If we
propagate that sharing information is good, honourable and selfless then we are
to think that the people sharing the information truly possess those
qualities. Often that is not the case.
The ones who are the trend setters and viral information distributors have alternative
agendas. Often their agendas are hidden in the subconscious, not of the
internet but of their selfish desires.
By being a part of something bigger then
themselves, we often emulate stardom, and the gratification we get from such
activity is not honourable. People also do this not to spread information but
to promote something that can later on become a commodity. Distinguishing
between the intentions behind sharing is just as important as the content being
shared. If we are not too careful then we will become a marketing target. Just
look at what has happened to Facebook. With this being said do you think targeted advertisements are a
justified cost for “free” information?
I definitely agree with what is being said in this post. Most people who project their online self over the internet do so for personal reasons and most of the time do it for some sort of recognition, or like you have said, stardom. I do not think that it is done maliciously or sometimes consciously, but I do think that it is done to build a persons online status. We are in a culture where fame and fortune is a possibly, especially through wide spread dissemination of information and it is becoming easier to gain this status online. I would not say that advertisements are a justified cost for "free" information - people are advertising themselves and their information so it is more of a process than a cost. A cost would mean that advertising ourselves is an addition to our online identities rather than the point of it all. This is generally speaking and there are certain situations where I would not apply this to.
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn
I personally do not mind the targeted advertisements. I believe that if you are a consumer, and there is the means by which to market to your demographic specifically, why put yourself at n economic disadvantage by not doing so? I don't mind going on Facebook and seeing advertisements for sneakers and movies rather than products that are not of interest to me. People choose to put their information online, and it is absurd to think that the information is going to be left alone if it is useful to companies.
ReplyDeleteAdam