Posts Tagged: localize

After this week’s discussions, I’ve realized that my questions regarding The Wealth of Networks truly only touch the surface layers of what Benkler is discussing; however, my questions helped provide a meaningful framework which will aid me in continuing to discuss and analyze Benkler’s ideas and purpose for writing this book.

My first question addressed the idea of the third generation criqitue of the Internet. Benkler tells us the that first generation thought the Internet gave a voice to everyone and, therefore, everyone was too busy talking to actually listen (or see) the information produced. The second generation felt that the Internet is not as decentralized as the first generation assumed. They felt that only a few websites actually generate enough attention and dialogue to be considered important. Now the third generation has its chance to critique how we see the Internet and how it will impact our lives. I see the third generation of the Internet as getting more “localized.” While we’ll still retain big, global Internet outlets, I think we’ll start to see a true niche develop for websites and online communities that tie in local aspects. Many national/international outlets may try to incorporate local information as well. For example, CNN’s iReporter function, which allows users from across the US to submit news stories about their hometowns, immediately makes CNN more relatable to users and helps tie-in larger social issues to the core of communities. Additionally, I think this generation will be the most interactive and social of them all. Between commenting on blogs, real-time chats, emails and so forth, the idea of public discussion and multiple-way communication will play a big role in shaping how we use and think about the Internet. Overall, I think a lot of good will come from the third generation. While we’ll continue to struggle with narrowing down our many choices and feeding into the online-business model, we now have the freedom (more than ever before) to shape and mold the Internet into something we and others find useful. It is perhaps the most hopeful generational critique of them all.

My second question addressed the idea that if online outlets were to charge for information, such as the NYT charging an online subscription fee, how would this affect profits and use of copyrights? While I don’t think the NYT would charge a high fee (it would be more of an annoyance than an actual hinderence in obtaining information), I do think that this could start us down a slippery slope. The beauty of the Internet is this idea of free, available information at our finger tips, it would come as no surprise that I’m much more likely to seek out another free source if my initial one is charging a fee.  While copyrights only make up 6% of an outlets profit, I do think that charging for information will have users looking for it elsewhere before committing to paying. If company revenues are down because users are seeking information elsewhere, the idea of charging for copyrights would make a lot of sense. Especially when it comes to bloggers or other outlets reproducing fee-based content. While we are just starting to broach the idea of charging for information, I do think that if it happens copyright fees will start to make up a larger percentage of the profit pie.

My final question addresses the idea of community-based websites and how they shape our cultural understanding of the Internet. I have to say, user-interaction is probably one of my favorite aspects of the Internet. I think websites like Wikipedia and Second-Life further help us understand that the Internet is for sharing, learning and growing. I think while many of these websites allow us to create or enhance our online identities (Second-Life, Facebook etc), in someways they also help keep us honest. With user-created content such as Wikipedia, we have limitless freedom in what we write and share, but for the most part people want to share what’s correct and use the site to inform the greater public, rather than harm it. I think contributing to these sites makes users feel more connected, part of the virtual world and creates a feeling of social interaction that, for some, can be hard to come by in everyday life. I think these community-based websites have helped shape our cultural knowledge of the Internet to know that it really all comes down to interaction, with the website and with the people. The internet is not simply a soap box, but it’s a social mixer – everyone’s invited to participate and exchange ideas.