Popular Notions about the web

[Migell Acosta]

Donald:

You might want to check out the current issue of 'Wired' magazine.  There 
is an article that explores the overriding negative tone of the New York 
Times' treatment of the Internet over the last couple of years.

When you see some of the headlines they've ran concerning the Internet, 
you can see a real negative bias in their coverage.

	- Migell


On Fri, 29 Aug 1997, Donald Barclay wrote:

> I'm trying to compile a list of popular notions about the web (or
> Internet).  In particular, I'm interested in notions that are spread via
> mass media (TV, movies, magazines, etc.). Such notions could be:
> 
> False: "All information in the world in on the web." 
> 
> Partially true: "If you use the web, people can gather information about
>                  you." 
> 
> Or entirely true: "You can find photographs of naked people on the
>                    web."
> 
> 
> The initial list that I brainstormed follows below my signature. Although
> I mention the "f" word in this list, my intent is that this mention be
> seen as neutral. It is certainly not an attempt by me to start another
> round of messages about f***ering. I've divided the list into pro- and
> antiweb categories, though maybe there will be some notions that don't
> fall into either camp. 
> 
> Thanks for any suggestions. If you want, you can respond directly to me
> and I will summarize for the entire list.
> 
> 
> Donald A. Barclay
> Coordinator of Electronic Services    always the beautiful answer
> University of Houston Libraries       who asks a more beautiful question
> dbarclay at uh.edu                               --e.e. cummings
> www.uh.edu/~dbarclay
> 
> Popular Notions about the Web (Internet)
> 
> Pro Web
> You can find anything on the web (if you are a good enough hacker).
> 
> The web is the fastest way to find information, and it's a snap to print
> or download anything you find.
> 
> You can use the web to directly communicate with the leading experts in
> any field.
> 
> You can use the web to get inside information you can't get anywhere else.
> 
> "Somebody" is in charge of the web.
> 
> All books, magazines, journals, etc. are either "somewhere" on the web or
> will be soon.
> 
> The web is always the best place to start looking for information.
> 
> The web is the only thing you need to do any research.
> 
> If I something is done with a computer in a movie, it can be done in real
> life.
> 
> You can get rich just by starting a business on the web.
> 
> You can search the entire web by typing in a few words (aka the "just
> punch it up on the computer" school of information retrieval.)
> 
> Searching the web for information doesn't require any thought, nor does
> evaluating the information you retrieve.
> 
> You can make the web safe for kids by using filtering software.
> 
> The web makes libraries (or at least books) obsolete.
> 
> 
> 
> Anti-web
> The web is nothing but pornography.
> 
> The web is full of credit-card and other scams.
> 
> If you use the web, people can gather information about you.
> 
> You need to be a computer genius to use the web.
> 
> The web is nothing but advertisements for big corporations.
> 
> The web is a government (or corporate) conspiracy.
> 
> The web is populated entirely by crackpots, extremists, deviants, and
> children.
> 
> Every time you try to use the web, nothing works.
> 
> The web is turning us into a bunch of drooling illiterates.
> 
> The is no information of any real value on the web.
> 
> The web has no place in any library.
> 
> 
>