About 180 million Americans have access to the internet (Greer 11). Eastin, Yang and Nathanson report that a study done by the Pew Research Center found that “44% of Internet users have created content for the Internet, and only a small portion of them update their content on a regular basis” (211). These statistics are frightening because millions of us are relying on internet sources for factual, accurate information however, much of the information we find online is created by people lacking proper credentials or adequate knowledge.
My inquiry question therefore is how do we know what we read online is credible and is online information affecting our perception of fact/truth? Since the internet and online searching is only growing in popularity, my conclusion is that the public needs to understand the factors affecting their perceptions of credibility, the process in which information is accepted as fact and the importance of ethical coverage of information in the media.
1. Many factors affect people’s perceptions of internet credibility. One study found that when researching health information in particular, users relied on source expertise and knowledge of content when assessing credibility (Eastin). A problem associated with credibility on the internet is that the internet itself is structured internally. Burbules writes that “when we do try to judge the credibility of an information source, we frequently must rely on other information gleaned within the network” (443). In other words, in order to determine whether a source is reliable, oftentimes we search on the internet itself for that information which leads us to the question whether or not that secondary site is credible. Site sponsor, contact information, currency of information, customer service response time, and site structure are also influential factors in people’s perceptions of site credibility. These sources report similar information. Whatever the factor may be, the information presented is not the only thing people are basing credibility on. People need to be aware of the tactics that websites can employ to distract from the quality of their information so that they will be less likely to fall victim to false reporting.
I conducted two interviews to get an understanding of what the public sees as factors affecting credibility online. The first interview, conducted with a college student, returned the following information: She explained that “for many websites, there is no lengthy publication process to guarantee credibility and while the act of internet research may seem like a convenience as it is so easily accessible, it is this accessibility that requires an almost more difficult and certainly more critical reading to guarantee credibility” (Nash) The second interview, done with an employee in a school district who works as a media technician in a school library. She said “too much is being taken at face value as truth simply because it's on the Internet. We are just so inundated with information that it becomes difficult to sort fact from fiction” (DeLand). She also went on to explain that it is good that people question the information they read, however, with all of the unreliable information out there, we are forced to question too much and can stall a person out.
2. So, after a person has located information online and has taken the factors listed above into consideration, just how exactly does information become fact? Peer review is a term that means people with credentials and knowledge have reviewed the information and deemed it credible. This is a fairly reliable means of sorting through “good” information from the rest of it. Bruckman explains that students and other users of internet information need to understand the theories of what makes something “true.” She explains that truth is socially constructed and “social acceptance is what makes something a fact” (Bruckman 36). She goes on to say that “an idea is not much of a fact if only one lonely person believes it” (36). The notion that everything we consider to be a fact came about my means of a social process is a little disconcerting. However, until the information is widespread enough that it is accepted by a large group of people, it probably would never have been known at all, as Bruckman suggests. What is important to recognize though, is who is accepting the information as a fact and what their credentials to do so are. This will help weed through the millions of opinion polls to the knowledgeable, credentialed people who are likely to be accurate in their information.
3. The nature of the media right now is that each network, each site and each reporter wants to be the first with the latest information. This hurried style of reporting reduces the importance of checking your facts in order to get the story out as soon as possible. Unfortunately this doesn’t always lead to an ethical, reliable and accurate form of reporting. A good example of unethical media coverage lies in the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. The story depicts a society of people whose qualities and individual characteristics are being controlled through various means to make everyone exactly equal. Intelligence, strength, skill, etc. are reduced to an equal level among all members of the society. The story is about a husband and wife whose son is exceptionally talented and imprisoned for his resistance to controlling his abilities. The husband and wife watch his escape and eventual death on television. The media has an obligation to get information out to the people, however, where should the line be drawn? Does personal privacy get thrown out the window in the interest of sharing information? Is information being catered to certain population groups instead of a comprehensive approach?
I would like to further discuss the following questions: Can the American public continue to rely on internet sources as a credible and reliable medium for facts? If so, how can the public be educated on credibility so that fewer people are misinformed or swayed by biased and incorrect information?
Works Cited
Bruckman, Amy S. "Student Research and the Internet." Communications of the ACM 48.12 (2005): 35-38. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
Burbules, Nicholas C. "Paradoxes of the Web: The Ethical Dimensions of Credibility." Library Trends 49.3 (2001): 441-53. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
DeLand, Diana. Personal Interview. November 10, 2009.
Eastin, Matthew S. "Credibility Assessments of Online Health Information: The Effects of Source Expertise and Knowledge of Content ." Journal of Computer Mediated Communication 6.4 (2001): n. pag. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
Eastin, Matthew S., Mong-Shan Yang, and Amy I. Nathanson. "Children of the Net: An Empirical Exploration Into the Evaluation of Internet Content." Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media 50.2 (2006): 211-30. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
Greer, Jennifer D. "Evaluation the Credibility of Online Information: A Test of Source and Advertising Influence." Mass Communication & Society 6.1 (2003): 11-28. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
Nash, Monica. Personal Interview. November 9, 2009.
Vonnegut, Kurt Jr. “Harrison Bergeron.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Eds. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. New York: Pearson-Longman, 2007. 198-202.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Quote Response
Othello: "To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?"
Emilia: "Never, my lord."
Othello: "That's strange." (Shakespeare 1011).
This scene is where Othello is basically interrogating Emilia as to whether or not she has seen anything going on between Cassius and Desdemona. I chose this portion of the scene because it seems as though Othello's last line of my quoted passage gives the impression that he starts to doubt the allegations against his wife. Emilia ensures Othello that nothing is going on between the two and that Desdemona is completely honest and trustworthy.
To me, I would think that Othello would take Emilia's word into consideration over that of Iago's. Although, since Othello and Iago are closer, he may suspect that Emilia is simply trying to cover for Desdemona by lying to Othello. Of course we know that ultimately Othello believes Iago's story, but he does seem to have a moment in that quoted passage where he begins to question the accuracy of the claims that she is cheating on him. It's certainly too bad that this wasn't the feeling he kept, of course then the play wouldn't be much of a tragedy!
Emilia: "Never, my lord."
Othello: "That's strange." (Shakespeare 1011).
This scene is where Othello is basically interrogating Emilia as to whether or not she has seen anything going on between Cassius and Desdemona. I chose this portion of the scene because it seems as though Othello's last line of my quoted passage gives the impression that he starts to doubt the allegations against his wife. Emilia ensures Othello that nothing is going on between the two and that Desdemona is completely honest and trustworthy.
To me, I would think that Othello would take Emilia's word into consideration over that of Iago's. Although, since Othello and Iago are closer, he may suspect that Emilia is simply trying to cover for Desdemona by lying to Othello. Of course we know that ultimately Othello believes Iago's story, but he does seem to have a moment in that quoted passage where he begins to question the accuracy of the claims that she is cheating on him. It's certainly too bad that this wasn't the feeling he kept, of course then the play wouldn't be much of a tragedy!
Scene Response
I chose to respond to the 1995 version of Othello.
First, I noticed that this was the only version that cast Othello as a black man. I was surprised that the other two versions did not because I thought that the play made it very clear about Othello's race, not that it necessarily contributes, but Shakespeare does make sure the reader knows Othello is black.
Also, with regards to the lighting, I noticed that as the two characters went further and further into their discussion, the lighting got darker and darker. The scene began with the two of them outside in the bright daylight, then as Othello pushed Iago to reveal the details of his suspicions, the scene got darker. I thought that this technique was especially effective because as the dialogue got darker, so did the scene. It really helped as the viewer to understand the situation as a serious one (in case I missed some of the dialogue that gave it away).
Finally, I noticed the use of close-ups on the actor's faces. When Iago was whispering into Othello's ear about Desdemona and Cassius, the camera was zoomed in very close on their faces. This allowed the viewer to see the look of shock, disbelief and horror on Othello's face and the mischevious look on Iago's. Also, near the end of the clip when Othello has the nightmare about seeing his wife and Cassius together, the camera is on a close-up of his face to see both the physical and emotional pain Iago has caused him.
First, I noticed that this was the only version that cast Othello as a black man. I was surprised that the other two versions did not because I thought that the play made it very clear about Othello's race, not that it necessarily contributes, but Shakespeare does make sure the reader knows Othello is black.
Also, with regards to the lighting, I noticed that as the two characters went further and further into their discussion, the lighting got darker and darker. The scene began with the two of them outside in the bright daylight, then as Othello pushed Iago to reveal the details of his suspicions, the scene got darker. I thought that this technique was especially effective because as the dialogue got darker, so did the scene. It really helped as the viewer to understand the situation as a serious one (in case I missed some of the dialogue that gave it away).
Finally, I noticed the use of close-ups on the actor's faces. When Iago was whispering into Othello's ear about Desdemona and Cassius, the camera was zoomed in very close on their faces. This allowed the viewer to see the look of shock, disbelief and horror on Othello's face and the mischevious look on Iago's. Also, near the end of the clip when Othello has the nightmare about seeing his wife and Cassius together, the camera is on a close-up of his face to see both the physical and emotional pain Iago has caused him.
Freestyle
Another post about a reading that I've done in one of my nursing texts!
This week I read a chapter about how best to manage and deal with problem employees from a manager's point of view. The text listed various theories and strategies behind different problem solving methods that I was completely unaware of.
I think we are all taught basic problem solving techniques (don't kick your brother, hitting is bad, don't take what isn't yours, etc.) but I had no idea that there were theories and research behind those basic principles.
Obviously the work setting can be a bit more complicated than those problems I mentioned above, but really the bottom line usually is that one employee dislikes another and they aren't being productive at work due to this conflict. It seems like a manager could simply work off common sense or intuition, but this wouldn't always result in a fair, ethical decision.
We all have our own bias when it comes to situations, so I would suppose that theory and research certainly does have a place in managing workplace conflict so that managers don't have to rely solely on their personal feelings when dealing with conflict. I would wonder though how often managers employ these strategies instead of going with their gut feeling.
This week I read a chapter about how best to manage and deal with problem employees from a manager's point of view. The text listed various theories and strategies behind different problem solving methods that I was completely unaware of.
I think we are all taught basic problem solving techniques (don't kick your brother, hitting is bad, don't take what isn't yours, etc.) but I had no idea that there were theories and research behind those basic principles.
Obviously the work setting can be a bit more complicated than those problems I mentioned above, but really the bottom line usually is that one employee dislikes another and they aren't being productive at work due to this conflict. It seems like a manager could simply work off common sense or intuition, but this wouldn't always result in a fair, ethical decision.
We all have our own bias when it comes to situations, so I would suppose that theory and research certainly does have a place in managing workplace conflict so that managers don't have to rely solely on their personal feelings when dealing with conflict. I would wonder though how often managers employ these strategies instead of going with their gut feeling.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Quote Response
Iago: "Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me for making him egregiously an ass and practicing upon his peace and quiet even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused. Knavery's plain face is never seen till used" (Shakespeare 968).
This seems like the moment where Iago is outlining his plans against Desdemona and Othello. He is alone during this monologue and appears to be planning it all out loud for himself, perhaps before he involves the other characters. I'm assuming that the play will go similarly to the movie, which is why I believe that this is the moment where Iago defines his future actions for himself and then manipulates and coerces the others into his plan, as the characters in the movie did.
The words that stand out for me are in the last sentence. I take knavery to mean trickery or dishonest, and Iago is saying that dishonesty is never seen till used which I understand as his way of saying that none of the other characters will ever see it (Iago's scheme) coming until it is too late.
This is probably a very profound moment in the play since it is giving the audience or reader an insight into the upcoming events. It also makes the reader feel uneasy and afraid for Desdemona and Othello, as they become aware of Iago's plan and know that those two characters are in danger, and they have no idea. They trust Iago and see him as a friend, which is what makes his plan so compelling for the reader.
This seems like the moment where Iago is outlining his plans against Desdemona and Othello. He is alone during this monologue and appears to be planning it all out loud for himself, perhaps before he involves the other characters. I'm assuming that the play will go similarly to the movie, which is why I believe that this is the moment where Iago defines his future actions for himself and then manipulates and coerces the others into his plan, as the characters in the movie did.
The words that stand out for me are in the last sentence. I take knavery to mean trickery or dishonest, and Iago is saying that dishonesty is never seen till used which I understand as his way of saying that none of the other characters will ever see it (Iago's scheme) coming until it is too late.
This is probably a very profound moment in the play since it is giving the audience or reader an insight into the upcoming events. It also makes the reader feel uneasy and afraid for Desdemona and Othello, as they become aware of Iago's plan and know that those two characters are in danger, and they have no idea. They trust Iago and see him as a friend, which is what makes his plan so compelling for the reader.
Freestyle
While some may not consider this a reading issue, I absolutely do. This happened a few days ago at the grocery store:
A young married couple were discussing a certain product at the grocery store. I was in the same aisle and couldn't help but overhear their discussion. They were obviously trying to watch their calorie in take and were studying the nutrition label on the side of the package. One of them said, "Oh good, look at this. There are only 200 calories in this! This would be great for me to take to work." They put the product in their cart and went on their way. I couldn't tell you what made me walk over and pick up that same product to see if they had been correct. They were correct in that 200 calories was present in each serving, which there were 4 of. The couple completely misread the nutrition label and little do they know, one of them was going to consume the whole product for 800 calories, not 200.
Now, I will admit that it was good that these people were looking at food labels and making selections accordingly..but what good is that going to do anyone if they don't know how to properly read the labels?
As a healthcare worker, obesity is an absolute epidemic that robs people of their quality of life. It was encouraging to see that people are trying to be more aware of what their are eating, but ignorance about food labels is setting people up for failure, and that is hard to watch.
I think that it should be absolutely mandatory for students to take some sort of nutrition and wellness class that teaches people how to properly read food labels (at the very least). I honestly believe that the knowledge deficit that so many people have is contributing to the obesity problem and though I know it won't eliminate the problem, if we can get people educated about simple things like healthy shopping, it will certainly help.
A young married couple were discussing a certain product at the grocery store. I was in the same aisle and couldn't help but overhear their discussion. They were obviously trying to watch their calorie in take and were studying the nutrition label on the side of the package. One of them said, "Oh good, look at this. There are only 200 calories in this! This would be great for me to take to work." They put the product in their cart and went on their way. I couldn't tell you what made me walk over and pick up that same product to see if they had been correct. They were correct in that 200 calories was present in each serving, which there were 4 of. The couple completely misread the nutrition label and little do they know, one of them was going to consume the whole product for 800 calories, not 200.
Now, I will admit that it was good that these people were looking at food labels and making selections accordingly..but what good is that going to do anyone if they don't know how to properly read the labels?
As a healthcare worker, obesity is an absolute epidemic that robs people of their quality of life. It was encouraging to see that people are trying to be more aware of what their are eating, but ignorance about food labels is setting people up for failure, and that is hard to watch.
I think that it should be absolutely mandatory for students to take some sort of nutrition and wellness class that teaches people how to properly read food labels (at the very least). I honestly believe that the knowledge deficit that so many people have is contributing to the obesity problem and though I know it won't eliminate the problem, if we can get people educated about simple things like healthy shopping, it will certainly help.
Quote Response
The scene from O that stands out the most for me is when Hugo explains his plan to Odin to kill both Desi and Michael. He explains that Odin is to "make up" with Desi and then kill her when she is alone in her dorm room (after her roommate leaves for the basketball game) while Hugo will recruit Roger to shoot Michael and then make it look like a suicide. The plan was to frame Michael for Desi's murder by placing a glass that Michael drank out of in Desi's room. Then, Roger and Hugo will kill Michael to make it appear as though he took his own life out of guilt.
Hugo was pretty obviously manipulative throughout the entire film, but I think this particular scene was the product of an accumulation of manipulation that occurred with all of the characters. Hugo effectively intertwined each character into his scheme and ended up the only one standing at the end. I was surprised that he managed to brainwash everyone without much opposition or hold-ups in his plan. I think that the fact that everyone went right along with what Hugo had to say was most shocking about this scene (and the rest of the movie). I would like to think that people have more independence and autonomy than they displayed in the film, but I also know that a strong personality and charisma is enough to sway a large group of people.
This scene brought all of the events of the movie to a head and the crazy sprial of Hugo's plan was in motion. The film techniques that I noticed were that the camera was at about eye level with Hugo and was zoomed in on him during this scene. It really showed the emotion that the character was portraying and allowed the viewer to understand how serious and and menacing the scene really was.
Hugo was pretty obviously manipulative throughout the entire film, but I think this particular scene was the product of an accumulation of manipulation that occurred with all of the characters. Hugo effectively intertwined each character into his scheme and ended up the only one standing at the end. I was surprised that he managed to brainwash everyone without much opposition or hold-ups in his plan. I think that the fact that everyone went right along with what Hugo had to say was most shocking about this scene (and the rest of the movie). I would like to think that people have more independence and autonomy than they displayed in the film, but I also know that a strong personality and charisma is enough to sway a large group of people.
This scene brought all of the events of the movie to a head and the crazy sprial of Hugo's plan was in motion. The film techniques that I noticed were that the camera was at about eye level with Hugo and was zoomed in on him during this scene. It really showed the emotion that the character was portraying and allowed the viewer to understand how serious and and menacing the scene really was.
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