Customization and The Internet

Every decision we make online is recorded and thus traceable by hackers and the websites we are spending our time on. Web browsers such as Google customize its results for its various distinct users. As seen in one of the videos online, a man discusses his use of Google with his friends. He and his friends searched the query of ‘Egypt’ and ended up with different results, indicative of the aforementioned customization feature. The same individual who discussed his use of Google with his friends goes on to discuss his Facebook newsfeed. Initially, his newsfeed consisted of posts from liberals and conservatives. However, as time went by his newsfeed was primarily dominated by liberal posts due to the fact that he consistently liked and commented on them. Facebook like Google customizes its users experience according to their preferences. For example, if I liked a Bodybuilding page on Facebook I am likely to see ads promoting products related to the sport of Bodybuilding. This customization obviously has its setbacks, as the man goes on to state that he would like to see both spectrums of politics in his newsfeed. Facebook and Google do not do justice to individuals like me who desire an objective view on things, yet are presented a customized version of what’s really out there.      

Obama Campaign and Social Networking

Barack Obama unlike other presidents before him had additional tools at his disposal to gain support for his campaigns. Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter helped Barack Obama become president in 2008. In fact, Barack Obama created a website titled www.mybarackobama.com nicknamed myBO which allowed him to collect donations and gather volunteers to aid his campaign. Social networking allowed Barack Obama to bond with people of all ages. His use of social networking in his campaign showed that he was receptive to the rapidly changing means of communication. As a result, his supporters willingly used his website to network with others, organize events, and organize rallies throughout the nation. President Obama actually dubbed over Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats, giving it a modern revival. He held chats via Google+ and YouTube chat rooms every so often with the purpose of answering the most popular questions YouTube users had sent in to him. Just like FDR, President Obama has bridged the gap between himself and his citizens by actively entering the homes of his citizens via social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Growing Up Online: A PBS Special

If I were to describe the internet in one word, I would call it limitless. The internet has limitless possibilities. However, among those limitless possibilities dwell limitless danger. People like to think of the internet as medium without consequence, a space within which they can express themselves freely. Individuals who may not have the best social lives in real life may have amazing personas on the internet that give them happiness and a sense of belonging. The aforementioned statement is exemplified very clearly by the girl who enjoyed modeling for her viewers online. You can find almost anything you can imagine on the internet. It creates fads and movements. There have been countless widespread fads birthed thanks to the internet such as, Planking, Harlem Shaking, Gangnam Styling, and the list goes on. In terms of a movement, the hacktivism of Anonymous comes to mind. Anonymous was a group of hacktivists whose origins could be traced back to 4chan. The internet is a part of our everyday life. Could you imagine a day without using internet in this day and age? The internet can be a dangerous place, especially for our inexperienced youth. Sites like craigslist are full of predators that are waiting to pounce on oblivious prey. There is simply too much to say about the internet and the topics addressed in the PBS presentation. However, before I go I would like to make one final point. I personally am among the small group of individuals that take the internet seriously. I do not misrepresent myself online, what you see online is what you get in real life and that is something I take pride in.