LIB100 K Spring 2009

You don’t have to respond to this blog posting, I just wanted to give you some links, info, etc about the future of information, information literacy skills, technology and the internet.

I mentioned Ted Talks in class and Kevin Kelly’s two lectures (about 20 minutes each) on the future of the internet and how technology evolves.

Here’s the link for Ted - browse around, some fascinating and cutting edge thinking here. Just type in Kelly’s name if you want to hear his talks. http://www.ted.com/talks

Some other links are -

WIRED magazine (be sure to check out the blog section) http://www.wired.com/

An interesting site about the spread of misinformation is “Regret the Error” at http://www.regrettheerror.com/
If I think of any more I will let you know.

So, take a look at this “Ted Talk” with Lawrence Lessig - guru for copyright in the digital age.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/larry_lessig_says_the_law_is_strangling_creativity.html

What do you think is the future for art and ideas in this age where almost anything can be copied, altered, remixed, downloaded, etc.?

Looking forward to your comments, as usual! (Might want to check out Lessig’s blog)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29239948/

This article talks about how Facebook recently backed down on a new, recently updated policy which users said would allow the site to have control of their information forever even after they cancel their accounts. Facebook is a free-access social networking website that is privately owned by Facebook, Inc in which users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. I agree with facebook backing down on their new policy because I feel like once someone cancels their account all of their information on that site should be erased as well. I do not feel that facebook should have the ability to keep people’s information in their database because if someone wants it erased then it should be erased forever. This policy could have caused problems as far as currency because if someone were to access information from someone’s facebook page in the future it is almost as if it would be irrelevant because it is no longer current and has no meaning. Also, because this policy was not published it could have been a surprise to those who use it as a social tool but are unaware of the consequences that it could have in the future.

http://www.realtruth.org/articles/090105-006-science.html?s_kwcid=information%20age|2994071477&gclid=CJOBicz25ZgCFQITswodPnXdcQ

This article brings up interesting questions in regard to the effects the “Internet Age” is having on the population. The article provides interesting data showing the decline of newspapers in our contemporary society, illustrating the reliance on technology and the internet this world has come to have. The easy and quick access to information makes it easier to get information and news from the internet than to read it from a book, newspaper, or journal. Is the Internet really causing the lack of desire to read? Are we as easily distracted as the article claims while using the internet? If so, does the internet make us less efficient than books and journals while looking to research? What is the overall impact of the Internet on today’s society.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10033316-76.html

This article brings up an interesting question, who will be the Google of the next decade. 10 years ago Google was an up and coming company lending out servers, and it has grown into the mammoth company that we now know today. What do you think of the ideas give in the article? Will they produce the Google of the next generation? Is it possible for a company to once again grow has Google has, becoming almost universally known? What are your thoughts on the subject?

-Matt

http://www.lib.vt.edu/help/instruct/evaluate/evaluating.html

This page discusses the skills necessary for properly evaluating internet information. As we all know, the internet contains nearly limitless content with new information being added constantly. This page discusses five different views from which to evaluate the information, authority, coverage, objectivity, accuracy, and currency. How do you feel about the evaluation techniques listed? Are there any other methods you personally use that are not discussed on the page? How do you think the skills necessary for information evaluation will develop as technology continues to develop?

Here’s a very short entry in the Britannica Blog about online sources -

http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/07/an-abundance-of-sources-breeds-consensus-and-conformitythe-state-of-online-scientific-research/

Answer the question at the end of the article - since this is a really short one, Iwould like to see you pull in some other sources on this subject (i.e. go out and look for info’ on this topic of online sourcesand bring it back to your comments in this posting)

Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwghwsgZ5AY

In today’s world, digital media and use of computers is becoming more and more important. However, illiteracy rates have been shown to have risen in this country. What sorts of problems does the growth of digital information pose for one who cannot read? Does the digital age help or hinder them in the long run, also taking into account new programs for the disabled that can read web pages aloud for instance.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122929270127905065.html

This article discusses the potential ramifications of a “fast lane” on the internet where companies would pay for preferential treatment by cable companies. This would cause their sites, the companies who pay,to operate at a much faster rate than smaller companies who may not be able to afford this luxury.

The author notes that in the worst case scenario, large companies such as Comcast could control both distribution and content of the internet potentially limiting what users can access. Would this create inherent monopolies, or would this be a creative way to further monetize the internet?

Finally, if paying for faster access on your site did become widespread, how would it affect accessing information? Would it discourage people from accessing sites that do not pay for faster access such as not-for-profits or maybe educational institutions?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLlGopyXT_g&feature=channel

This video is similar to one of the first we saw as a class. Do you think humans are more or less empowered by new technological innovations? Are computers and the Internet preventing certain research and social skills from being developed, or do they serve as a catalyst for the evolution of new skills and abilities? Do you agree/disagree with what the video seems to be getting at?

Best,

Rich