I think it is a good metaphor for cyberspace; like drugs’ being modified, with technology, the cyberspace is consistently changing, shaping the world, human behaviors and emotions etc. And, usually, drugs have side effects, and disinhibition is what we react to such medication.
From “Web 2.0 Storytelling Emergence of New Genre” by Alexender & Levine (2008), I have learned so much more about the Web 2.0 technologies and tools. What interests me the most is the explanation of both microcontent and social media. The technology such as computer, the Internet makes it easier to create Web 2.0 content, swallowing users through their participation and publishing acts. This allows us to be able to access to new practices for telling stories. Those small chunks of content can be published online as if drinking afternoon tea that easy. The social media makes it even more powerful by placing contents around people. Again, it is like one ‘snowball’ effect: one content is tagged, linked, related to others’ work, being viewed through various pairs of eyes. The audience range is expanded without touching any edge abruptly.
I feel the power of this new medication, and it is even more fascinating to read through analyzed points through detailed explanations.
What my class has discussed is the response to this growing power that is unpredictable for everyone. Having read “The Online Disinhibiton Effect” by Suler (2004), I start to question myself sometimes when I go online, having conversation with friends or writing on my website. In reality, I think people would act differently in front of various partners, not to mention their expression online. The invisibility, for example, could make one more comfortable to express freely (Suler, 2004). I certainly think it is inevitable to see the developing technology and people’s online behaviors. At the same time, I would hope more people would be more cautious when they are present online.
I would really like to see what it would look at in the next 20 years.
