For some reason, when I was reading this article, I began to think about our very first discussion on blackboard regarding "The Internet as a Metaphor". I noticed distinct parts in this article that validated the arguments for the internet as a tool, as a space, and as a way of life. I realized that each new discussion topic can relate back to that particular debate. I think that my way of understanding the original article that we discussed has grown and evolved as we have discovered the many different ways that people use the internet, whether it be for acceptance, to find love, or express one's feelings on political issues.
In one of the posts that I wrote on the discussion board, "The internet is definitely a tool that I use every day to connect with my friends, to communicate via email, and to store important documents." I think that Zeke absolutely used the internet for all of these purposes, and this "tool" was very important in allowing him to accomplish all the things that he was able to accomplish. The internet is much more than a simple tool, but it is the basic functions that the technology allows us to do that aid in everyday life. Zeke was able to complete "95% of his research online". He explained that he used the internet to find the facts and become an informed citizen.
The quote within this article that actually sparked this connection between The Radicalization of Zeke and The Internet as a Metaphor was "Even though the internet was developed by an agency of the Department of Defense, it was adopted early on by members of the counterculture who saw it as an excellent way to connect people with similar beliefs who were separated by time and space". This quote describes how a group of people took a simple tool and used it to establish an easily accessible space. The debate seems to be about whether or not the internet, takes away from face to face experiences. I think that rather than taking away from this interaction, instead it offers the ability to interact where it wouldn't otherwise be possible. It is important to note that Zeke used the internet to organize face to face meetings as well.
It is obvious from the article that the more Zeke learned, the more passionate he became about this issues within this country. This passion turned into a way of life for him. I think that a large part of this passion was made possible by the internet, in a way bringing together each metaphor and making them work as one collective unit.
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Jill, its really cool you made that connection, and I agree with you. I definitely see the transition into the different stages. At first Zeke used the internet as a tool to gather knowledge. He then used it as a space where he could make an impact, such as organizing meetings and voicing his opinions. Finally use of the internet became a way of life, in that it would have been near impossible to accomplish everything he had done without the internet. He used the internet in his efforts so regularly that it actually became a way of life. Great post!
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