One of the first things we’ll be doing in our first-year writing class at the George Washington University in the Fall of 2008 – a writing class around the theme of how the terms of research and writing are shifting in response to the rise of social networking and user-produced culture and knowledge – is to look at some concrete examples of creative online projects in which the content is largely user-generated. These include:
In class we’ll be talking about how the idea of “authorship” works itself out in various ways in these projects. But in browsing these sites this week, I noticed something interesting about the pattern of the content. While the national news has been focused on the Democratic and Republican national conventions and Hurricane Gustav, these projects have been quietly registering the kind of things that may fly under the media radar but are definitely on (some) people’s minds.
Specifically, I noticed how many of them had entries that dealt with students going or going back to college. A couple were explicit: Jesse Reklaw’s Slow Wave for August 23rd illustrated reader Carrie Staab’s dream about deciding on Fall courses, including one on the “The Ecology of Pancakes.” Though less explicit, a shopping list on Found was clearly for someone headed back to campus — who else needs “crappy flip-flops for shower”? — and one Overheard in New York entry registered an art student’s frustration with the progress (or end?) of their education. Even Tiny Mix Tapes featured a request for appropriate songs on the theme of “Second Semester Sophomore Year We All Turned Gay.” The most heartbreaking was this PostSecret postcard in which an anonymous reader revealed:
I knew the names of all 450 people in my graduating class. I’ve moved to college a few days ago, and today at orientation no introduced themself to me and I ate lunch alone for the 1st time.
And it struck that these kind of user-contribution projects might be playing an important role in creating an archive of everyday life that, years from now, could provide a perspective on our time that no one’s going to get from reading or watching today’s news.
26 Comments
September 4, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I definitely agree that all of the posts that people are making on websites (anything from blogspot to even youtube) will be a vital tool in the future to reflect on today’s times. I also think that many people don’t realize the importance of this shift to utilizing even more technology on a daily basis. The websites that focus on incorporating user-based discussion/commentary have allowed people to connect on a very basic level (all over the world) for positive relationships online, which might be more of a challenge for them offline due to almost anything: their appearance, where they live, what they wear (compared to what others around them wear), etc. I think that it all boils down to people’s acceptance of each other and themselves, especially. Furthermore, this dependence on technology, what we termed as “2.0″ in class, will be a new definition to our culture in the coming years, analogous to how fashion and class shaped society in the previous centuries (specifically, the 1800s and 1900s).
September 4, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I agree that everyone’s dependency on technology today has propelled us into a future that will be somewhat hard to avoid. It seems like the internet is today’s sense of conforming to the normal. Everyone nowadays has a facebook, if not a YouTube login name or a MySpace profile. These websites shown above have been created out of the purpose for normal people to contribute to; which, in a way, is a different when compared to the typical websites (advertising pages, research web pages, information pages, search engines, store web pages). These websites offer a change in atmosphere which gives people the opportunity to escape the “typical” web page; these web pages even give people the ability to escape the real world atmosphere. They give people a sense of security to confess secrets, the ability to look at everyday humor that isn’t scripted, and discover people’s thoughts of the “wacky foreseen future.”
September 4, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I agree that technology is becoming the weapon of choice in today’s society. Obviously it’s not always a weapon though. But what I’m worried about is that people might forget how to communicate with eachother face to face. Why do we hind behind computer screens? Is it because insecurity is growing like a virus among our generation? Isn’t it upsetting to think that some people have to lead secret lives and they have no one to talk to? The net gives us a chance to recreate ourselves and wipe our slates clean; to enter another world and to be safe from the real one. In regards to facebook, how is it that nowadays people prefer to leave wall posts as opposed to voicemails? In any case, as was mentioned before, years from now we will be able to look back and see how far the human race has come along through observing these electronic archives.
September 4, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I strongly believe that the archives being made today will reflect our time throughout history. It offers a different and more personal perspective that most likely would not be found in the history books on the shelves. Remember Anne Frank’s Diary? And how much was learned from that one diary. Well now imagine millions more all at the touch of your fingertips. It’s here. Online blogging, facebook, youtube, postsecret, etc.. It allows easy access to the personal lives of people. We are creating our own time capsule and we are writing our own history pages.
September 5, 2008 at 12:13 am
Online forums will undoubtedly be a way for future generations to get a glimpse into the past. User-generated websites such as postsecret reflect the lives and deep feelings of people today, more than any news report or photograph could ever say. Online blogging allows for more, quicker relationships to be formed so discussion on topics that effect our daily lives can take place almost instantly.
September 5, 2008 at 12:29 am
I think there are both pros and cons to online blogging with such websites as facebook and myspace. Some may think that it is considered an invasion of privacy while others may see it as a door to the social scene and a way to find many new friends. Although it may seem that they are only friends through the internet, it is still a database that allows you to connect with your peers and gives you a push in the right direction as far as making friends, or keeping friends. With sights like postsecrets, it allows people to realize they aren’t alone if they are too shy to post their own story, and those who in fact do post feel relieved of their dark secrets, and quite liberated. Sure, some people may be able to figure out who has those secrets, and sure things like facebook may be too inclusive, but that’s not what we should focus on. It is a way to move into the future to allow people to relate to one another and broaden their horizons.
September 5, 2008 at 12:32 am
I completely agree that this technology is drastically changing and allowing us to easily archive the culture of our society. During the course of human history people have developed different and improved ways to communicate with one another. At one time people used oral tradition to pass down their stories from generation to generation and now we are able to share a statement that we overheard in New York with numerous people all around the world. In addition, the archives that we create through these websites provide a more thorough insight into everyday life. Before written records were from the perspective of one person or a small group of people and now the user produced social networking captures the thoughts, artwork and matters of importance of many more people. The various websites provide incredible detail and a better perspective of our society than any type of historical record that has come before us.
September 5, 2008 at 2:40 am
In todays world, internet bombards everyday life. Whether you’re checking facebook, for group updates, an email about a cancelled class, or just listening to Jessica Simpsons new single, the day it comes out. So many websites exist, reason being to accommodate as many people as possible. If you enjoy playing an instrument and you love performing on the streets of New York, the internet is probably the only place you’ll find people who share the same interest. The internet creates new relationships. Centuries ago, philosophers explained their own cultures in writing, and literally hand wrote copies so people could learn about their ideas. Today one will not be able to study how our culture works without going online and browsing on websites. Why handwrite a book, when you could type it, post it, and receive reactions to it in minutes. People want convenience. The people of todays world, when it comes down to it will do anything to make their lives easier. Whether it be for entertainment purposes or work, the internet makes everything simple. When CNN, Fox News, and NBC, write their script, do they want what’s best for their show, or what’s best for their viewers? Who decides what is broadcasted on national television? The guy in the Armani suit, with the big office on the 8th floor? or the people? Internet allows people like you and me to have a say. So years from now when people study the 21st century, will they go to news archives or the internet. It depends on what they want to hear. Their is only so much one can learn from the news, the internet on the other hand is interactive while television isn’t.
September 5, 2008 at 3:11 am
The spread of user-contributed web-sites is going to have a profound impact on America’s social system, education, and even personal lives. Giving everyday citizens so much power that they can have their voice and opinions heard by anyone who has access to a computer will change today’s values and our idea of truth. Our social system is still basically based on believing what the teachers, white middle-aged male employers, and government says to be dogma. With user-contributed web-sites, the line between truth and fiction will be blurred and maybe even erased. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, because what is a democracy for if the people don’t have an equal opportunity to state their ideas? However, we are going to have to put a lot of trust in human nature so our future doesn’t turn to anarchy with radical ideas that the policy makers try to smother being circulated. As for providing an accurate record of our times, there could not be a better way. What is important when looking at the past is examining the human condition? This cannot be seen first-hand in old newspapers or TV shows which are based on content only. The most important thing when examining archives is looking at the state of the people and even if the user-contributed sites are exaggerated they definitely say a lot about the contributer.
September 5, 2008 at 3:43 am
The internet is very useful for any thing you want. You can print out recipes from the food network show you just watched or you can watch the VH1 Flavor of love shows that you missed. The internet is a world within itself.
Those feelings aside, the internet has made everything we need at our fingers tips but could that be a bad thing?
People can become so addicted to blogging, going on myspace or facebook, and shopping online. Now we have online dating. Does the future hold a world with people who never leave their homes? I hope not. People say we can benefit from the internet and that we have it so easy. I sometimes feel that the internet has made some realize they don’t have to go out and meet people to date, they can make friends through blogging and facebooking, and they only have to go to the grocery store for the recipe ingredients.
I agree in the academic and research aspect of the internet, it is a great tool, but with that I wonder what will happen to all of our libraries that our hirstoric or the data and books when the internet crashes?
The internet should be use resourcefully for research and writing our lovely UW20 papers and other school related assignments, but also used cautiously because people have had their identities stolen from shopping online.
Personally, I enjoy the trip to the library or the bookstore, you can’t replace the feeling of reading a great book that you can just pick up and carry around anytime you want without waiting for it to get to your house or having to signing online all the time staring a a screen that ruins your vision.
September 5, 2008 at 3:59 am
User-contributed websites are not archives of how life is today, they are life today. Whether the motivation to contribute to blogs or publish aspects of one life for the public arises from boredom with the world or the idea that we live in a global community, the basic fact is that life is defined by our ability to connect with anyone. Blatantly these websites give the individual power and mistakenly give the impression that we each have a voice that deserves to be heard. This generation is defined by this new mindset and these sites are the lifeline that feed the addiction.
September 5, 2008 at 4:22 am
It seems as though the internet is slowly taking over today’s society. As more and more of the world as we know it conforms to the newer, technological era blogs are undoubtedly becoming the norm. It is apparent with the never ending list of people with Myspaces, Facebooks, etc. that the internet is an essential part of our lives, not just a tiny little part, but a vast majority of our every day activities. This is not directed specifically towards the younger adults at all… my mom has a Facebook!!! Although blogging and other blog-type websites are dramatically changing our lives, mostly for the better I personally believe, there are certainly some disadvantages that have and will arise. Personally, I would like some privacy from my parents as far as my social life goes and that is why I will not accept her friend request, but that is part of the catch with these blogs. Blogs like I said are definitely helpful in many ways, but at the same time people who want some privacy are certainly not guaranteed any at all, because once your information is on the web there are no boundaries to what can be accessed and revealed.
September 5, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Blogging websites are already a big part of the social realm of today’s society and should continue to expand in the future. By using slow wave, postsecret, found magazine, and other related websites, users find others with similar interests and in that way are connected through the internet. With that said, the internet and these websites are creating relationships and helping to enhance communication with people around the world that would not have been possible ten years ago. Blogs allow people to be part of something big and in a way could be considered a club. To have an effective blog, it takes teamwork and didication from many users. Through this, people are entertained, educated about certain issues, and they get to hear and present arguments they have a strong opinion towards. The internet is helping the world expand, become more knowledgeable and interconnected, and it makes it seem as though the world continues to get smaller.
September 5, 2008 at 2:48 pm
These types of sites are a great tool that can be utilized to understand the true nature of the human spirit. Having viewed some quotes found in Overheard in New York, I found that people are more candid when talking with someone that they personally know. This makes the information relayed more reliable than say a book where the author posts an opinion towards the general public. Without a doubt, the author chooses to use certain words or styles of writing that will make them look like the better person. Sites like Overheard in New York and post-secret allow viewers to get the information without the censorship. In the future, people will look back at these types of sites and see the true nature of people, not the fake, or slightly altered nature as seen in certain types of books, newspapers, magazines, etc. Those types of literature must follow certain guidelines, while these online sites are boundless.
September 5, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Although in a way blogging and social network sites have made socializing less social in a way, the sites also allow people from all over the country and even the world connect like they would never be able to without the internet. Newspapers and journals often focus on a specific subject, daily newspapers on politics and current events, and specialized magazines on various subjects. Now, with the internet, people with other more eccentric interests can find a daily blog or website online that interests them. The internet and networking sites have provided more forms of literary entertainment to engage every user, and in a way, unite people together. Non-traditional sites like Tiny Mix Tapes and Slow Wave have become widely popular and bring average people together from across the country to relate on a common subject, or share their “expertise.”
September 5, 2008 at 7:39 pm
It is incredible in this modern age with all the technology aimed at making information more public. In this respect is the archiving of the present an actual threat to society. First and foremost is the idea of knowledge. In order to create such a massive port for all information, one would have to vet through the massive quantity of information to make sure its accurate. Although places such as Wikipedia “scan” for accuracy, the fact of the matter is that it is all but impossible to ensure academic integrity with such a mass of information. Websites such as Post Secret do not and will not double check sources because that in and of itself is against the very creed of Post Secret. All in all the massive index of information may be a potentially positive idea, but it is realistically just another giant half monitored semi-respectable source that academics will most likely still be suspicious against.
September 7, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Internet blogging has definitely redefined how information are communicated, interpreted and originated. The internet allows for a medium where the “little guys” can post their opinions and insights. Internet blogging allow people of diverse backgrounds to coalesce under a common topic of interest, thus providing (quoting David) “A media that is by the people and for the people.” The only down side to this sort of collaboration resides in accuracy of its content. Because virtually anyone can gain access to the internet, vandalism and false information can proliferate easily. While the internet has provided shortcuts to the academic world, we must display constant vigilance, toward the creditability of our internet sources.
September 7, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I know one of the problems multiple people have brought up is the idea of weeding through mass amounts of information to find a credible source. I think that although it is a good point, we forget how that is still true in libraries. Just because a book is in the library doesn’t make it any more credible then any other book in the library. The book “a million little pieces” was proved to be false by the public and those that had the knowledge to prove that it was false. I think the same theory can be seen on the internet that those who know something is false will step forward and say so, as well as the websites themselves will hold some standard like checking the website to keep their website credible so they will keep getting hits.
September 8, 2008 at 6:47 am
Wikipedia has a page for Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia), which actually has its own, “reliability and bias” section that’s particularly non-biased.
With regards to the idea of using blog posts, YouTube comments, Facebook posts, etc. . ., as a means of reflecting on our own time period, it is already being done on a somewhat small scale —vulgar language warning— (http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pHzFmNXZwaiUEPVeYlRYbcg&hl=en). This is a google spreadsheet with data collected from Craig’s list pertaining to various sexual advertisements (from individuals) by location. YouTube comments also allow for speculation towards very specific and unique demographics that are determined by the content being commented on. The American Nazi Party, KKK, and Black Panthers all have websites. 20-30 year old women that work in factories in Thailand are looking to Craig’s to find a 40+ American man for marriage. In addition to archiving everyday life, the internet can give us an “inside look” at the world we can’t (or are afraid to) reach directly.
September 8, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I strongly agree that many user-contribution projects online are playing an important role in creating an archive of everyday life, especially in this technology driven society. Even though the controversial issues of identifying credible sources on the internet, vandelism and false identity still exist, the internet can also be used as a “medium” where people can express and interact with each other freely without government intervention. Even though there are other forms of media and communication, such as the newspaper and tv, there are limited ways in which the audience can interact and express themselves. The internet allows any person to express themselves, whether or not their comment or blog is important. The reason why creative online projects or blogs such as Slow Wave and Post Secret exist is because a community of people who share the same interests gather to express their own opinions and to build on each others works. We can find the true meaning and beauty behind all the flaws of the work, which in this case would be the internet blogs.
And it struck that these kind of user-contribution projects might be playing an important role in creating an archive of everyday life that, years from now, could provide a perspective on our time that no one’s going to get from reading or watching today’s news.
September 8, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Although online blogs may be a vital source of archiving our times, I am hesitant to say whether I agree or disagree that they should be. I do disagree, however with the fact that we currently have the technology to not only ensure private ownership via copy rights etc., but also personal freedom. For instance, when an unregistered blogger leaves a comment on wiki his computer leaves a digital trace therefore making his IP address open to the public. In an increasingly technological world where people can not only shop online, but also balance their bank accounts information such as IP addresses should remain private. Although all blogs and user websites require their users to sign a term of agreements they are so long and tedious no one actually reads them. Facebook, for example owns all the information you have on your homepage. Every person who ever registered for facebook has a file in a warehouse with their current page. Giving people consent to sell this information is just one step in an increasingly scary technological world. At the very least we should be cautiously optimistic about what 2.0 has to offer.
September 9, 2008 at 3:55 pm
The internet is a huge source of freedom for those who would like to express ideas, experiences and advice, however it is not as freeing as it is lead on to be. With every blog, every fact about yourself, and every picture that is posted on websites such as facebook and myspace and even emails sent out through engines like aol and gmail, your information, whether personal or not, is being saved and potentially used by millions of people who are accessible to the site; not to mention by those coorparations as well. Although one may attempt to protect their information through privacy settings and limitations to their shared information, the truth is that every piece of information, once added, no matter how private they are set to be, is automatically in stored. “So whats the issue?” one may ask, or rather, “Its only used for security reasons”. Well, ask yourself this, would you tell a stranger your birthdate? Or hand them a picture of you partying with a couple of friends? Or rather, would you let the person know your city and state? Who you’re dating? What you’re doing? You most likely wouldn’t. Although that stranger may have no intention of using that information in any way, the fact that he/she possesses it is still very frightening. I respect sites such as post secret in which users do not have to be identified yet can still post experiences and personal traumas. I believe this is a positive way in which the internet is progressing to show peoples like experiences without the danger or fear of identified to the public. Through this style of blog and expression users may truly feel free and readers may benefit from the information or advice given without the ability to personally judge the writer.
September 10, 2008 at 4:08 am
Technology has certainly established our road to future development. The constant growth of the internet and its omnipresent use is surely remarkable. We all truly can say that we rely on the internet daily–without it, our worlds would be somewhat lost; no e-mail, no academic research, no facebook, etc. Another evident growth of the internet is the constant new blogs created everyday, with consumers flocking to display their knowledge and opinions publicly, but anonymously. Sure, we can retain some of the most ridiculous information, as well as some truly horrific, but the internet is now used by consumers as a mean of refreshing their minds. The internet is a place they can stay away from who they appear as in societal perspectives, and they can become that individual they always wanted to be.
People also display their opinions–as discussed in the question we are answering, individuals wrote blogs and articles about “crappy flip-flops for showers”, and other seemingly ridiculous things. However, these things can be seen as daily life, and don’t we live our lives by telling stories or experiences to others? This is simply another way of communication, and this time, it’s on a global perspective rather than a one-on-one conversation.
September 10, 2008 at 5:42 pm
The internet has become such a necessity for our daily that it can indeed tell us and future generations many things about ourselves and our culture. Although blogs and wikis, and even user-generated websites such as facebook, youtube, wikipedia etc., are a big insight into 21st century culture, it goes even beyond that. The internet has become a place for business, education, reference, and indeed every other aspect of our lives. We buy stuff on ebay and craigslist, we read the news, order food, reserve movie tickets, check the weather etc. etc. etc. Everything action we do on the internet, as in in real life, reflects something about us: who we are, how we live, what our interests are etc. Indeed future anthropologists will be able to study a lot about us simply from the sites we frequent. This is not a very surprising thought. After all, archaeologists study ancient civilizations’ trash heaps to learn about their lives. Instead of trash heaps, anthropologists of the future will be looking at blogs and facebook profiles. Who knows, maybe this blog will one day be part of a huge anthropological study.
September 10, 2008 at 6:41 pm
While I worry that the internet is dangerous and may lead to people socializing solely through their computers, we must come to admit that it has created a world that is growing quickly of brighter, more informed young individuals. While we may spend hours on end on our computers each week, I personally find myself reading more articles on newspaper websites, and researching various people/politicians/etc than I would without my computer. The internet has made things easier for us. With the click of a button I am able to access The New York Times website and read what is going on in the world today. I can also educate myself on the ideals and values that each presidential candidate holds by looking on the internet. I do still worry that the internet may lead to a world of cyberspace instead of the real world, but for now, in the moment, I can’t help but be in awe of all that the internet, blogs, etc offer me.
September 15, 2008 at 8:53 pm
What we are seeing in today’s society is an increase in the power for the regular average “Joe”. With technology where it is today, anyone from around the world can contribute their thoughts and feelings on an issue, which in turn may be viewed by thousands of others. While traditional media still has the ability to mold the way we think, these small under-funded websites produce articles that spark interest and thought of their readers. We are truly seeing a revolution happen right in front of us. An age when anyone, from anywhere, can produce pieces of writing that can be seen, and even acted upon, throughout the world. In addition, these websites include such social networking as Facebook and Myspace. On these sites, its members post on political and social issues. Members can also send out invitations to events ranging from parties to political rallies. Cyberspace has opened up a whole new world to the small and seemingly powerless.