Question for "Virtual Revolution"

1) The web is celebrated as the revolutionary technology that is great leveling of humanity creating equal opportunity, equal access, and equal potential. However, there are only a quarter of people on the earth who can use it. How do you explain the controversial argument here?

-A Lot of countries don’t have the opportunity to go on the web like many of us do because a lot of the the poorer countries don’t have access, availability, or the money to be on the internet. Many places like Africa are finally starting to gain access, learn and take advantage of the web.

2) How is Wikipedia the best example to implement the leveling ideas of the Web rooted in the cultural revolution of 1960s, namely the Libertarianism in the counter culture? How does it explain some of the digital convergences?

-Wikipedia is a good example of Libertarianism because anyone in the world that can access it can make any kind changes to a page that they want. Wikipedia is known not to be trusted as a reliable source because the information on it could be right or wrong. It is also an example of how all of us have free will on what we want to do on the internet, which according to the video is a reason why the internet was created, so people could freely and willingly talk about certain touchy subjects.

3) How does the Web make it possible for different kinds of digital convergence?

-The Web makes it possible for different kinds of digital convergence because people can access and do all kinds of things on the web like watch videos, read blogs, listen to music, download software, all rapidly, easily, and for free. It also lets people talk and express themselves about certain issues going on in the world. The web allows people to express themselves, learn, give and receive ideas, discuss them with others and reflect on these ideas.

4) How can the Internet become a challenge for traditional authority? Use the political landscape changes in some counties to illustrate your answer.

-The Internet can become a challenge for traditional authority when people start talking about issues that not everyone might agree on. A big issue that has always been a problem to talk about freely are issues about the government.

5) Do you believe that getting information free can set us free eventually? Why or Why not? Do you see any concerns of the complete freedom or self-expression without limit on the Internet? Why or why not?

-I think that it is a good thing for people to have free will on what they believe in. I also think that the internet is a good way for people to be able to express the way they feel with out creating to many problems in society. If this free will or self-expression that we have on the internet when beyond that, I think that it would definitely make people question authority and what is right or wrong in society.

6) In traditional media communication, it has the “vertical” authority. In the Web communication, it becomes “horizontal?” How do you explain the change? How does this create the possibility for digital media convergence?

-There is a change because on the internet everyone can freely talk about their opinions. People can find others others to connect with their same beliefs and share ideas. This makes people want to be on the web, it makes them want to share their ideas, express themselves and talk to others.

7) Why is that the Web is free critical for the success of the Web itself? How does that clash with the corporate business ideology? How does that pose challenges for copyright issues at the same time? What will happen if the Web is not free?

-The free Web is critical because if people have to pay to access it then many of those people will have problems and will not pay for it. People already pay to be able to connect to the internet in their home, they are not going to want to pay to to do other things on the web as well. This clashes with the corporate business ideology because it allows people from lower statues, to access the internet and learn things from it that to others might mean nothing. If the Web is not free it will cause a lot of problems for many people. There will be so many more people who will not be able to afford it an access it. It will take away from the idea of having “free-will” on the internet.