Web 2.0

This video captured my attention with the use of movement through the text and displayed various points concerning how "the machine is using us" and how the machine is "us". "The Machine is Us/ing Us" can be broken down into a number of different ideas. I think that the machine as a computer/internet source has become the sole form of communication for people across the world. People have the opportunity to communicate through email, IMing and etc. through an extensive number of different website options. I think it is referring to the fact that we are the machine in that we are the reason that computers act and perform the way they do. We provide the machine with information concerning our personal lives, thoughts, ideas, and information regarding a variety of issues. We have taught the machine to act for us, to provide us with information in a quick and accurate way. People are the reason computers maintain and hold the information that it can. However, the machine is "using us". It uses us to provide the information that it can. Without us, it would not exist. The machine uses the ideas, thoughts, and knowledge of millions of people to provide multiple sites with information. Therefore, the machine “uses us” to provide knowledge of one or more people to those all across the world. Through the video, I was able to gain an understanding on how so many different words and ideas across the internet are all related. Without one, the other doesn’t exist.

Web 2.0 could be both a positive and negative form of publicity for someone trying to enter the workforce. It could help advertise the person in a positive form by providing employers with information regarding the individual on their background, education, and skills related to the job. However, it could also be a bad thing. This is simplybecause all information posted on web 2.0 is accessible for anyone to see. Even if people don't think anyone can view personal information like on facebook, myspace, etc. doesn't mean that people can't really see it. You post it up, it's pretty much there for anyone, anywhere. Employers looking for future employees can get online and search an individual and if they have any negative information regarding them or inappropriate pictures posted, the employer may change their mind on hiring them. People already in the workforce are also affected as well. Web 2.0 provides those in the workforce a means of communication. People can email about business information, meetings, etc. and the information can reach who they are trying to contact within only a few seconds. Web 2.0 also allows companies to advertise on their business, post pictures and information concerning their company or job.

I think when it says that we will have to rethink everything, I think that it is referring to the fact that when you say one thing, it means multiple things. "Privacy" is not necessarily privacy. Though you think your personal information may be private on a website, millions of people can find access to view your information. Therefore, the idea of privacy doesn't necessarily mean that it is private. Also, we must rethink the idea that everything is changing. Millions of new information are being posted daily concerning a number of topics and issues. Therefore, one must rethink the information being posted... when it was updated and how reliable the information truely is.