MySpace Backlash Could Stunt Emerging Social Networking
Another interesting post at AlwaysOn
So warns MIT’s Henry Jenkins. Government regulations would widen the “Participation Gap” Panic, hysteria and overheated media coverage of privacy issues at MySpacethreaten the growth of emerging social networks, says Henry Jenkins“, co-director of the Media Studies program and Professor of Media Convergence at MIT. Henry believes that social networking will be essential to young people as they organize in groups for social and political action. He is concerned that the backlash surrounding the problems with MySpace could force Congress into creating restrictive laws which would bar computers in libraries and school from using social networking software. Much has been said about the “Digital Divide.” Henry sees a real danger in what he calls the “Participation Gap” – the gap between young people who can participate in social networks and others who are blocked – and says the backlash against MySpace will only widen this gap......
Andy Plesser
I wish we would stop reacting to a very small number of incidents by passing ridiculously restrictive laws. The short-lived attention the politicians get have long-lasting negative effects.
Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive
Comments
If a teenage girl met a guy in Safeway and they fell in love decided to get married...do we hold Safeway accountable for that introduction?
Or better yet, how many adolescent romances bloom in schools....should we close the schools?
Somebody robs a bank and uses a car to get away...do we hold General Motors accountable??
I think some people have their priorities in the wrong place.
Any benefits in advances in social networking technologies far out weight the bad...just like everything else, yes, there do need to be some guidelines...but let's not get carried away.
I wonder how many of the folks who are criticizing MySpace and want to regulate it, really know and understand online social networking first hand?
Posted by: geof lambert | June 25, 2006 10:29 AM
It is interesting that some in Washington obviously didn't completly understand the technology known as "email" a number of years back, or perhaps they would have behaved and communicated a little differently...
FROM AP
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060625/ap_on_go_pr_wh/abramoff_white_house;_ylt=Am.loX3l_q8twoKhFP8.46Os0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--
>>>>>>>>A day later, an ecstatic Abramoff sent an e-mail thanking Norquist for "accommodating" the introductions. "I spoke with the ambassador today and he is moving my ATR request forward," the lobbyist wrote, referring to the donation.
Kartch confirmed Norquist invited the foreigners to the ATR event, but Kartch said the group never asked for, expected or received the $100,000.
It was not the first time that Abramoff sought ATR donations in connection with lobbying business. E-mails dating to 1995 show Abramoff solicited donations from clients to Norquist's group as part of lobbying efforts.
Posted by: geof | June 25, 2006 11:38 AM