Overview
(1.Well-meaning people, if given anonymity in a large crowd, often take things too far on the internet, even if they would never go to such lengths in the real world. Do you think the internet has a separate set of morals? Are there some things that are morally acceptable online but not in person? How has increased anonymity allowed our morals to shift?(I thought of this question in response to the article about Justine Sacco and how people piled on to her public shaming on Twitter. People often do things online that they would never do in person, so I am just wondering if the internet is governed by a separate moral code. This often gets dicey when you think about the legal system and punishment for cyberbullying and other actions online.)
2.Today, is it considered morally acceptable to shut your phone off with no warning to your friends and family? Do you have a responsibility to others by keeping your phone charged? How has the internet changed our everyday rituals and responsibilities to each other? (I thought of this question in response to part of Carr’s chapter where he says: “The use of cellphones has changed our expectations of when and where people are – and should be – available to be contacted and hold a conversation. Anyone who’s ever been in trouble for not picking up their phone or induced panic in someone else for shutting it off for a spell (even when they’re not at home) knows about this.” If you’ve ever felt the urge to restrict your phone usage to preserve battery life or frantically tried to find a place to charge your phone so you can stay in contact with people, you’ve experienced the life-altering effects of internet ethics. I know I have experienced this, and I’m wondering how our lives will continue to change with the advent of new technology.
3.Does social media and the internet give us a false sense of community whereas in the past a community required more interpersonal communication? Background: We live in an age with online forums and Facebook groups for everything. These groups give many a sense of community, whereas a community in the past required actual face to face conversation and required those involved to be present in person. This is no longer the case. My question to everyone is have we lost the true understanding of what a community is giving us a false sense of it, or has the modern definition of community evolved into something different. Do you think this makes us happier and connected to others, or does it make us actually more lonely?