Week 2

I decided that I'd like to blog and follow up to last week's discussion of the "To Read or Not To Read" document. In class, we discussed how misleading the study was and that it was not a reliable source. Towards the end of class, we started to discuss the public's reaction to the document.

In my opinion, there are two possible responses the public can have, and one response is a moral panic. A moral panic would be the negative response and that requires concern, hostility, consensus, disproportion, and volatility. Moral Panics are never solved because the problem, if there is one, is misunderstood or exaggerated.

One student in class suggested that the study may inspire a positive response from within communities. Concerned parents and teachers may form reading groups or try to promote reading as a hobby. Even if the original information is exaggerated, the effect was positive and reasonable.

This brings me to wonder why some issues become moral panics and others have reasonable and appropriate responses. I am guessing that there are many factors that tie into why people 'join' the moral panic or what caused the information to be exaggerated.

This week's reading was a very interesting topic and discusses whether or not the internet is making people 'dumb'. As it could potentially become a moral panic (if hasn't in some places), the topic was very interesting.

I believe that the internet does not make people 'dumb,' but it does affect the way we read and gather information. It appears to me that we are in the middle of a transition where our minds have not fully adapted to use internet at its full potential.

Some people oppose the internet's predominant role in education and the daily live of the younger generations. The major change may make some older generations uncomfortable since it is both new and unfamiliar. And the new form of writing on the internet will change the rules of our language and our grammar. But a spoken language is always changing, so that concern is misplaced.

The internet has become a huge source information. I do have to drive to the library to find information for a research paper or buying a book. The information on the internet also provides lower class societies and cultures access to information without purchasing expensive books.

Although you cannot control the reliability of sources on the internet, it is possible for students and children to be taught how to recognize reliable sources over non reliable sources. The internet offers another great tool and that is expression. While it has been possible to write on paper and express one's thoughts or creativity, the internet provides a space to share those thoughts and receive feedback.

While the internet may provide lots of "throwaway cultural artifacts," it is a space to present those artifacts and share ideas. It's like going to the coffee house and discussing ideas with your peers; only now, those peers may be miles away and from a whole different culture and society. And their culture and society can contribute to your idea.