Today's articles were all pretty interesting (I especially liked "Streams of Content, Limited Attention: The Flow of Information through Social Media" and "Why Participatory Culture Is Not Web 2.0: Some Basic Distinctions.") and they seemed to wrap up what we've been talking about all semester into one concept (which is fitting, as the semester comes to a close.) Here are my notes I took while reading:
The way we view/receive news and information is switching from a model of attention to a model of distribution. Now, instead of being fed little bits of information that we were assumed to pay attention to, because there was no alternative, we have the ability to access virtually any information about any subject at any time, and it is up to us what we can pay attention to/what we ignore. Also, with this vast stockpile of information, the readers are invited and encouraged to add to the information/discussion, share the information and ultimately attract new viewers.
Within this "model of distribution" are four concepts that look at why certain people take in the information they do:
1. Democratization - how is content distributed among all viewers? (people are attracted to things in their language, therefor Chinese written e-documents will eventually be the most viewed - theoretically.)
2. Stimulation - attention to educational/informational info isn't always as attractive as "pointless", fun, mindless information. (Note: Can be addictive and harmful to a person's well-being if not allotted for in moderation. A balance is needed.)
3. Homophily- people naturally want to connect with people similar to them. This can be great for the furthering of knowledge on topics among people with similar interests. This can become dangerous when used in a bigoted, prejudiced way of segregation on the web. It can be easy to ignore the facts/opinions we don't want to hear and the fact that the web allows for both opinions to be voiced and yet ignored can enforce social divides and leave little room for open-minded discussion
4. Power - access alone is power. The view holds the power to command attention to himself, influence other's opinions, and to traffic information. We also give power to companies/people when we give our attention to them (marking them as worthy)
Within this Web 2.0 model of information distribution, the viewer is invited to take part in the making and sharing process of information. As quoted in Why Participatory Culture Is Not Web 2.0...,
“The latest evolution of the Internet, the so-called Web 2.0, has blurred the line between producers and consumers of content and has shifted attention from access to information toward access to other people. New kinds of online resources– such as social networking sites, blogs, wikis, and virtual communities– have allowed people with common interests to meet, share ideas, and collaborate in innovative ways. Indeed, the Web 2.0 is creating a new kind of participatory medium that is ideal for supporting multiple modes of learning.”
