In the reading by Barlow (1996) lead me to consider our internet usage. Barlow (1996) explores issues concerning the sharing of information in cyberspace.
Barlow (1996) defines Cyberspace as '...an act of nature that grows itself through our collective actions'. I believe this to be true, it is so evident even now after 15 years. The internet has become such a large platform for expression and sharing of information. It is larger than ever with consistent activity and information flow. I believe most of the information shared on the internet comes from "our collective efforts", that is sharing information through platforms such as Facebook pages, Youtube, blog posts, comments, Tweets and other uploads.
Barlow (1996) defines Cyberspace as '...an act of nature that grows itself through our collective actions'. I believe this to be true, it is so evident even now after 15 years. The internet has become such a large platform for expression and sharing of information. It is larger than ever with consistent activity and information flow. I believe most of the information shared on the internet comes from "our collective efforts", that is sharing information through platforms such as Facebook pages, Youtube, blog posts, comments, Tweets and other uploads.
Barlow (1996) also states in the reading that online we have no 'elected government or greater authority'. I find this statement to be true to an extent, for example at the moment users are provided with options for reporting and blocking content. In this sense we are our own allocated authority. However, this statement is also untrue in the sense that we also have constant online monitoring and regulation of information and websites by authorities.
I believe online information is freely shared to an extent as well. However, there are still underlying issues such as plagiarism and piracy that concern sharing of content. As user of the internet I also believe that it is our "collective efforts" that make the internet so plentiful in information and it is only natural that is grows.
Barlow, JP 1996, 'A Declaration of the independence of Cyberspace', https://projects.eff.org/~barlow/Declaration-Final.html, Accessed 11/8/11
Internet tracking is a serious problem that many people either don't know about or choose to ignore it. The fact is that our movements on the internet is seen by many different corporations. Any search into Google is saved and recorded as you choose a website. This information can then be used for personal marketing opportunities. As free as the internet may be there is always a 'big brother' watching what you do.
ReplyDeleteVery true Chris, I completely agree. I also find it interesting that information regulation and monitoring is making us more aware of what exactly we upload online and where we upload it. I for example (like many others) have made my facebook page completely private. I have stopped uploading personal photos and information.
ReplyDeleteIt's concerning that my information will no longer belong to me.
I agree with you. Without our collective thoughts the internet and cyber space wouldn't be as it is today. The internet has become a free field for each and everyone to express their own thoughts and knowledge but then it really doesn't come for free. We are paying our free thoughts for our own privacy and freedom. And as Ted has said in our lectures information should be free, yet because information is valuable information should come as a cost, and big corporations are happy to buy our personal information for personal marketing opportunities as Chris outlined!
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