When reading chapter 5 I noticed a lot of points that related to our past readings of “What is Web 2.0” and “Web Squared.” The first of which came in the first couple pages of this chapter while Weinberger talks about emptying the dishwasher which relates back to both readings. This example was not only easy to relate to, it was easy to look back and see relations between both of the past readings. Weimberger states that “...computers have become demonically good at sorting through gigantic, complex piles of information.” Not only does this help describe the first part of the reading, it relates back to “What is Web 2.0” because it basically says what web 2.0 really is. An ever growing kind of technology that can hold and sort so much information that it is scary. The rest of the passage in the reading goes over more things that relate back to the web 2.0 reading because it talks more about how we leave a lot of things up to the internet to sort and decipher leaving not much else for us to do besides use it to its potential.
After reading the first half of this chapter I realized that Weimberger really tries to focus his main points on things that us college students can really relate to. He describes his points in ways that are very basic and easy to understand which I think makes this a much more attention grabbing read.
One thing that really caught my eye in the next half of the chapter also related back to both articles. This was all about the influences that us as users have on the web and the power that we have over it. Both readings before this gave me a better understanding about the web and how it works all together. But just like the quote I used earlier the word “demonically” stands out to me. It seems that the web does continue to grow at an increasing rate because of the vast amount of users. But when does that vast amount of using backfire on us? I know this may sound confusing but I found myself unable to get that question out of my head. I just wonder if the web will ever backfire on its users all together. Any ways, the last thing that I found interesting which related back to the previous readings was all about information and how everything on the web is metadata and everything can be a label. A lot of the reading was about this and it gave me a much more in depth understanding about this topic.
I wonder the SAME thing about whether the web will eventually backfire on us! It's crazy how smart the web has gotten. This may be a little off topic, but it's like the movie Wall-E. Eventually humans become so dependent on technology and the web, that the computers eventually take over. I think it's not only important that we understand the web and how it works, but we also should respect the power it holds. Also, I too found the dishwasher metaphor to be completely relative to the previous readings. It helps when trying to understand why computers sort things the way they do - they're just as systematic as humans only they're way more efficient!
ReplyDeleteWall-E! Good connection Dani made here. I often think of the big fat humans floating around w/ their attached technology. Eeks.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, Leif, hi. Your coverage of Weinberger is really well done here. You use quotes well and do a nice job of summarizing. I do wish you had done a bit more with the articles however. I would've liked to have seen a few quotes and/or more specific references and connections made back to these pieces. Thanks.