Benkler

1. Benkler brings up several points as to how social networked sphere portrays a positive development for democratic communication. One point he mentions involves technology enabling people to be more creative in the workplace. (p. 9) Not only does Internet provide creativity, but it allows individua'ls autonomy to be expressed. Benkler states, ".. the diversity of perspectives on the way the world is and the way it could be for any given individual is qualitatively increased." (Benkler p. 9) This, in part, is due to individual's autonomy coming together on what we call Internet. Another point Benkler brings up includes free internet access to poor and middle-income countries. This way unfortunate countries are able to stay connected with the world around them and benefit from its advantages. For example, improving food security by developing healthy crops with help from the free internet connection.

2. A great social network I found online is CollegeBlender. It was launched November 24, 2009 to enable college students, alumni and faculty to communicate/blog to one another across the country. It's a brilliant invention because it gives anyone who was associated with a particular university a chance to hear the latest events happening on campus (current students), it gives the faculty a chance to form better relationships with their students, and finally; it updates alumni on their college through current students' and faculties' perspective.

3. This summer I traveled to the Dominican Republic for volunteer work. I met some of the greatest people I will ever meet in my entire life. There were about twenty-five girls on my volunteer team and before we went on our adventure; someone from the volunteer program made a Facebook group for us in order to communicate. I thought it was a great idea because communicating via Internet is a lot less intimidating than face-to-face conversation. Also, the first day we all met one another it was less awkward due to that Facebook group.