If you were to ask me, "Will, do you feel the web is changing the way people think?" I'll say, "You betcha!" and for a variety of reasons. The internet isn't just a global system of interconnected computer networks that uses code and protocol to serve many users worldwide, rather it's a world within our own.The web changes the way we think because humans feel they are only exposed to and can acquire a certain amount of information without the need of a computer. Even with advances in televisions, in this day and age, the web is a powerful tool in crafting ideologies and persuading people to believe one thing or the other. Blogs, Wikipedia, and YouTube are some reasons for this effect:
Blogs are a common way for people to publish their own thoughts to provoke interaction and possibly discussion between the visitors of it. Even Blogger is a perfect example of one. The big way that blogs can change the way people think is because they may have an individual that is attempting to persuade their readers to agree with their subjective views on things. For example, a political blog that endorses the Democratic and Republican party may only express their own views in hopes to persuade people to endorse those same views. This can be an effective way for web to change the way we think because other media like television can only have a lasting effect for so long.
Wikipedia and YouTube are other websites that are big on changing the way people think. Wikipedia can be an excellent source of information when that information is correct, but since the site gives users the ability to edit content, then information can often end up misleading others because many people assume that Wikipedia's content is 100% truth. YouTube is a video-sharing site that can also change the way people think. And not only do the user-posted videos have this effect, but the comments that are shared between people also do as well. For example, if Random posts a video critiquing the need for NFL to extend its seasons by two games, they may very well present some good points and analysis. Further, users may agree or disagree with Random's arguments, but now that they have been affected by the video, their thoughts on the NFL might change and they may view the sport differently.
See what I mean?
When a tool as powerful as the web is relied upon by SO many people, it undoubtedly has an effect on the way they think. The internet's attraction is like the pull created by the Earth's magnetic force; we don't always notice its effect.... BUT we know it's there. My closing thoughts on the topic of discussion is that people need to challenge themselves to see if they can not depend on the internet as much and see if they notice in the way they perceive things. I wonder what would happen if life went back to the days when the web didn't exist. Things would be a LOT tougher for folks. With billions of people addicted to the web today, I'm surprised everyone's not running around screaming, "Help! The Internet's Got Me & Won't Let Me Go!" like they were stuck in a bad dream or something.
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Honorable mentions: Sites like Facebook, Myspace, etc. These social networking places allow for many ideologies to be formed since people are able to represent themselves in their own fashion. For example, John Doe might post a status or headline talking about Earth Day. The awareness that Doe creates from this status may make people think twice about doing environmentally harmful things like littering. This can even subconciously change the way people think.
Vannevar Bush wrote in his article "As We May Think" that "Man profits by his inheritence of acquired knowledge." Your blog also elluded to this concept as you describe how there are a multitude of sites where people present ideas, knowledge, opinions, beliefs etc. in the hopes of spurring debate, "crafting ideologies" or even possibly persuading others to change their attitudes. I think that the internet has allowed people to expand their ability to obtain information from all over the world and about all manner of things, which is a great thing. Unfortunately, alot of us are addicted to the social networking aspect of the internet rather than idea of exploring sites for new knowledge.
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