Jerome's Position Paper
From Internet: Knowledge and Community
Part One: The dangers of “internet knowledge.
If it’s on the internet it must be true, right? That is one of the most popular adjectives when people think of the World Wide Web.
The internet is filled with millions of websites that contains various forms of information from various forms of websites and blogs. Many people use the internet to search for specific topics and subjects in order to obtain or gain new knowledge. While there is nothing wrong with using the internet for research, the question is, can the internet be a misleading or even dangerous source of inaccurate information? The average user of the internet has allowed “Google to determine what is important, relevant and true.” (Siva Vaidhyanathan) Anyone who believes they possess any amount of knowledge pertaining to a specific topic or subject, that has the ability to create their own website, blog, or even contribute on sites such as Wikipedia can put out what they believe to be fact, but actually is just an opinion. Students today are relying more on the internet for their research papers, but how much time do they take to actually research if the site they using is actually relevant? “In 2009 Wikipedia.org was the fifth-most-popular Web site in the world, with roughly 325 million monthly visitors”, and in 2009, “Wikipedia remains enormously popular among users, with the number of Web visitors growing 20% in the 12 months ending in September, according to comScore Media Metrix.” (Wall Street Journal) With 325 million monthly visitors, this indicates that more students see the convenience of not having to leave their home to go to a library students instead use the internet and tend to rely on the accuracy of information websites such as Wikipedia. 2008 statistics showed that “only 52 percent correctly judged the objectivity of certain website…” (Mark Bauerlein 114). The number Bauerlein indicates could be considered a disturbing number which implies that so called knowledge based, other information type sites is considered as knowledge or knowledge based material. Misleading and inaccurate knowledge can be detrimental or entice someone to believe what they are reading is true, without first have properly checking to make sure the source is credible and reliable, such as how long has the site been around and who is the author of the material, what are their credentials, and how long have they been and expert on the subject. Obtaining knowledge is important for our ongoing learning process, but if you are going to use a website or blog and your final source it would wise to use caution.
Part Two: The dangers internet knowledge and its influence on ‘Generation M(edia)’. With computers, laptops, iPods, iPads, MP3 players, Xbox, Sony PS3, SmartPhones, television, and of course the internet, kids are spending more time with their electronic devices. In 2008 statistics showed for the amount kids spent was “three hours and 18 minutes, and coupled with 49 minutes with a video game and 48 minutes online, they yield a daunting screen time of 295 minutes a day, 2065 minutes per week.” (Mark Bauerlein 77) A number of factors can contribute to these disturbing statistics, such as both parents work and kids are left to their own devices (no pun intended), and are basically being raised by the electronic and information age, which means that are next Generation is being influenced by what they hear, see and read on the internet. This form of what looks to be knowledge can be a dangerous path depending on what they comprehend or view to be knowledge from media outlets. “Faith in Google is thus dangerous the way faith in the airplane and the automobile were dangerous in 1920. Both of these technologies of mobility and discovery have proven to be dangerous because we use them recklessly, use them too much and design daily life around them.” (Siva Vaidhyanathan 13)
As kids surf the net with their smartphones and laptops, from all the various media sources ideas and influences just don’t ‘spring’ into our kids heads, some form of the media gives them those ideas and they are bombarded twenty four hours, seven days a week with messages that will shape who they think they are and what their life should be shaped around. "Studies have tied high media exposure to things like 'starting smoking and engaging in sexual behavior at a younger age…It influences the food that you eat, the clothes that you wear, the way you spend your money." (New York Daily News) Generation M doesn’t have to be what Mark Bauerlin refers to as “The Dumbest Generation.” Parents need to use better discretion in an ever changing information age, and pay better or closer attention to what their kids are reading, watching and downloading from the internet. Knowledge is a valuable tool in order to teach, learn, influence and shape us. The internet can be a valuable tool of knowledge if we use it correctly. The internet is filled with a vast amount of relevant knowledge that is historical, informational and helpful, but we should not allow them to become so tech savvy or techno smart, that they end up becoming book stupid and lack the common sense they need in order to make it in the real world.
Works Cited Section Vaidhyanathan, Siva. “The Googlization of Everything.”
Angwin, Julia & Fowler, Geoffrey. “Volunteers Log Off as Wikipedia Ages.” The Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal, November 2009. Web. November 2010.
Beuerlein, Mark. The Dumbest Generation. London, England: Penguin Books, LTD, 2008. Print.
Richardson, Clem. “Kids are 'raised by media' - The Lamp examines messages beamed into our homes.” The New York Daily News, July 2010. Web. November 2010.
