b) Does the net provide a 'public sphere' where citizens can engage with each other? If so how, and are there limitations?
I would say yes the Internet does provide a public sphere, in that the Internet encourages us to 'take part in debate' and it allows people to interact with the media giving their own thoughts on topics. The internet enables people from different nationalities, countries, ethnicity etc to communicate with one another, this would not of been possible before. Communication on the net includes, MSN, email, bulletin boards and forums. It also allows people to interact with the media on issues such as politics, culture and religion etc. The internet has had a massive effect on the way information is distributed to the masses, and how people find out information. Many things now, are reported on the net before they even reach television. If the internet had been around when Goebbels and the Nazi Party were in power, who knows what would of happened, it would of been easier for people to rebel with the ability to make websites, blogs etc and not have it traced back to you.
c) To what extent are 'dangerous materials' prominent on the internet (or junk and jerks)? What do their existence mean in terms of the 'freedoms' the net allows? Is freedom always positive?
While freedom is usually associated with being positive, this is not the case on the net. For starters anyone has the means to post pointless, offensive material on the internet. As Lister puts it 'Nor is cyberspace necessarily a safe space for online masquerade' pg181. Masquerade is a key term in this quote. Paedophiles can use masks in order to 'groom' children, by pretending to be a 11 year old girl/boy, there are able to withold information and lie to get what they want. There is also the example of hackers, people can hack into your computers and steal valuable information and details in order to gain for themselves. The Internet if not used correctly is a very dangerous place for people.
I'm having internet trouble and this keeps crashing so will post now before it dies again.
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b - i agree that the net does provide a public sphere. it allows people to communicate and interact with one enough in may different ways. for example emails, MSN instant messaging, chatrooms etc. as well as being able to engage with people you already know the net provides access for unknown people to mix. for example MUDs, forums etc. some very good ideas here hannah.
ReplyDeletethanks =]
ReplyDeleteI agree with both answers, the internet has totally effected the way information is disrupted to the masses and with out it I think it would take forever to get up to date on everything that is happening in the world.
ReplyDeleteIn c) I like your example of hackers, people can think that they are free and safe, but even on their own computers someone will the know how can gain all their information with out them even realising.