What is the dark side of the Web, and how does it play into your paper about style and technology?
Funny, if we all agreed on the dark side of the web...surely there would be limits on information access...but wait...just recently in an online news article:
"We are fundamentally guided by the belief that more information for our users is ultimately better," said Nicole Wong, Google's deputy general counsel.
Quoted from article: URL: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100401/D9EPUIV80.html
The Dark Side of the Web – Dennis Baron
In reading this chapter, one can see some of the authors points on how the advent of the web and or computers has allowed for the “dark side “of the web to expand. Certainly, there are hate-filled sites, on a variety of topics as well as sex-oriented sites on anything and everything. I do not see this as a bad thing, especially in the United States. As noted in the chapter, countries like China have taken and do take steps to censor or limit information via the Internet. In my opinion... so what! That is the policy of that country or of several others. As long as we maintain freedom in our country, I see no problem with the expansion of the web, including the so-called “dark side”. These groups, messages and ideas have developed and expanded over time using whatever the latest technology is, printing presses, telephones, cell phones, etc. It is all an offshoot of “freedom of speech”. Should we have rules, laws and regulations for various “dark sides of the We?” Well, it depends! There is no yes or no answer!
For example, in my house, I choose to implement a web filter program to limit access to these sites. I am deciding and as a proactive parent, controlling information , only into my house. Let all the information flow…..responsible folks should be able to determine if they want to limit or restrict sites in the home.
That is just one scenario, what about schools, libraries, and the workplace. Well, perhaps this is where my idea of "freedom for all..."ends. I do not see any issue with a library or school limiting information via the Internet that is coming into each location. These users are not “in the privacy of their own home”….so sorry…you must play by the rules. This same idea should apply to the workplace….you are allowed the privilege to access the Internet at work…..so again play by the rules.
So to the blog posted question: What is the dark side of the Web, and how does it play into your paper about style and technology?
The dark side of the web, I believe is subject to interpretation, just because I do not like your message, I have no right to censor it. Nevertheless, I have the right to not allow the message into my home, via filtering the Web as it enters my personal space or home network. How does it play into my paper? I really don’t think it does. I think Baron is anti-technology and just does not like any emerging technologies. The use of IM and email in the workplace, while some may argue is a waste of time, does not fit into any “dark side of the Web” in my opinion…..just over reaction as to the potential effects by some that may disagree.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Final Paper Thesis
Internet-Based Workplace Communications is widely used in many offices in today’s business world. The use of these tools have affected inter-office communication and writing styles of many business professionals and not always in a positive manner. While the use of these tools can increase productivity, these tools should be used with caution as to not affect the world of business communication negatively.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Week 7 Blog Topic
Think about all you've read in Baron, Lanham, and Williams--as well as the presentations and discussions you've seen. Define style (again). And, list out as many elements of style as you can. Feel free to borrow from peers' ideas in their blogs, too. You might indicate which are hardest for your to see in your own writing.
The dreaded “What is Style?” question is again asked. Perhaps after several week of reading the assigned texts, I can better formulate an answer. I am not sure about the better part, but I can form a response to “Define style…”
Style in writing is not one thing. It can’t be pigeonholed as “following the rules” or “correct grammar”. It is a concept that is different for everyone, yet similar when we identify common elements of style. I think the difference is in how the individual puts together the pieces of style to form the final results, the writing, or the picture composed of many parts. After reading Baron and Williams, I think a good analogy is jig saw pieces being the elements or parts of style and the final or complete picture the end result, presented in a particular writing style. One difference in writing style and the puzzle analogy is that we all have access to the various tools or pieces that make up style, but each individual puts them together in a different way, presenting their own personal style. We have the same puzzle pieces, but in a writing context, they can fit together in any of a number of ways.
Some of the elements of style we have read about to date include:
Correctness – using the correct rules when appropriate, and perhaps adapting the rules when needed.
Actions – linking characters to actions, using action verbs,
Characters – using short concrete, specific subject of verbs both active and passive
Cohesion and coherenece – sound the same but are not the same thing. Using clear sentences and fitting the together so they are written, read and move smoothly with unbroken continuity.
Emphasis – emphasizing the correct parts in the sentence
Concision – writing in a concise style or being concise in presenting the information
Shape – Break long sentences into shorter, more concise sentences, shape the idea being presented.
Elegance
The Ethics of Style
The dreaded “What is Style?” question is again asked. Perhaps after several week of reading the assigned texts, I can better formulate an answer. I am not sure about the better part, but I can form a response to “Define style…”
Style in writing is not one thing. It can’t be pigeonholed as “following the rules” or “correct grammar”. It is a concept that is different for everyone, yet similar when we identify common elements of style. I think the difference is in how the individual puts together the pieces of style to form the final results, the writing, or the picture composed of many parts. After reading Baron and Williams, I think a good analogy is jig saw pieces being the elements or parts of style and the final or complete picture the end result, presented in a particular writing style. One difference in writing style and the puzzle analogy is that we all have access to the various tools or pieces that make up style, but each individual puts them together in a different way, presenting their own personal style. We have the same puzzle pieces, but in a writing context, they can fit together in any of a number of ways.
Some of the elements of style we have read about to date include:
Correctness – using the correct rules when appropriate, and perhaps adapting the rules when needed.
Actions – linking characters to actions, using action verbs,
Characters – using short concrete, specific subject of verbs both active and passive
Cohesion and coherenece – sound the same but are not the same thing. Using clear sentences and fitting the together so they are written, read and move smoothly with unbroken continuity.
Emphasis – emphasizing the correct parts in the sentence
Concision – writing in a concise style or being concise in presenting the information
Shape – Break long sentences into shorter, more concise sentences, shape the idea being presented.
Elegance
The Ethics of Style
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Week 6 - Better Pencil Reading Post
Topic: Baron provides examples of “a better pencil.” What does he mean by the concept, and how might that impact style? Consider what your approach to your final course paper might be and how Baron’s ideas relate to it.
In reading the assigned chapters by Baron, I was a little confused. I am not sure exactly if Baron is pro technology or anti technology, a Luddite? I get the feeling from his writing that the whole “A Better Pencil” is about more than meets the eye. I sense a bit of sarcasm on Barons writings.
Baron notes “Books are technology…” are they? I guess we can argue that yes, books, printed and bound into a useful format are technology. Is that the extent? The end product of information in a useful, portable format. In a way a book is like the internet. While limited by the content of one book, it is a technology tool used to find information. The Web is also a tool, in a different format, used to find entertainment or information. Unfortunately, this may apply only to a reference book. What about a novel or entertainment in book form? Is that technology also? I do not think so. The book delivering the novel contents is the technology; the chapters and words inside are the entertainment.
Perhaps by better pencil Baron means that technology, including computers and the Web are the “better pencil.” We use both to document and retrieve ideas and information, just in a different format. Over history the pencil has been used to document information, it is retrieved when a person references or reads the written information back at a later time. I am not sure in reading Baron, that he feels style is impacted by tools other than the pencil. His point it seems is akin to the old saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Even though we have tools like computers and networks such as the internet, the basics of writing style remain the same, as does the good old reliable number 2 pencil.
In reading the assigned chapters by Baron, I was a little confused. I am not sure exactly if Baron is pro technology or anti technology, a Luddite? I get the feeling from his writing that the whole “A Better Pencil” is about more than meets the eye. I sense a bit of sarcasm on Barons writings.
Baron notes “Books are technology…” are they? I guess we can argue that yes, books, printed and bound into a useful format are technology. Is that the extent? The end product of information in a useful, portable format. In a way a book is like the internet. While limited by the content of one book, it is a technology tool used to find information. The Web is also a tool, in a different format, used to find entertainment or information. Unfortunately, this may apply only to a reference book. What about a novel or entertainment in book form? Is that technology also? I do not think so. The book delivering the novel contents is the technology; the chapters and words inside are the entertainment.
Perhaps by better pencil Baron means that technology, including computers and the Web are the “better pencil.” We use both to document and retrieve ideas and information, just in a different format. Over history the pencil has been used to document information, it is retrieved when a person references or reads the written information back at a later time. I am not sure in reading Baron, that he feels style is impacted by tools other than the pencil. His point it seems is akin to the old saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Even though we have tools like computers and networks such as the internet, the basics of writing style remain the same, as does the good old reliable number 2 pencil.
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