Monday, April 6, 2009

React with a Sledgehammer or the Kid might Win

I must first say thank you to the "Henry Jenkins Interview" piece for mentioning something that bothers me every time. It seems to be the consequence of fear that those who feel they are losing their control tend to react with a hammer rather than a needle. If something seems threatening, it is irradicated rather than dealt with. Myspace and Facebook aren't evil things intended to destroy youth today. While I agree that some degree of regulation when it comes to predators would be prudent, I also agree with the fact that the social network is an environment that can be beneficial to the development of teen identities. Even if it weren't, fighting against it in this day and age is swimming against the tide. Understanding seems to be the best way of adapting to this change and it would do everyone some good, all generations that is, to begin the learning process so these inernet sites don't seem so threatening. That being said, the "Testing Horace Mann" piece was distressing in itself. The idea of the effect of class on the teenager has been previously discussed and my attention was immediately drawn to the fact that these teens that were being so malicious are privileged kids. It was truly unnecessary for them to behave the way they did, and I think that is why their actions seemed so shocking. It's extreme behavior like that that causes the public to react so strongly and to actually fear digital mediums. No jokes this time around. Learning these mediums and understanding their cultural impacts is truly the best method for stopping things such as the "Testing of Horace Mann" and internet predations.

1 comment:

  1. Meg, Every blog you posted has a deep sense of connection to the course and to your intellectual process in making sense. I really enjoyed reading these.

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