Chapter 5

Chapter 5 in The Internet introduced me to what Web 2.0 is and how the internet we use today is drastically different from Web 1.0, from the way people communicate and interact with each other to how information is shared and spread. I mainly started using the internet around 2005, so Web 2.0 is really all I’ve ever known. Because of that, it’s hard for me to imagine what the online world was like before many of the “creature comforts” we take for granted today, such as social media, interactive websites, and user-created content.
The second half of the chapter describes just how dependent society has become on online networks for both business and personal use. Facebook has grown into one of the largest social networks in the world and attracts users and advertisers from all over. If you’re looking for a job, sites such as LinkedIn have become almost necessary, since people now rely on online profiles to showcase resumes and skills and to connect with employers. As an older college student, this part of the chapter struck a chord with me the most. Upon graduation, I’m going to have to rely heavily on my resume, my personal and professional network, and my LinkedIn profile to give myself the best chance at finding a job once my higher education is complete.

Finally, towards the end of the chapter, the book touches on the rise of microblogs and how the speed of information in microblogs has led to the uncovering of many scandals as well as the ability to spread news faster than traditional methods. I have never really been a proponent of social media, and I try to stay off it as much as possible. I only maintain a Facebook account and that’s so I can use Facebook Marketplace to buy or sell items. I think social media has benefited society in some respects, but it also has hurt society as well. Personally, this chapter has made me reflect on the importance of Web 2.0 and has also made me wonder what the transfer to Web 3.0 will look like.  

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