“Virtual Revolution” Pt. 1, 2 & 3

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?

Technology costs a lot to manufacture. The countries that cannot afford to make this technology are the countries that can't use it. Also, the internet services needed to use this technology is not available to all countries.

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?

Wikipedia is used by people all around the world , allowing different ideas and knowledge to be shared. Wikipedia explains the digital convergence  because it follows many ideas of communication established in the cultural revolution of the 1960s.

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

The Web makes digital convergence possible because it allows people to interact with others all around the world and share media through different platforms with people anywhere at any  time.

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

Anything can be discussed on the Internet. In fact, everything is discussed on the Internet. These topics being discussed among parties include anti-government plots or ideas that challenge authority. In today's world, information is leaked and even confidential information is not kept private.

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?

Not all information should be freed. Some information should be withheld because there are some things that would cause controversy or panic among the public., whether or not the public has a right to know. There are some sensitive subjects that should be limited on the Internet. Although the Internet is uncensored and explicit, there are some matters that should not be taken lightly.

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?

The change happened because the Web is full of information that can be controlled through all stages by anybody around the world.  This creates possibility for digital media convergence because without it, information would be nonsensical and most of what is on the Internet would not be shared across the world.

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?

If the Web wasn't free, less people would use it, meaning less communication would take place between people and less information and knowledge would be shared. A lot of networking and business takes place through the Internet, so that would be an issue.  Copyright issues arise when information is plagiarized and manipulated into false information. If the Web wasn't free, people would not interact as frequently.