2.2
Define ‘Deep Web’
A google search defined the Deep Web as ‘the portion of the Internet that is hidden from conventional search engines, as by encryption; the aggregate of unindexed websites’ (dictionary.com). While the Interact2 search returned the definition ‘online content that cannot be accessed through search engines, for whatever reason- often estimated to account for as much as 90% of the internet’ (Chandler & Munday, 2016)
Think about the ramifications of having ready access to information at all times. For example, how does this aspect affect you and your capacity to study this subject. What are 3 benefits and 3 negatives?
Positives
- ‘No right to ignore’ (Floridi, 2007). As predicted, possessing information on demand requires humanity to be more accountable for their actions. Ignorance is no excuse when a quick google search for the lastest news items, legislation changes or topics could illuminate a serious deficite in society eg. The severity of plastic pollution and its effects on the environment or the high correlation between lung cancer and smoking cigarettes.
- Easier lines of interaction via improved technology eg mobile phones, internet and laptops, have boosted economies around the world. Widening possible sales markets via social media and online shopping opportunities has allowed businesses to expand their potential market, increase their sales and stimulate online economies which, hopefully, then feeds into local economies. It has also provided opportunities for collaboration between businesses and new markets have developed as a result.
- Floridi (2007) predicts a merging of real life (RL) and the ‘infosphere’, which, as we know, has come to pass. In integrating technology and the web into RL new job opportunities have been created. The development of new technology and infosphere spaces have necessitated new job roles and provided multiple new areas of employment and specialisation.
Negatives
- Depersonalisation is one factor attributed to increased burnout levels in certain professions, including education, nursing and counselling (Maslach, Jackson & Leiter, 1986; Romano, Harris-Looby, Farrel, Mccrink & Wolman, 2016). It could be claimed that integrated technology and the lessening need to speak face-to-face with other people has the potential to increase levels of depersonalisation, particularly in students and children who have never been without wifi and Facebook. Depersonalising the internet and technology has led to the development of ‘trolls’ and ‘trolling’- leaving insulting messages on the internet anonymously or ambiguously with no purpose other than to annoy or hurt someone (Cambridge Dictionary Online).
- Research skills- as a Class Teacher and a Teacher Librarian, I have noticed the increased lack of research skills being developed in students moving through primary schools. Students have regularly suggested I ‘Google it’ to find something out but, aside from typing in an ambiguous phrase and hoping for the best, their deep research skills are limited and they struggle to find appropriate language or phrases that will be useful in finding their answers.
- ‘Fake news’ is a phenomenon that is not new but is being more recently acknowledged by the general public. Easy access to the internet and information gives the impression that all and any information found on the internet- be it search engines or social media platforms- must be correct and accurate. Perhaps, when the internet was just developing and less people had access to publishing information online, facts were more reliable. Now, however, with the development of social media and sites like Wikipedia, which allow access to any willing contributor, information found online must be read critically (Kurland, n.d.) before accepting it as ‘knowledge’ (Bryman, 2016).
References
Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (4th Edition).
Available from https://www.researchgate.net
Cambridge Dictionary Online: https://dictionary.cambridge.org
Chandler, D. & R. Munday. A Dictionary of Media and Communication (2nd Ed. ), 2016. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Available from: https://www-oxfordreference-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/view/10.1093/acref/9780191800986.001.0001/acref-9780191800986-e-3138
Dicitonary.com: https://www.dictionary.com/
Floridi, L. (2007). A look into the future impact of ICT on our lives. The Information Society, 23, 59-64. CSU Library
Kurland, D. (n.d.). Reading & writing ideas: What is critical reading?. Available from www.criticalreading.com
Maslach, C., S. E. Jackson, M. P. Leiter (1986) The Maslach burnout inventory manual (Third Edition) Available at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christina_Maslach/publication/ 277816643_The_Maslach_Burnout_Inventory_Manual/links/5574dbd708aeb6d8c01946d7.pdf
Romano, T., J. Harris-Looby, J. Farrell, C. Mccrink & C. Wolman (2016). Special and general education teachers’ perceptions of school reform initiatives relationship to stress and burnout. Available at https://primo.csu.edu.au/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=proquest1870036802&context=PC&vid=61CSU_INST:61CSU&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&tab=Everything&lang=en
