Lecture 2

'New News'


Week 2 of my love affair lay the foundations of my University 'knowledge bank'. We were introduced to the concept of 'new media' and shown the differences between Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and the revolutionary Web 3.0.  The features of each edition showed the evolution of the media, including the success of the Web and the major focus of each stage.


Web 1.0 - The First Real Boyfriend
The birth of the internet and general media was a fairly simple system.  As a very advertising friendly platform, Web 1.0 (the information web) focuses mainly on serving companies and providing information to all users when required.  HowStuffWorks defines Web 1.0 in three ways:

• Web 1.0 sites are static.
• Web 1.0 sites aren't interactive.
• Web 1.0 applications aren't proprietary.

Put simply, Web 1.0 can be liked to the awkward first relationship. You learn from this relationship, you understand the what makes a relationship and the basics of the dynamic. HowStuffWorks explains that "they contain information that might be useful, but there's no reason for a visitor to return to the site [partner] later." Web 1.0 is kind, and generous, and wants to make you happy, but at the end of the day, you may decide that you need something more complicated, something with dimension, something powerful, and if you're honest with yourself, you're just not the same person you were when you met Web 1.0 in the beginning.


Web 2.0 - The First Heartbreak
After parting with Web 1.0 as friends and promising to call, a friend-of-a-friend introduces you to the new resident in town. They're modern, and exciting, and have experience beyond their years; they claim to have friends all over the world and are quite the social butterfly - it's love at first sight. Web 2.0, the social web, can be seen in the introduction of networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MSN, Skype, tumblr, Flikr, Instagram, and YouTube. Webopedia states that "Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online." Web 2.0 is attractive, is friends with everyone, and always keeps you entertained; but slowly, eventually, it begins to put a strain on the relationship.  Suddenly, Web 2.0 is everywhere and spending time with everyone and it grows gradually harder to see Web 2.0 as much as you'd like to. It was a beautiful relationship, and you learned how to interact and open up to others, but you just don't feel as though you're getting enough attention. Heartbroken, but with mutual understanding, you decide to move on to something better.


(Axel Burn's lecture "Anyone Can Edit: From Users to Prod-Users" can be found here.)


Web 3.0 - True Love
Web 2.0 was an amazing experience, and you will continue to use the lessons you learnt from your relationship in day-to-day activities and social interactions.  It is not long afterwards, however, that you catch wind of the latest heart-throb - Web 3.0.  Web 3.0 is known as the Semantic Web - it makes sense of information and focuses on the individuals rather than the masses. This is what you have been waiting for! With Web 3.0, you are guaranteed one-on-one time and all the attention you could ever ask for. This is true love, this is revolutionary, this relationship will go down in history! Web 3.0 is tailored to your very needs, pays attention to your likes and dislikes - your most viewed websites, or your favourite searches. Web 3.0 asks to be altered, to grow, to be shared - your new love is evident in your brand new smart phone, iPad, or website application.  Everything is your way and besides a degree of ignorance and lack of general knowledge, you find it difficult to fault Web 3.0. They are your future.

The evolution of modern media certainly is an interesting story, and poses many questions regarding the future of journalism - with the introduction of Web 3.0 and newspaper pay walls, journalists may struggle to gain funding for big investigative pieces and additional research outlets.  Only time will tell.

DISCLAIMER: If readers find romantic attraction developing towards the World Wide Web, please seek psychological assistance. It isn't healthy.