I was asked to further write about why I thought the use of Web 2.0 in the media is the most important thing we’ve gone over this semester. Here goes.
People today are using blogs and social networks. They’re using them a lot. Words like “MySpace” and “Facebook” have crept into this generation’s vernacular, and people are noticing it; especially the media. In fact, just take a look at CNN’s website where you’ll find links to widgets and blogs. What’s fascinating about this is that people are able to respond to the news in a way that wasn’t possible before. With the ability to comment on news blogs or create one’s own blog in response, there is a new dialogue that enables the rest of the world to interact with the news.
Comedians and music artists are creating pages on social networks such as MySpace to generate new listeners. There’s also Last.fm, which offers a way for underground artists and their fans to get together and create concert events.
Politicians are picking up on the Web 2.0 trend as well. With Barack Obama and John McCain having pages on Facebook where supporters can group together and comment, share information, post news and create volunteer-run events. There are blogs dedicated solely to the upcoming presidential election and people are finally getting the chance to let their voices be heard.
The blooming grassroots movement on the Internet is what appeals to me the most, and I think that’s really the most important “big idea” we’ve discussed.
