Comments on: The digital divide: lots of spectators and not so many spect-ACTORS

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:02:33 +0000

Great to see some responses to this piece. I knew that nifty ransom note I found on google images would capture some attention.

I often think of myself as chatty and that my sincerity and engaging nature (which shines in person) would come across online. I hope people would not feel threatened and rather encouraged to speak up – or post. Of course, I need to be reminded that it is not just about posting in response to what I have written but rather intimidated to post in a public forum at all.

Any ideas about what might lessen this? I am curious to know.

I am also interested if there has been anything in this blog post or any other of them that seemed provocative.

By: Leah

Leah — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:22:46 +0000

Hey folks, something to ponder. As a new civil servant, I have learned that Big Brother is always watching. Not in the way that you are thinking, but in that bureaucrats are constantly scanning the Internet for information to use. We call this environmental scanning. Anything that you write, publish or muse aloud online might be used to make a decision, one that may have reprecussions that you may not be comfortable with. So write carefully, thoughtfully and with purpose…

By: N. H.

N. H. — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:28:46 +0000

So much of our society is based around consumption perhaps lurking is another example of this. I think some of this behaviour may also be attributed to changes in the way people view and share knowledge. In many cultures knowledge is shared orally. Once it is shared in the written form it seemingly takes on a false air of permanence. It reminds me of my school days when writing an idea or a thought would mean I would be judged positively or negatively based on ‘commonly’ held views whether those views were representative of my world view or not.

By: T. R.

T. R. — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:27:37 +0000

It is also important to notice WHO is not speaking and WHY when building community with people from varied backgrounds there may be people who are self censoring, feel out of their depths: a lack of visible response may also mean people take longer to process or have taken their responses to other communities or perhaps view their role as either creating spaces for others to talk or as an observer.

By: B. Z.

B. Z. — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:24:56 +0000

I like this discussion and the point about loss of anonymity with anonymity comes safety and a lack of accountability for view points which may change as new ideas emerge.

By: D.M

D.M — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:28:59 +0000

perhaps that some of these “lurkers” are afraid of losing their anonymity. maybe that should also be addressed on how they can keep their anonymity. now to answer your question, i think if you ask them questions directly that might get more responses. just my ideas.