Final Portfolio
This semester, we thoroughly discussed how Web 2.0 behaviors and ideas have a huge impact on civic life in America and the civic world. These changes have resulted in significant changes to how people get and obtain information, connect with one another, and societal change. The rise of Web 2.0 sources like social networking, online writing, and digital platforms has completely changed the way of community engagement. One of the most obvious problems of Web 2.0 in our life is the accessibility of information. Before now, people relied mostly on traditional media outlets to get news and keep up with current events. However, with the rise of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, anyone with an internet connection can now become a content creator or “educator”, sharing news and information with a wide audience. This has made individuals get past typical barriers such as accuracy and directly put out information to contribute to public conversation,which increases the use of different voices, opinions and perspectives. Web 2.0 has changed how individuals connect with one another in the world on a day to day basis. Social media platforms have encouraged the development of online communities based on common interests, causes, and political ideas. These internet communities have given people a way to connect, collaborate, and create a “support” group. Whether it’s organizing protests, campaigning for policy changes, or raising awareness about social concerns, Web 2.0 resources allow people to quickly spread and use their voices, whether for bad or good. The rise of online media has increased opportunities for individual engagement too. With the decrease of print newspapers and the rise of digital news outlets, people now have access to a variety of news sources and opinions at the touch of their fingertips. Online journalism has not only expanded the media and news field, but also allowed for more people’s participation in reporting issues. Digital platforms have been crucial in promoting engagement and united fronts by providing tools for organizations, fundraising, and advocacy for social for physical issues. Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and GoFundMe allow individuals and local groups to raise funds for social causes, community projects, and political campaigns which is a positive of this tool. Letting Individuals to now easily get support for many problems big or small and work towards change, also thanks to online petition platforms such as Change.org. These digital platforms have taken away barriers and challenges, leaving people and organizations with little to no resources to make an important difference and impact on people’s lives.
In Chapter 1 of Jones and Hafner’s “Mediated Me,” they look into how digital media has completely changed literacy practices. They use Wikipedia as a perfect example, showing how it has changed into a significant platform for collaborative knowledge sites. Despite initial doubts about its credibility, Wikipedia has grown to be one of the most visited websites, with millions of articles created collectively by users. This example shows how Web 2.0 platforms have completely changed the information access, letting individuals participate in and shape public conversations.However, after knowing more about the platform and its accurate editing and fact-checking methods, I see its significance as a beginning place for learning. Wikipedia’s open-editing approach allows regular updates and changes to its material, making it a dynamic and ever-changing source of information. This example shows how Web 2.0 platforms have changed traditional ideas of legitimacy and skills, allowing people to contribute to the development and spread of knowledge.
Another example from Chapter 1 of Jones and Hafner’s “Mediated Me” is the talk about the transformation of attention because of technology and social media platforms. The authors discuss how digital media has had an important effect on our ability to focus and maintain attention. With the increasing use of phones, social media, and other digital devices, we are constantly bombarded with information and engaging content. The constant connectivity has shortened our attention spans and made it more difficult to focus on long-form content. As a result, we’ve grown used to consuming content in shorter, smaller pieces, such as tweets, posts, and TikTok videos. The change in attention spans has significant effects on how we interact with information and media. We are more vulnerable to distractions and multitasking, which can affect our ability to process information carefully and thoroughly
Lastly from the articles I found it very important, the discussion about the rise of influencers. Influencers have become a huge part of our lives today. They are the people who keep us up to date on new trends, drama and even sometimes social issues. With platforms like tik tok, where you can reach a wide range of people worldwide and gain that following faster than usual, using your platform for good is important. With this being said, cancel culture directly associated with the rise of platforms. Whether this is because of gaining the following so fast and not understanding with this new found fame comes with responsibilities or having an unfiltered personality and taking it too far. I think having these influencers can be a blessing and a curse. For example, kids nowadays are given Ipads or even phones at the young age of ten and instantly download apps like tik tok and instagram. Their impressionable young minds are use to believing what they see face on and going with it. Leading to them following people who they shouldn’t be since they don’t understand what their impact has on that generation. But that doesn’t discredit influencers who promote good and want change or simply posting content to brighten peoples days. But with that being said we need to learn to think before we post, thinking about the audience that can get their hands on this content. It’s amazing how people have been able to make careers out of being influencers and being able to showcase their talents but it’s important that they remember what’s posted on the internet forever and can influence certain peoples ideas whether that’s positive or negative.
The biggest issues I see with Web 2.0 are the spread of misinformation, the new approach to communication, and the carelessness in thinking before posting. One of the most serious issues of the digital age is the big use of spreading misinformation across many different online platforms. With the simpleness of sharing and popularity of social media, misleading information can quickly spread to millions of people before being corrected. This misinformation not only affects the reliability of credible sources, but it also has real-world effects, such as influencing people’s opinion and changing the discussion of certain topics. The development of Web 2.0 has changed the way we interact, with a focus on speed and instant gratification. As a result, people may post without fully understanding the consequences of their words or actions, resulting in miscommunication,conflicts, and even threats. With that being said users have to recognize the power and responsibility that comes with online communication and approach it mindfully, carefully, and responsibly.
This course has fully equipped me to make sure in my future career and even in life to make sure I not only think before I post but make sure I carefully do my research before going with the information I have been presented with. It’s important that not only influencers but everyone is careful with the information and posts they make. With taking the easy way out and speeding through articles or finding sparked noted versions and not carefully deferring the truth behind the “facts” your presented is important. I am guilty of looking on platforms like twitter to get the short cut version of stories to save time in reading lengthy articles but after this course I realized the harm of doing such. Not just for my sake in educating myself but how by me spreading this misinformation is causing a chain reaction as well as sets me up for unpleasant conversations with the actually educated individuals. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this course and feel as though I learned knowledge that will be useful for me in many years to come. It has provided me with tools to not only use my voice and know how to curate blog posts but also how to stop the accuracy of sources and their information.
