Time For A Pros And Cons List?

Web 2.0


This is where the ideas for my blog posts have sprouted from. I figured it was about time I dive into the complexities the topic of Web 2.0 brings.


First of all what is Web 2.0? In all honestly for the longest time I never realized there was a Web 1.0, let alone a Web 2.0. From what I now understand it is a newer version or a remix of the Internet. Newer, more user-friendly features were added allowing it to become more easily used world wide. 


Now like everything else in this world you cannot have your cake and eat it too. In my experience with every piece of good news there is usually some bad news not to far behind. So what is wrong with Web 2.0?


Lets start with whats right about it. This new Internet is so much more than it was before. It has expanded itself into this new world which allows people to be whoever they want to be, do whatever they want to do, and say whatever they want to say. The possibilities are endless. With this new web, the only word I can think of to describe it is OPEN. It is free. No restrictions. A place for freedom of expression. It is a world in which you can easily work with people who are on the other side of the world. Language barriers no longer exists because on the web, everyone speaks the same language. There are places for people to collaborate on ideas, to work together on projects. Developing ideas has become second nature as opposed to a chore. We have created a new world for ourselves and now we get to enjoy it.


With all of the things that is amazing about Web 2.0 there has got to be something seriously wrong with it. So what is the issue. Probably one of the biggest issues that completely went over my head for the longest time was the issue of who is running it. Why is it so successful? Is there some higher power working 24/7 to keep the Internet the self-sustaining force that it is? No there isn't. For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, the person running the web is YOU! By us using blogs and social networking sites and creating new web pages, we are the ones running the web. So what? Who cares? If it is something we enjoy doing whats the big issue? The problem with this is that even though we are the ones doing all of the work, we are not receiving any of the profits. We are offering free labour without even knowing it. We are the ones keeping the Internet popular. So are we being used? Or, better question, are we okay with it? Based on the fact that the Internet has lasted this long, I do not see it going anywhere anytime soon, so my answer to that would be yes. As long as were are okay with it, the Internet is always going to be the control centre for free labour.


Without popularity the Internet would be nothing. Just like how a Hollywood actress is nothing but a drama queen with a big house. Without popularity there is no power that the Internet can hold over us. So does that mean once we get tired of the Internet it will just go away? Theres only one way to find out. Looks like we have got some waiting to do.