As a brief reflection of Module One, I am particularly pleased that the meaning of Web 2.0 has been fully explained (although it would seem that a universally accepted definition is open to some discussion). I can finally contextualize all those sites and applications that have been mentioned by students, other staff and via media comments. Perhaps mixed with the thrill of a "Brave New World" is the so-called "dark side". Most of the videos viewed in the module mentioned problems and concerns towards the conclusion of their presentations - but these are fast becoming issues that are proving difficult to manage. As a teacher of a unit on ethics in the senior Studies of Religion course, I often tell students that guidance bodies like governments, churches and professional organizations need to be relatively conservative in embracing new areas of science as the best intentions of scientists/researchers can be compromised by problematic applications of their "discoveries" (the "Frankenstein" conundrum - for example, the wonder of assisting infertile couples with the move towards "designer babies").
Already the issues of cyber bullying, sleep deprivation and hours spent on social networking sites are giving us a really "dark side" of Facebook. With such a ready exchange of information, it is going to be increasingly hard to detect bias, prejudice and proper academic credentials - testing the reliability of information will be a real challenge. The issues of intellectual ownership and copyright are in real danger of disappearing - perhaps the new reality will see "payment" for one's work in terms of exchange. This sharing of information, opinion, creation and interpretation will become a form of barter. I think it is rather ironic that the age of 21st century technology is leading us to the most basic form of exchange.
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