Web 2.0: Menschenseele in Maschine

Earlier today, my fellow group members and I did this week's OCLS Learn 2.0 together. Fanya, Rita and I watched the Web 2.0 video, and I couldn't help noting the websites that were briefly featured, as they were websites dealing with anthropology. I've just completed my studies for a Bachelor's in Anthropology at Rollins College, so I was curious about the concept of a "digital ethnography" of YouTube, and fascinated with the possibilities of how humanity is creating a new international culture that is internet-based.

Culture 2.0, if you will.

I could continue to muse, theorise and get all po-mo, but instead, I'll talk about the presence of OCLS on MySpace and YouTube. I had known that the Library has been putting up videos and using a MySpace profile, but I hadn't gone online to see the work that's been done to reach out to the online community. I'm pretty impressed, especially at the 171 MySpace friends the Library has. Our group read some of the comments, and it's really intriguing to see the very positive comments the Library's gotten on MySpace from teens.

The other part of the exercise entailed going on to SEOmoz's website and exploring a few websites that gained their Web 2.0 awards. I was already familiar with Pandora, and it truly deserves accolades and more. It's a great way to find out about new music you might like, but not think to look for. We also looked at the website for PEERtrainer, which is a nice way to find like-minded individuals who are trying to live healthier lives, like the one who started the group 20 somethings who need to put down the martini and pick up the weights. Although I personally am normally at the other end of the spectrum, being a purveyor of baked goods, I think a website like this would really help those who need a little bit of motivation to be more active and to eat better. Our group also took a gander at Farecast.com, which is going to definitely get used when I take a trip this year to Seattle. It's another way to find cheap airfare online for domestic flights. They predict the fares and allow you to book online, and they provide refunds if the fares they predict are over the ticket price. The website also tells you when you should wait to buy tickets, and when you should buy now. Here's an example of low airfares coming out of Orlando just to give you an idea.

I also wanted to mention a website that was on the list of SEOmoz's: Etsy. I shop online through Etsy all the time, and I love the idea of supporting crafters and artists who work from home or a small studio, making unique clothes and items that really stand out. Some of my favourite Etsy shops include RunzwithScissors, the little stitch, Katrina Kaye, Kitty Empire, AhPeele and Run Amok. The shops are located all over; recently I ordered a few gifts on Etsy from an online shop all the way in Shanghai.

Okay, I got this through my feed from Fark.com from their "sappy" section: Students raise money for beloved elderly janitor's dream. I confess to getting a little misty after reading this story.

-doreen