With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

My thoughts are scattered all over the place regarding these readings. On one end, I am a big supporter of technology and its potential. I am also a strong proponent of education and making it accessible. On the other, I think there is a threat of increasing narcissism, lack of self-control, and potential for people to just accept what they read on the Internet.

In Seth Godin’s video, he mentioned that there is a humility that comes with writing a blog. This may or may not be true, but I do believe it is circumstantial. Writing about you and what you think and feel may not necessarily be humble. One writes a blog so that others read it, and their motives for why they want others to read it can vary drastically. We live in a day and age where everybody wants everybody else to know what they think and feel, and often believe that the people they tell should feel the same. The type of social justice that exists on sites such as Tumblr, Twitter, and so forth are very hammer and nail. A dialogue is very difficult to open. In direct contrast to this, writing a blog does make someone trim the fat, and potentially explain their position from a humble perspective. Similar to other things in life, there are exceptions to everything.

In complement to this, there is the threat of someone losing self-control and potentially cutting corners. This again serves as an exception to the rule. When I think of the Internet, I see it characterized as speedy, efficient, and information-filled. I also see it as the shortcut, counteractive, and too easy. In reference to the final attribute, what I mean to say is that it is VERY easy to publish something online without any level of verification. Academicians and researchers may use this as a means to publish and survive in our “publish or perish” world. Even before the Internet existed, researchers have published unacceptable and unethical work. An example of this would be the “Great Pretender” from Japan

This leads into my largest concern regarding the Internet. My major concern is that people, particularly our students of all ages, will immediately accept what they read on the Internet because many have almost been trained to do so. Many might see an official looking headline or a post from a friend and immediately accept it as fact.

This thought leads in to the endgame Michael Wesch discusses in his Tedx Talk. He mentions converting students from knowledgeable to knowledge-able. I wholeheartedly agree with him that this is a mission teachers should embark on. I do, however, think the Internet will make this both possible and challenging. While we are trying to encourage our students to think and assess for themselves, the Internet offers them easy, accessible information and says “this is a fact” and I fear that more often than not the individual sees this and says, “okay this is a fact”.  The trick will be to teach them how to challenge these claims and be knowledge-able.

Networked learning and all of its potential are a wonderful concept. I love this idea of globalization/glocalization that is bringing our communities together to share knowledge with the masses. I believe, however, that it is up to those that elect to publish knowledge, to take on the additional responsibility of being honorable in character and publishing verifiable information. Do not seek to deceive the readers for your own gain and for an additional line on your CVs. Seek to provide knowledge. Seek to have intellectual discussions with kindred spirits. Seek to provide accessible information to those that might not have previously had such access.