Is democracy threatened by the unchecked nature of the Internet?

1. Based on this debate and previous readings What Definition of democracy do you feel is most fitting for us to use in-conjunction our growing reliance and integration of digital networked technologies?

One definition of democracy is “the practice and principles of social equality” (Oxford American Dictionary).  This definition ties in well with our growing reliance and integration of digital networked technologies.  Everyone from amateurs to professionals have the right and the ability to upload any sort of content to the Internet (videos, pictures, personal blogs, etc).  In addition, anyone has the ability to access this information on the Internet.  While Keen believes this is killing our society because it leads to amateurs "running the show" and to everyone simultaneously broadcasting themselves rather than listening to each other, I agree with Jimmy Wales’ opinion.  The website he created, wikipedia.com, “is a multilingual, web-based, free-content encyclopedia project based on an openly-edited model.”  This explanation of what this website is about matches perfectly with the definition of democracy and how it has influenced the uses and content of the Internet. 

2. How does your answer to #1 fit into the unchecked nature of Web 2.0 technologies, and what are some tangible examples of this? Do you feel this is an important issue that needs to be addressed further?

The fact that Web 2.0 technologies are unchecked relates to democracy in that individuals are able to post pretty much whatever they want on the Internet, which ties into freedom of speech. Websites such as facebook.com are unregulated in the sense that users do not need permission to upload pictures, or make posts; users can edit their name, hometown, interests, relationship statuses, etc to whatever they want whether it’s true or not.  I don’t believe this is an issue that needs to be addressed because as long as people are aware of the nature of the Internet, they should be able to regulate themselves and make their own decisions based on what is true or not.  People just have to know that not everything on the Internet is true.

3. Define and describe the phenomenon of the Media echo-chamber as described in the Internet Debates. What are some examples of this silo effect, and do you believe it is an issue that needs to be addressed? Why or Why not?

The media echo chamber has to do with the idea of a specific “space” in which information and ideas are being communicated.  It is a type of silo effect because often times one media chamber will report on an issue with a biased opinion but leading people to believe it is fact and causing other media outlets to copy and transmit the same (untrue) information.  This lack of communication and miscommunication is an issue that needs to be addressed because individuals will believe this false information to be true since there are multiple sources reinforcing it. 

4. What are some ways that expertise and authority could be (or is being) enforced on the internet? Who would be behind these forces? Why do you believe are they are needed or not needed?

Although websites such as Wikipedia and Facebook enforce the idea of democracy, to some extent there is authority regulating it.  On Wikipedia, even though any individual can add to or create a defintion, the admin of the website are able to remove it if it is false.  Similarly on Facebook, the authority is able to regulate activity such as removing certain content. On Facebook, individuals can report other users’ photos which will notify the authority who will then take action if needed.  The people behind these forces should be the creator of the specific website.  I think they are needed to a certain extent, as they are present now but I don’t believe greater authority needs to be enforced because then this would take away from the idea that the Internet is democratized. 

6. Give a through example of an adaptation or improvement made by a of a social, political, or cultural group, government, business or individual to keep up with changing nature of the internet.

More and more people are watching TV shows on the Internet rather than on their actual televisions.  The website hulu.com was created to enable individuals to access these shows online, legally and for free.  Television networks and creators of shows realize that in order to maintain ratings, it is necessary to adapt and keep up with the Internet.  They are still making money because Hulu incorporates short ads into the shows that viewers are forced to watch.  There are also ads on the sides of pages.

7. Is democracy threatened by the unchecked nature of the internet?

No, I don’t believe that democracy is threatened by the unchecked nature of the Internet but rather that the two concepts go hand in had.  If the Internet were checked, controlled, and restrained, it would take away from the idea that it is a democracy.  There would be no Freedom of Speech and not everyone on the Internet would be equal.  Internet users should be aware of the Internet and should be able to behave accordingly and regulate themselves.