Monday, August 25, 2008

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 2

What does Wurster see as the primary benefits of social-networking sites? Do you agree or disagree with any of them? Why?

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Wurster believes the social-networking sites have provided "a new medium that for many users means instant communication, expanded sights and knowledge, and, paradoxically, increased experience of the real word".
Online social-networking, from my experience, is not necessary to anyone. A student, a teacher, or a parent would enjoy spending leisure time on meeting old friends and talking about current issues, including politics and gossips. However, it is supernumerary. The sites are beneficial, but not obligatory. Looking at how much time students spend online, these sites are harmful to students' performances, no matter how the sites connect friends.

Unknown said...

Social-networking sites allow one to maintain a relationship and interact with new people as Wurster mentions; however it does not increase the experience of the real world as Wurster states.
In the article “Wont You Be My Friendster?” Wurster says in paragraph four “Our friendships started with shared tastes in music but have expanded to take in the very different circumstances of our lives. Such exposure doesn’t happen for every participant, but when it does it lowers the barriers of distance, culture, and physical appearance that cause so many problems in the world.”
Wurster shows through these sentences that sharing ones interests with others lowers barriers allowing one to experience the real world; however exposing such interests puts ones identity in danger. Since these networking sites are places where one can hide his or her identity, one who is sharing personal facts is at risks. Because such personal exposure may not be true, it does not allow one to experience the real world but a world that seems to be real.

Young Eui Hong said...

One of the main benefits of social-networking sites for Wurster is meeting new people. In the social-network, one's personal information is revealed to the rest of the people. Similar taste in music may create a new friendship or making a new friend can be as simple as being from the same network. Secondly, the author believes social-networking sites can facilitate being in contact with distant friends. When a friend moves outside of the country, a social-network site grants access to recent pictures and activities for the distant friends. I agree with the author that these two are the major benefits and also the only positive use of social-networking sites. Keeping in contact with distant friends is very hard. However, these sites allow people to stay connected to each other and not waste a friendship.

Da-Re Kim said...

The benefits Wurster believes the social-networking sites have given are long-distance communication opportunities and the sites have a lot of diversity. The social-networking sites also give real world experiences like interacting with new people from all over the world. I agree with Wurster that these sites are very beneficial. With my own experience, I have been able to know people all around the world and learn about their cultures. Through these sites people also do programs that help homeless kids. These sites do not only bring people together, but also help the world.