Week 3 - Web 2.0 and Podcasting where is this heading?

The advancement with Web 2.0 has lead to easier podcasting. User interfaces such as My Space, Facebook and flickr allow for easier communication for the users. For My Space I can add music, photos and videos that I like. These days Facebook has become the new My Space because people are constantly either adding new plug-ins or creating new plug-ins for users to download. With the advancement of web 2.0, open interfaces such as Wikipedia has made the Internet used for more educational means. Having an online information database such as Wikipedia allows users to upload information and link to relevant resources. However, because it is opened to everyone’s contribution, the information on it should be taken lightly.

Online file sharing and conversing has been very helpful to educational establishment. Websites such as WebCT and Blackboard allow the instructors to post readings, handouts and allow for discussion posting with each classmate. You can also post videos or comments on ongoing discussion. Therefore, advancements made with web 2.0 and podcasting have lead to saving trees, faster response from instructors or friends, and more shared information.

Advancements such as these are good for means of entertainment and education. Individuals can download, watch live streaming and upload media. However, the idea of doing everything online is replacing face-to-face conversing. Don’t get me wrong. Video streaming and programs such as Skype have made it much easier to communicate with those who are far away but I fear that society is relying too much on online communication and digital media. The future in communication involves less movement and is taking away physical face-to-face communication with virtual programs such as webcams and video postings.

I think web 2.0 and podcasting are leading towards ‘binary society’, where people just have to turn on the computer and easily access anything in the world. For example online shopping could lead to having online sales person speaking to you so basically it is taking away having to go outside to talk to someone about putting on outfit together. Therefore online shopping could go as far as to having communication through voice interaction.

Web 2.0 and all its gadgets has broadened the Internet date base in a positive way but also made it less trustworthy. Hopefully the future won’t take us completely away from analog communication.