1. Based on this debate and previous readings What Definition of democracy do you feel is most fitting for us to use in-conjunction our growing reliance and integration of digital networked technologies?
I think the best definition of "democracy" is people being informed about issues and making up their own minds on which are most important, and what should be done about the issues that need to be addressed. Through the internet, people are able to discuss these issues with people who agree or disagree with us, or may show us something in a different light or make us want to think more about an issue from more than one perspective. In this case, the anonymity may work to people's benefit, because people are able to say what they really feel to people who they have no personal connection with, without worrying about how they may think about them in the future.
2. How does your answer to #1 fit into the unchecked nature of Web 2.0 technologies, and what are some tangible examples of this? Do you feel this is an important issue that needs to be addressed further?
This fits into the unchecked nature of the Web 2.0 technoligy because although people can discuss these issues with people with different opinions, people tend to gravitate toward media and opinions that they can relate or identify with, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, when all this information is unchecked, it is important for people to realize that nothing should be considered 100% believable. For example, people choose who they want to follow on Twitter. If something said is inaccurate or taken out of context, then more people are exposed to misinformation.
3. Define and describe the phenomenon of the Media echo-chamber as described in the Internet Debates. What are some examples of this silo effect, and do you believe it is an issue that need to be addressed? Why or Why not?
The echo-chamber on the internet debates refers to people finding misinformation that they deem credible, even when it may not be, and spreading this information only because it supports their personal beliefs rather than the truth. An example of this would be someone twisting what another person says, or omitting or adding to their statement to give it a different context. This is broadcasted on the internet to a range of people who may not question the accuracy, and it is spread even further. It is an issue that needs to be addressed, because it causes misinformation to be spread exponentially.
4. What are some ways that expertise and authority could be (or is being) enforced on the internet? Who would be behind these forces? Why do you believe are they needed or not needed?
Authority could, and sometimes is, enforced on the internet on official websites, rather than blogs or sites where anything can be said by anyone, where the authority is the people who created the site and are closest to the subject of the site. This could also include more mainstream political sites that have more credible or reputable sources. The problem with this is that the authority of these sites, especially news or political sites, also have opinions, sometimes very strong ones. The authority can decide what they want people to hear or read or believe, and have the power to twist anything into anything they want. I don't think any news site broadcasts a single subject in the same light as another site that generally has opposing political beliefs because their views influence the way they write or what they say about a subject. Even with sites that have an "authority", I personally find it difficult to fully believe everything that is said or written.
6. Give a thorough example of an adaptation or improvement made by a social, political, or cultural group, government, business or individual to keep up with changing nature of the internet.
Many music artists have realized that the illegal downloading of music has become so widespread that it seems impossible to stop. Some bands, like Escape the Fate, have posted their entire album online so people could listen for free, even before the album is released. They are also having an exclusive show only for people who buy the album at a specific Best Buy in the City on the day of its release. This shows how the internet has changed society and business in a way that forces groups or organizations to come up with creative ways to work with the system and still benefit from it.
7. Is democracy threatened by the unchecked nature of the internet?
I do not think democracy is threatened by the internet. The internet was not created to overtake the world, even as much as it has now. It allows people to get discuss with other people on issues rather than being limited to what the authority tells us, which also may or may not be accurate.
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