Virtual Revolution videos

1. The web is celebrated as the revolutionary technology that is great leveling of humanity creating equal opportunity, equal access, and equal potential. However, there are only a quarter of people on the earth who can use it. How do you explain the controversial argument here?

While the web is regarded a revolutionary, the question of how it can be if only 20-25% of the world is able to use it is brought up. In the documentary, Dr. Aleks Krotoski says it is because for the 2 billion people that do have access, they have equal access and can upload and publish text, files, audio, video — virtually anything — for free. It is a power to the people, yet allows governments to spy like never before. It’s been blamed for those addicted to it, yet has become a “super brain.”

2. How is Wikipedia the best example to implement the leveling ideas of the Web rooted in the cultural revolution of 1960s, namely the Libertarianism in the counter culture? How does it explain some of the digital convergences?

With Wikipedia, people do not just look up information, they also add and edit the articles on the site. No formal qualifications are needed to be an editor; anyone with Internet access can be a part of it. Back in the “hippies” counter culture movement of the 1960s, Libertarianism came into play. This takes ideas from both the Democratic and Republican parties, rejects state control and focuses on the free will of individuals. The movement had a role in the early Internet (as a part of “The Well”), and without that, sites for blogs and sites known for media convergence like Facebook and Twitter would not exist.

3. How does the Web make it possible for different kinds of digital convergence?

The Web makes it possible for many different kinds of digital convergence because the Web is the ultimate blend of all different forms of media. Music, television, videos, audio, news, sports and more can all be found by just looking through the Web.

4. How can the Internet become a challenge for traditional authority? Use the political landscape changes in some counties to illustrate your answer.

Under traditional forms of authority, such as monarchs or dictatorships, the Internet can be used to spread ideas that oppose what the ruler would want and spark revolutions to bring that authority down. The Internet, specifically Facebook, played a role in sparking revolutions that occurred in Egypt back in 2011 to bring down the leader there.

5. Do you believe that getting information free can set us free eventually? Why or Why not? Do you see any concerns of the complete freedom or self-expression without limit on the Internet? Why or why not?

I do not believe we can be “set free” by the Internet. It can spread ideas, share voices and spark revolutions, but without any authority, societies would be in complete anarchy. I do not see any concerns about complete freedom or self-expression on the Internet because users have more control. They can choose what content they want to view, see and participate in, rather than being force-fed a bunch of information through government-run news media.

6. In traditional media communication, it has the “vertical” authority. In the Web communication, it becomes “horizontal?” How do you explain the change? How does this create the possibility for digital media convergence?

“Vertical” authority means that someone is at the top of the chain and that chain continues with specific roles to the bottom. With the web’s “horizontal” authority, everyone is an equal. With the ideas of everyone being treated as equal on the Internet, and how anyone can upload any form of media to the Web, there is a chance for increased digital media convergence.

7. Why is that the Web is free critical for the success of the Web itself? How does that clash with the corporate business ideology? How does that pose challenges for copyright issues at the same time? What will happen if the Web is not free?

The Web being free is critical to its success since that supports the claim of how revolutionary it is. Anyone with Internet access can participate in the Web by providing their own information on certain topics or spreading their voice and opinions on certain manners. This clashes with corporate business ideology because in that everything has a price and those with more money would have more power. That poses challenges for copyright issues because the Web is so easily accessible that it can be hard to determine what is copyrighted material and what is fair usage, especially when something is done not for profit. If the Web is not free, then the Web cannot be as revolutionary as it is said to be since there would be people who would lose access to it.