Hello class:
One of the most intriguing sections of the book seems to bring up the question of “Who Shall Control Cyberspace?”
It was fascinating to read James R. Beniger’s essay elaborating on the connection between people and their growing attachment to modern media. This bond creates a unique sense of belonging as it establishes each individual as cyberspace’s leading figure. The user becomes the sole “master” of the internet; it is the freedom to control the ultimate source of information that gives rise to the endless desire to explore the depth of the “empty space.”
Each user becomes the gate-keeper.
It is therefore natural to wonder who may come to control the medium’s content and supervise users’ virtual conduct. The answer is definitely not as easy to find...
It appears easy to accept that no one should hold such powerful control over any medium. On the other hand, the lack of direction could open the doors to social disorder and chaos.
The essay ends with the natural conclusion that the answer to such a dilemma would most likely come from the very people who control society. It certainly appears as the most probable solution, but giving up the illusion of controlling cyberspace will be hard to let go.
Margaret Maria Roidi
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The utopian pioneers and idealists believed that the participants could control the network themselves, cooperatively, in a democratic fashion, though. It does seem to work, at least a good part of the time, although at certain points it also seems to break down.
ReplyDeleteThe user has many choices about what sites he/she wants to look up. But not every site is suitable for each user.
ReplyDeleteFreddie