Us & the Machine
A very refreshing look at Web 2.0 by Michael Wesch.
This video is a much watch; it highlights the changes that have occurred in the way that we interact over the web, raises some very interesting questions and reminds us that we are writing the web – we are teaching the machine.
I have watched this video a dozen times already and continue to press replay because it encourages me to rethink the way that I interact, the way that I create and the way that I consume information.
When did you realise that we are writing the web?
Wesch’s approach to cultural anthropology is refreshing. Awe inspiring in fact. He opened up a new way of thinking for me (especially “A Vision of Students Today”). For years I was using the computer as a tool for communicating, but communicating my needs onto paper. It’s only been the past few years that I’m seeing how much we create our identity within the net and how much it has grown up around us.
Have you read “Born Digital” yet? It’s a great explanation of how those born 1980 and after don’t know life without using technology, in multiple ways. And it’s not a matter of being able to use the equipment effectively, but rather it using the user.
Today I see our digital world as a co-created space where communication takes place on multiple, hyperreal levels. It is linear and yet it is transactional at the same time. Freaky to say the least.
Alec
wow. WOW! i remember when. and to think 5 years? 10 years? how would you and i ever interacted? Never would have imagined it either.
We feed the web, but the web feeds me more.
This video is extremely well done. Really inspiring to watch. I see how you like to revisit it.
Very cool vid! I only just very recently really discovered the web, and even more recently discovered blogs. By ‘discovered’ I mean really begun to understand the possibilities and usefulness and value of various web tools. I have added you to my collection of blogs I read because I have a feeling I will be able to relate to many of your discoveries as I discover my own e-revelations.
Best of luck!
Alec, thanks for your comments. I agree that “A Vision of Students Today” is an excellent video, it was actually my first introduction to Wesch’s work. I haven’t read “Born Digital” as yet but will certainly look it up!
Jojo, the way we communicate certainly has changed and with this many other changes have also happened including the way we collaborate and the way we conduct business.
Panchitah, thank for adding me to your collection of blogs.
They have a very interesting website that highlights aspects from the book and goes into further depth: http://www.borndigitalbook.com/ Click on “The Project” and you’ll find quite a few links to their web-based extensions.
I ran across ustream.tv and am fascinated by it. A teaching colleague of mine wants to integrate it into his classes and loves the text-over-image approach. Sort of a multi-layered conversation. Here, the web acts as both facilitator and writer, just depending on what’s going on.
Alec