Essay 3

In Johnson and William’s arguments, we discuss how the internet is about YOU, or in some cases ME. Williams says; “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). This is totally true, today’s internet known as “web 2.0” is all about the people. Between sights like wikipedia, which allows its viewers to alter the information, and blogging, the internet is all about the viewer. These are ways that people stay on track with what is going on throughout the world. This is helpful because at times people cannot relate to everything that is going on so it is easier for them to simply choose what they want to hear. Web 2.0 allows small stories or not so popular people to get there name out there and have a chance. Johnson’s claim is also valid because people simply use the internet for there benefit or pleasure. Web 2.0 overall has been very beneficial to individuals involved with using it.

“Web 2.0 is a new Internet platform that allows users to build personalized content through participation and sharing.” (Mei-Ying Wu). The web is not just based on famous or special people Johnson 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 of it”(Johnson 446). With the web as easy as it is to access, who wouldn’t want to use it? Amateurs and no-bodies now have the opportunity to make a name for themselves or even just make themselves feel important by putting themselves on the internet. The internet has opened up many new windows allowing. people to do things never thought possible. Blogging and sites that allow individuals to share information or videos with others has opened an entire new category to Web 2.0. Because of sites that have these capabilities it is now easier for people to show what they are capable of or even to simply humor people with there actions. Youtube.com is one of the largest video sharing websites in the world that allows individuals to post videos of themselves or others and share them with everybody else.

Youtube.com has proven to be a very successful part of Web 2.0. Youtube.com is a video broadcasting website, that allows you to, “broadcast yourself” (youtube). It was created in 2005 to allow individuals to watch and/or post videos. Youtube consists of virtually everything, from your favorite sports clip to a guided editorial on how to build a paper airplane. A young man by the name of Justin Bieber just recently became famous in the music world because of youtube and Web 2.0. As a young adolescent Bieber was very into music and singing, he would sing songs of famous artists such as Usher and post them on youtube. He posted songs he had written himself and songs of famous hip hop artist. At one point, Bieber was fortunate enough to actually meet Usher in person and was recognized for singing his song. Over time as Justin’s videos were tossed around and listened to by many people and they eventually made there way to big record companies. After being recognized by these record companies Bieber was able to produce his own songs and made a successful single that was played all over the radio. If it weren’t for the accessibility and advancement of the internet and Bieber may have never been able to share his talent and become noticed as he did.

Web 2.0 is about the individual. What that certain person want to see, what that certain person wants to read, or what that certain person wants to hear. A person can open up the internet and type in a certain topic in which he/she is interested in and explore that certain topic. You no longer have to sift through the pages and pages of useless information looking for the specific topic that relates to or interests you. The internet is a beautiful thing, if an individual were interested in famous person and wanted too learn more about him, all they would need to do is go on the internet and begin the never ending search. Many people don’t realize how much the internet plays a part in our everyday lives.

At times, people do not want to know about everything that is going on in the world mainly because it does not relate to them or interest them in any way. We can say that the Web now, “has power-to-the-people authenticity” (Johnson 447). Which simply means that people can do what they want when they want with the web. In Justin Biebers case, a record producer may be looking for a new and up coming artist that deserves a shot in the big leagues. Bieber was lucky enough to be recognized through youtube and was singned with a large record company because he put his name out there with youtube and web 2.0. Using the internet in this way allows individuals to find exactly what they want and no have to go searching around and dig through useless information or video broadcasts. In the end it is simply what works best for the individual and their outlook on how things should be done.

The Internet is a perfect place for a person to show off his or her special talents. Your average person may have a special talent that no one else is able to do, with the internet he/ she could show off their talent world wide. Anyone can use the internet and it has become fairly easy. With Video Broadcasting and blogging people can now tell their story, no matter how much importance it has to the rest of the world. Its as simple as writing a paragraph of something you feel is important or posting a video of something silly you did over the weekend. With blogging and video broadcasting sites, these stories and videos can be seen by virtually anyone around the world.

Through Youtube.com, which is a video broadcasting site, Justin Bieber was able to successfully get his name out to major record labels. Justin’s intentions were not to only post his videos in hope to one day become famous. Justin would post these videos for fun. He would sit down at home and play his guitar or sing a favorite song of his then post it to youtube to see how many hits he could get. It was not until a year or two later that he began to make his own music and write his own lyrics to try and get a record deal. Youtube was so helpful to Bieber, because of how easy it is to use. “Whether you like to watch or like to share, YouTube gives you what
you want, the way you want it” (Miller 7). Youtube’s simplicity makes it fun and easy for its users. Bieber was able to use Youtube and become successful from it because of this motto.

There are some who feel Web 2.0 has become overly democratic and that it is not entirely beneficial. These are people who either have not had success with the new web or simply just do not know how to use it. These people feel that individuals who are getting information from the web are either getting the wrong information or not the full story. They feel that sites like wikipedia a corrupt because if everyone is able to alter the information how do we know if it is even credible anymore. There have been few instances were someone has been lost in the clutter of the internet, but were there is a problem there is always a solution. Wikipedia has a group of people that go through and fix or look-over all the alterations that have been made to the information to make sure it is credible. If it weren’t for the ability to choose what you want too read people may not even read the articles at all and therefore not know what is going on in the world. It a persons own decision of what they want to read or what they feel is important. If a story was lot in the clutter it was not important or the person simply did not care enough to even try a little harder to get it out there.

Johnson feels that Web 2.0 is beneficial because of is democratic tendencies. On the other hand, Williams feels that because of its democratic tendencies Web 2.0 creates many problems for individuals. Although Web 2.0 is very democratic it has proven to be very helpful and useful to people. Allowing to people to post things either for pure enjoyment or to become famous. Web 2.0 is a great place for people to not only learn many things, but to share things with people.

In the future, Web 2.0 will continue to serve people. Allowing people to do what they want, when they want, wherever they want. As technology progresses the internet will become available in new forms such as internet on cellular devices like the I Phone. As time progresses information should become more credible and easier to trust. Although the clutter will still remain information will be easier to find and sort through as well.