Assignment #8: Coyote UGLY

Link: TEXTS FROM LAST NIGHT (http://textsfromlastnight.com)

     There comes a time when even an advocate of an internet has to take a step back and realize that some websites are just plain ugly. There are things that shouldn't be posted on the internet - let alone said in general. Unfortunately, along with all the good that I truly believe the internet gives us, there comes the bad that no one seems to understand is bad. The problem with having the ability to post anything on the internet is that some people know no limits and don't understand what crosses the line. 

    The website Texts From Last Night is a great example of ugly on the internet. This site is a place where people all over the US post "texts" they supposedly received from "last night". This basically implies that they were drunk, high, hungover, and just in general not making the best decisions. Don't get me wrong, I am not going to lie and say that I haven't browsed the site out of boredom. BUT the fact that it has become such a big website (3290 pages of confessions), there is even a store section where you can buy the most "popular" texts on t-shirts, is concerning. 

   We as a population should not be feeding in to such horrible ways of entertainment. There is so much explicit material on this website that it is even hard to pin point a singular vulgarity. There is even a section called the "best nights" which not only is biased, but also encourages the bad life choices a lot of these people are making. It saddens me that our society could be so entertained by the wild nights of others and WANT to experience those nights ourselves. I would hope that websites like these don't glorify things like blacking out but that hope is obviously naive. Internet, you've disappointed me. 

Assignment #8: Whose Afraid of the Big BAD Wolf

Link: IMGFAVE (http://imgfave.com)

    It was really hard for me to find a site that could only be considered "bad". I am someone who uses a lot of websites to waste time and though I may not see a site as damaging to myself - it can definitely be damaging to children. The worst kinds of "bad" sites are the ones that do not seem bad and will not get banned by the common parental controls. Personally, I don't agree with parental controls but a site of this manner can be scary for those who did. 
    I used the site "imgfave" as a great example of this kid of website. This site is an image sharing website where you can make an account, post your own images, make collections of images, or just browse the "popular" images of others. One can favorite an image and it then goes into their profile. A danger there is that it can be linked to you through your Facebook which could give access to future employers and family members. So, like any social media website, you have to be careful about you what post and what you "favorite". 
   It isn't a bad website in my mind, I actually browse on it every day, but when I actually thought about it while scrolling I saw a lot of graphic, sexual, and inappropriate behavior. Yes, there is a lot of Disney images, too much One Direction obsession posts, funny and appropriate images, but there are also a lot of half-naked pictures and uses of explicit language. 

The Good: 

The Bad:

   On sites like these, that seem very bright and happy, a parent who really cares has to be very careful about watching what websites their kids are on. Its sites like these that can be considered "bad" and start to give the internet a bad reputation. Honestly, a lot of people probably wouldn't be too upset about this website but it is only bad....we haven't reached the ugly section yet! I hope websites like these aren't what have people up in arms about the dangers of the internet because they really aren't that horrible. But then again, I am a child of the technological age - what do I know? :)

Assignment #8: Glinda, The GOOD

Link: VOLUNTEER MATCH (http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/index.jsp)

      As a participant in the new "virtual revolution" I see a lot of good in the internet. So much good, in fact, that it was hard to pick a site that I did not find as "good" in some way. However, saying that twitter is a good thing, could be very controversial and probably limits those who would agree with me my generation. I want to show those who are skeptical about the dangers of the internet, those who see more bad than good, that there is less to be afraid of then they might think. 
    I chose to look at a site that is focused around doing good around the world and not just in one's own home - Volunteer Match. This website is designed to pair those looking to volunteer in their area with an unlimited amount of opportunities to do so. Any one who wants to give back or contribute to the world can go on this website and it also can connect those who are interested in  meeting others who have the same interests in volunteering.
    Personally, I find volunteering to be one of the most important "good"s in out world. We have a lot of problems in the world but it always gives me hope when people want to join together without getting paid. Especially in such a money driven society! When the internet can make things like this so convenient it is easy to have hope for what the internet can do in the future in the aspects of "good". Even those who hate the idea of the internet and find it as a poison to our youth can agree that sites like these are beneficial. 
    Obviously I see a lot of sites as good in the aspect of every day life, but showing and finding sites like these validate my love for the internet across the board. I truly am a huge advocate for the use of the internet through out life and it is really hard for me to not get heated when people find so much bad because they want to. I am sick of people being scared of everything new. in 20 years no one is going to care about the internet and everyone will be on to something new - like teleportation (I hope!!). 

Other volunteering sites:
http://www.interconnection.org
http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/index.html