Chapter: Fahrenheit 451.2: Is Cyberspace Burning?

Quote:

The preliminary information available on the internet has several important components that distinguish it from all the ratings systems discussed above. It is created and provided by the speaker. It helps the user decide whether to read any further. It does not result in the automatic blocking of speech by an entity other than the speaker or reader before the speech has ever been viewed. Thus, the very nature of the internet reveals why more speech is always a better solution than censorship for dealing with speech that someone may find objectionable. It is not too late for the internet community to slowly and carefully examine these proposals and to reject those that will transform the internet from a true marketplace of ideas into just another mainstream. Lifeless medium with content no more exciting or diverse that of television.

What I expect to learn:

To be aware if the cyberspace is truly, but not literally, burning

Review:

Yes, it is but the question is with what?

True, the cyberspace or as what I would like to call it, the world of the great internet is really burning because of all the contents being present for everyone’s eyes to see. I know it is a great source of massive information about EVERYTHING but is it really necessary to put up websites that encourage people to commit an actual sin? Hey, I won’t sit here and try to elaborate on what I am saying or give details to what sites i am talking about but I will try to explain why I am absolutely into the fact that people, particularly parents, should activate their blocking or filtering software on because of all the dirty websites crawling around the internet for their children to see which is not at all pretty – believe me.

What I learned:

·         cyberspace burning

·         Free speech online: a victory under siege

·         Rethinking the rush to rate

·         Recommendations and principles

·         Six reasons why self-rating schemes are wrong for internet

·         third-party rating

·         The problems with user-based blocking software at home

·         Blocking software should not be used by public libraries

·         Internet rating systems

Integrative Questions:

1.    Why is cyberspace burning?

2.    Is there a point to rethink the rush to rate?

3.    Enumerate and define the six reasons why self-rating is wrong in the internet.

4.    What is third-party rating?

5.    What are the problems with user-based blocking software?