Thoughts on the text...

I wanted to blog about what I had shared in class regarding the conflict that I have with the idea of 'prosumers' in chapter 5. I really believe that it is a benefit to our society that 'we the people' have more opportunity to innovate, collaborate, customize and have a hand in the media through current technology. I think that the 'i-reports' and YouTube type of citizen controlled media are great ways for people to be more involved with the world outside of their own community. I think that the use of this new technology has been able to inspire the younger generation to be more involved with things such as politics and current affairs than previous years. I am conflicted, as I said, in that I am hesitant about the wikipedia or even Blog type of collaboration where any 'joe six-pack' (lol Had to quote Palin once) can sumbit information without any type of scientific basis. I am a person who needs to know that the information I have is backed by research or correct information. I have be in academia for so long that I appreciate solid research and I am leary of information put on a global platform that could be completely outlandish and faulty. I think there is a need for people to be educated on what to believe when using tools like wikipedia online just as we had to adjust to the same for radio and television. Although I wasn't alive, I do know about the mass hysteria that began to erupt from a certain radio broadcast regarding alien invasion. I think that people now are much more aware but we should be informed about these platforms and the possible inaccuracies within. While the flexibility of this new technology is liberating, I am cautious.