Matrix sequel
HW 3: Studying the Internet
Directions: Complete all questions for full credit.
- Read these sources about the reliability and accuracy of Wikipedia and answer the following questions.
– “Reliability of Wikipedia”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia
– “How Accurate is Wikipedia?”: https://www.livescience.com/32950-how-accurate-is-wikipedia.html
1(a): Is Wikipedia accurate and reliable? Why or Why Not?
1b): Since so many people worldwide rely on Wikipedia for learning, how might trusting the site without additional research be a problem?
2.Review the International Immigration Experiment and the comments posted by students at the bottom of the page and answer the following questions (NOTE: This blog was created and completed as part of an international assignment a few years ago by some of my students in Turkey, the Dominican Republic, and the US): http://sunyescimmigrationexperiment.blogspot.com/
2(a): After reviewing at least 2 international students’ posts about immigration, what have you learned about the similarities and differences of students’ perspectives about immigration? (NOTE: Please make sure that you choose students from 2 different countries and use their names in your answer…the more data you collect from these students, the more you are behaving like an mini digital anthropologist!)
2(b): Think about the themes that emerged in the postings on this website. What types of variables (e.g., race) could a digital anthropologist collect from this blog site? What type of questions could be answers by this data set (aka collection of student responses)? (HINT: Think back to the midterm mock project and the types of things an anthropologist would look for to help you answer this question.)
- Critical Thinking Question: You have been asked to pitch a sequel to The Matrix Trilogy that specifically addresses the development of the Internet. Your pitch should be no more than 200 words and specifically imagine a film that speaks to the material nature of the Internet as a network and/or its changing nature in the context of the rise of Google. Then, in 500-1000 words, develop a short analytic essay in which you contextualize *what is significant* about your pitch to what you take to be the most relevant details, arguments, and analysis from our readings, viewings, and lectures about the phenomenon of the Internet and Google. You will not be evaluated for the aesthetic excellence of your cinematic vision (though aesthetic excellence is welcome!) nor for the probability that you have imagined a Hollywood blockbuster (though more power to you if you have!), but rather by how you are able to develop an evidence-based argument that connects *specific aspects* of the materials from class (lectures, readings, viewings) to an articulated and compelling position about the details of your pitch and how and why they speak interpretively to the stakes of social life in an “Internet” and “Googlized” society. (HINT: Make sure that you use data (aka variables) to support the creation of this mock Matrix movie. What data would you use to study the internet as well as Google? How might you depict our reliance on Google and the Internet? What things might you see in this film that reflect a change in human behavior pre- and post the inception of Google? This will require you to do research online, look for scholars who have studied the internet and what methods they used to do this as well as think back to the videos you watched in this section and how scholars used data to analyze the internet. As always, ask me if you have specific questions and be creative!!)
Also here is a link to watch the matrix movies if you have never seen them.
https://www1.putlocker9.cc/?s=the+matrix
(If a tab opens delete that tab and just keep clicking play on the actual movie and it will be begin shortly).
