in the power of Web 2.0, a man named Brian Williams is on the other end of the spectrum. In William's article, Enough About You, he argues that people today are too focused on themselves. He feels that people will be missing out on certain things because they only look for things they want. It is an all about me mentality. Since people only look at what they like, they tend to dismiss other views without even giving them a chance. Although Web 2.0 is seen as being a “me centered world,” it is important because it connects people to each other from all over the world. While Williams brings up a good point, Johnson has a stronger argument because “Web 2.0 is made up of ordinary people”(446) and it also provides a way for people to get information that is otherwise dismissed in the media.
When it comes to why Web 2.0 is important, Johnson makes a valid claim. The Internet provides a great way for people to get their voice heard. Unlike Web 1.0, “Web 2.0 is often presented as a revolutionary way of gathering, organizing, and sharing of information” (Wamelen 349). People can do this through websites such as Myspace and Facebook. On these social networking sites, anyone can post what happens in their day to day life in blogs, which are diaries posted on the web for anyone to read and comment on. Everyday people are getting the word out about important information such as charities, local news stories and even promoting a band that the media ignores. Through the Internet people are able to connect to each other like never before. Since there are basically no rules for what can be posted, people are free to do and say what they want. Although Johnson has a solid point, he also recognizes that “there is undeniably a vast increase in the sheer quantity of accessibility of crap” (447). This comes in part because of the popular site Wikipedia. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that is available online. The problem with it is the fact that it can be edited by anyone. Due to this, some of the information may be totally wrong even though they do have editors that are supposed to catch and delete any false information. Although there is a lot of crap available, there is also knowledgeable information that can be found. It is a way for people to be heard such as the rising star Jeffree Star. He got his rise to fame from posting his music on Myspace.
Jeffree Star is definitely not the average person but he was able to get his voice heard through the popular website Myspace. Star was born as Jeffrey Steininger on November 15, 1986. From the beginning he had a rough life. When he was a young child, he father passed away so he was left to live with his mother. Around that time is when he began to realize that he was different. He came to the conclusion that he way gay. From that point on, he began to experiment with his mother's make-up and clothing. He was just a young boy exploring his sexuality. This eventually lead to him becoming a make-up artist at gender bending clubs at the age of 15. When he was older, he got a fake id that would get him into the hottest Hollywood Clubs. He would show up in mini dresses and high heels with hot pink hair. People definitely took a notice to him and he got signed as model. He was happy with this life but what he really wanted was to be a musician but no one would take him seriously until he got a Myspace. From here he began to explode on the Internet communities. He wants to let people know that just because they are different does not mean that it is impossible to make it as a musician. Since he is a gay, gender bending male, he writes songs that deal with being a little out there and the fact that he is not ashamed of who he is. He was able to get his message out through Web 2.0.
One valid point that Johnson makes about Web 2.0 is the fact that it is way for people to get their voice heard. The kinds of people on the web varies from preteens to business people and those that want to stand up for something and be heard. This is happening all over the Internet. People are getting their voice heard through blogs and sites like Myspace. It is so easy to start a page on Myspace which makes it a great way for people to get their music heard and their opinions out there. All they have to do is post what they want others to know about. Soon enough people in their local community or the Internet community, depending on the topic, become aware of the blog. For some this is how people get most of their news or information. It is quick and easy and anyone can find almost exactly what they want to know. In some cases, people will not have heard these stories because the media may have chosen to ignore it due to its taboo nature. Through Web 2.0, people have the power to make a difference in their local communities and get the word out about what they feel so strong about.
Jeffree Star has been successful in getting his music out and into the media
spotlight through the website Myspace. Ever since Star was in his teen years, he has always been in the Hollywood scene but not because of his music. The media dismisses a musician like Star, due to the fact that he is a gay although the media praises other gay musicians. The media ignores Star because he is into wearing make-up and cross dressing. He is an outcast to society because he likes to gender bend but thanks to websites like Myspace and Buzznet he is able to get his music out to the world. When he first got his Myspace it was just a his personal page but he soon learned that he could convert it to a music page which launched his career. Soon after that he performed at the Key Club's post Halloween show along with the band Dirty Sanchez (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffree_Star). In March of 2007, he released his debut album Plastic Surgery Slumber Party which went straight to number one on the iTunes chart. Since then he has been on numerous tours such as the annual Vans Warped Tour and has put out two more cds which have topped the charts as well. Since getting his music on Myspace, Star has received critical acclaim for his musicianship and has called himself “Queen of the Internet” since that is how his musical career was launched. Thanks to the fact that Web 2.0's “content can be easily generated” (Wamelen 350) Star was able to launch his music to people all over the world and become an internet sensation even though he was only a ordinary, everyday person.
Johnson argues for Web 2.0 due to the fact that it is made up of everyday people. He suggests that Web 2.0 is great because it is about “people adding their voice to the Web’s great evolving conversation for the love of it” (446). People are constantly going online and talking. In some cases, people rather use the Internet to chat to their friends rather then calling them. Since Web 2.0 is all about celebrating the self it allows everyday
people to be involved in almost everything from looking for a job to getting a record label. Web 2.0 is all about the social connections that people are able to make. It “has been called the social web because its content can be more easily generated by users” (Wamelen 350). Almost everyone has access to the internet which is why so many people have sites like Myspace and Facebook which consist of ordinary people. Anyone can write blogs about their personal life while other users can respond to that blog by posting comments. In addition to posting blogs, users are also free to post videos and photos of themselves so millions of people can view them. Before Web 2.0, this was not possible. The only people whose pictures who shown all over the world were celebrities. Due to Web 2.0, regular people have the power to get themselves out to the world.
Although Jeffree Star was an ordinary man, he was able to make his name known by taking advantage of Web 2.0. Early in Star’s life he learned that the internet was his best friend. Not only did he use Myspace as a way to get his music out to the public, he used it to blog about his personal life which included how to help ones self image and gain confidence. Soon after Star joined Myspace, he became an internet sensation. He began to get recognized for his unique style, which consisted of wearing make-up and women’s clothing and of course for his music. He also gives credit where credit is deserved. He is constantly thanking his fans and has stated “Who has such amazing and dedicated fans?” Well the answer is him and he owes all to Web 2.0. In the old days, musicians who were looking to make it big had to go from record label to record to hopefully get signed but with the help of Web 2.0 this is no longer needed. It gives power to the little people who hope to become household names. Web 2.0 is a valuable tool that enables everyday
people to get popular just like in the case of Jeffree Star.
Although Web 2.0 is a much needed communication tool, it does has it’s negative aspects. Since Web 2.0 is all about celebrating the self, it closes many doors. People become so focused on themselves, that they forget about everyone else. When going on the internet, people these days tend to only look up what interests them. Williams argues that “with the ability to tailor our media consumption today only those sources that reflect our already held views” (449) are being looked at. This allows people to cater only to their needs and they tend to dismiss other views. They do this simply because it does not interest them so they do not even bother to look into the other view. Web 2.0 may have it’s faults but it has proven to do more good then bad. It has been a way to discover new things such as bands and it is made up of ordinary people. These people are what keep Web 2.0 running. Just because a person has a Myspace or Facebook, that does not mean that they only care about themselves. They may look up certain that interest them, but at the same time they look about information about topics which they know little about. This helps them enhance their knowledge. Web 2.0’s positive advantages out weigh it’s minor negative aspects.
Johnson and Williams both hold good postions but Johnson has proven to come out on top. He suggest that Web 2.0 is needed in today’s society because it helps everyday people get their story out. It supports things such as smaller, less popular musicians that the media otherwise ignores. Web 2.0 gives a voice to those who have a hard time getting theirs heard. It also consists of everyday people who use the internet as a way of social networking. This helps them connect with people all over the world. Williams on the otherhand argues against Web 2.0. He feels that it is to “me-centered.” It is all bout celebrating the individual. He claims that since so many people are focused on themselves, they tend to miss out on the other side of things. They dismiss anything they do not like or agree with. Although they both have strong claims, Johnson’s proves stronger because as a society we are so dependent on Web 2.0.
As for the future of Web 2.0, many things as possible. It will definitely be around and loaded with information. It will consist mostly of accurate facts but since it is run by people, there will also some nonsense. Communities will have a lot of information to file though but it will not overrun them because it is very organized. It will not be difficult to find accurate information as long as it is coming from a credible source. Web 2.0 has had a huge impact on the 21st century and will continue to grow.











Works Citied
Van Wamelen, Johan, and Dennis De Kool. "Web 2.0: A Basis for the Second Society?" ACM International Conference Proceeding Series 351 (Dec 1-4, 2008): 349-54. Print.
This journal provides information on what Web 2.0 is used for. It gives examples such as Myspace and Youtube. Provides details about the positive and negative aspects of Web 2.0. It also gave information related to the counter-argument of why Web 2.0 could be a threat to society.
Ullrich, Cartsen, Kerstin Borau, Heng Luo, Xiaohong Tan, Liping Shen, and Ruimin Shen. “Why Web 2.0 is Good for Learning and for Research: Principles and Prototypes.” ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (April 21-25, 2008): 705-714. Print
The journal contains information on social networking websites. It shows how technology can be helpful in learning. It provides good evidence that Web 2.0 can be used for getting good research. It is about all the valuable information out there that people can access.
Johnson, Steven. “It's All About Us.” Signs of Life. 6th ed. Boston: Sonia Maasik and Jack Soloman, 2009.
In this article Johnson argues for Web 2.0. He provides reasons for it and states that Web2.0 is needed for valuable information. He thinks that the Internet is a good way to find information that the media ignores or dismisses. At the same time he also acknowledges that there is a lot of junk out on the web.
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Williams, Brian. “Enough About You.” Signs of Life. 6th ed. Boston: Sonia Maasik
and Jack Soloman, 2009.
In this article Williams is discussing the negative aspects of Web 2.0. He thinks that because the Internet is so focused on the self that people become to caught up I in themselves. They tend to miss out on other information and miss the other side of the story. They lose simple things like watching the new or reading a new paper.
“Jeffree Star.” Wikipedia. 2008. Web. 22 November 2009. .
This website provided a biography on the musician Jeffree Star. It talked about his early life all the way up to what he is doing today. It went over all his struggles and accomplishment. He was able to become an internet sensation due to Web 2.0 which includes websites like Myspace.