The future: from my (pesimistic) outlook

In my opinon, one of the best parts about the web is that anyone who has access to the internet can voice their opinion for the world to see. The freedom of expression and written/spoken word enables an unlimited number of people to act as “gatekeepers” of knowledge. However, just as it was discussed in the chapter, “Here comes Everybody” gatekeepers “provide a necessary or desireable social function, but also control the function.”

Because these “gatekeepers” control the function, many readers will trust anything they see that is published online. How does one know if a blog, specifically one reporting real news stories, facts or data is really trustworthy? For those that are more skeptical of blogs,  I think it is because of lack of trust in who the author is.

If anyone can write anything they want online, how do you know what to read and believe? The internet is not tangible and therefore, anyone can claim to be someone they are not and publish their work. I suppose the best way to avoid this problem is to always make sure you check up on the credentials people say they have and don’t believe them 100% unless you have proof that they are who they say they are. This issue however, is one that I think will always hold blogs back from being a more trustworthy and/or popular means of news than other outlets, like television or radio.

The article discussed the issue of scribes in the past and how their jobs were made obselete with the invention of newer technology. While I know the advancement of a “bigger, better and faster” world is uncontrollable, (mainly because people are greedy and nothing is ever good enough) I’m starting to question if making such big advancements in the digital media industry is going to bring more good than bad.

Honestly, it worries me that people have access to so much information with the click of a button. This may seem strange, but sometimes I worry if things are getting “too convenient”. What happened to the days when people had to actually work to find answers, research using books and real-life sources, or have a personal conversation IN PERSON? I mean come on, we don’t have to even leave our house anymore… we can buy groceries, shop for clothes and other necessities, have access to entertainment and stay in contact with friends and family without having to glance away from the computer.

Don’t get me wrong- I love technology and use it everyday, but I just worry sometimes that personlization, social skills and personal interaction are all being replaced by computers and before we know it, we’re going to be walking robots - incapable of doing anything without the internet.

1.) In your opinion, what is the most detrimental result of the internet?

2.) Which other outlets of news and journalism ( besides newspapers) do you forsee as becoming obselete?