Web 2.Ruh-Roh

Now that we are slowly getting back on track in our Capstone Seminar class, I can honestly say that I am beginning to become intrigued by the questions that have been raised because of our readings and current events. While reading Chapter 2 of Jenkins book, my interest peaked because it addressed a topic that we discussed in Media Law & Ethics last year. In this chapter he wrote, " The tenets of Web 2.0 encourage users to join in the building and customizing of services rather than companies presenting consumers with complete and fully formed sites"(Jenkins, 3). He goes on further to talk about YouTube, copyright issues, fan labor, and how spreadable media is represented or perceived as when discussing Web 2.0. although it was a lot to take in, it seemed as if the concept is fairly simple. At beginning of Web 2.0, companies and corporations recognized that the audience had the power to spread information about their products and services for free. However, companies and corporations, while they may enjoy free advertising and marketing, main goal is to make money. So the issue that has occurred is that the consumer or "fan" uses commercial content for personal purposes or to share with others. This does not benefit the company if it ends up making them lose money. I think that Jenkins worded it best when he said,

At its core, the flaws in "Web 2.0" can be reduced to a simple formulation: the concept transforms the "gifts" produced from audiences into "user-generated content" which can be monetized and commodified, while audiences have in actuality used the commodified and monetized content of commercial producers as raw material for their social interactions with each other. This misrecognition is perhaps most profoundly expressed when companies seek not simply to "capture," "capitalize on," or "harvest" the creative contributions of their audiences but also to lock down the content so it can no longer spread beyond their walled boundaries.

So, what is Web 2.0?  I read the chapter and discovered where it went wrong, but I still want to know exactly what it is. I found the answer by reading the article What is Web 2.0? by Tim O'Reilly that was written in 2005. I encourage you all to the glance over and see what you think. After that, mainly because I am a visual learner, I looked for pictures that describe Web 2.0. That led me to the picture on the right. Then I found a website, JustMeans.com, where the author had predictions as to  what direction Web 2.0 was heading in 2011 (Those articles are linked at the end of this blog post). On the same website, there is a recent article that addresses the rising in Egypt and how Web 2.0 has helped write history. The article entitled, "Egypt's Web 2.0 Uprising Today: Let's Play Our Part", was written today, and I'm fascinated with the power that Web 2.0 gives the average user. 

Therefore, Web 2.0 is You. I did not say that it is for you, but Web 2.0 is You.  You have the tools and applications at your fingertips to create, share, trade, collaborate, explore, and profit off your ideas, creativity, opinions, and talents. The issue is that corporations have the following different models for numerous years and it's time for change. What I mean is that these corporations have models for how to market to consumers, how to reach a wider audience,  how to capitalize from fan support, etc. However, it is now time for companies and corporations to realize that it's a new day with new technology that has changed the way we asked consumers view the world and communicate. So instead of sticking to these old models, filing lawsuits, and trying to retain the power that they once had over consumers, shouldn't these companies and corporations realize that things have to change and adapt? I leave you with that question to ponder over. More thoughts coming soon.

Before reading the articles below, check out this great video from 2007.

 

Web 2.0 Predictions for 2011 from JustMeans.com

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

For more interesting Web 2.0 articles on JustMeans.com, just search for Web 2.0 on their website and go to view all from News from JM Writers or click the tag and the bottom of one of the links above. The latter is easier. :-)