Responding to Web 2.0

Let me begin by telling you that the pinnacle of my technological competency was reached a week ago when I created this blog. With that in mind, you can understand how much of this video was very confusing to me. However, the basic point is powerful and impossible to miss, even for the least technically savvy among us. Our world is changing. The way we work, the way we spend our free time, the way we communicate is now dominated by computers and the Internet. Recent breakthroughs have made this powerful technology possible for average, casual computer users like me instead of being reserved for astute computer coders.

This is especially affecting the work environment. Advanced computer skills such as the ability to design a web page are a huge advantage for job-seekers. The web has also improved the job hunting process. Sites like monster.com and careerbuilders.com make it easier to post information about yourself and find potential job opportunities. That works both ways; however, as it brings more potential job candidates to the attention of employers. In this way it creates more competition for job openings. Also, employers are increasingly checking the web and sites like facebook for personal information on job candidates.

A number of current employees have adjusted to and adopted technological advances that are being called web 2.0. However, I think there is still a large number that are as confused as I am when it comes to new technology. They may also be intimidated by higher technological requirements in their work place. An employee that is able to adapt to new technologies as they are developed have a higher chance of success in their office.

The title of the video is very thought-provoking. It indicates that we are the machine, meaning that we created the Internet and it is the million of users adding to it everyday that feed it. It also writes that the machine is using us, saying that we are becoming increasingly dependent on the web for everyday functions such as communicating with friends and looking up information.

These changes are challenging the way we traditionally think of certain concepts. A couple of related concepts that I found particularly intriguing was the idea that we will need to rethink copyrights and authorship. There is such a tremendous quantity of free-flowing information on the Internet that it is harder to enforce copyrights and plagiarism laws than it is in traditional media forms. We will need to come up with world-wide methods to enforce copyright laws and insure credit is given to those who deserve it.

This video is very effective in provoking thought and asking challenging questions that we will need to answer as our world moves becomes a more advanced and globalized society.