According to Sunstein the internet is detrimental to the future of our democracy and preventing us to hear different viewpoints. Personally, I think that websites like convinceme.net and onlinedebate.net, show that people are interested in hearing other peoples points of view. Although the internet makes it easier for people of like-minds to come together, it also makes it easier for people of different views and opinions to hear outside views as well.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Online Democracy?
This week I showed the class two websites that allows its users to participate in their very own online debates. The website convinceme.net has three basic debating sections, entitled Open, Battle, and King of the Hill. Each of these sections allow its users to give their arguments for every topic up for a debate including, Gay Marriage and even "Is the Easter bunny real?". Viewers of the website then have a chance to vote on who they think won the argument, by giving them a point. The second website I showed was called onlinedebate.net. This website seems to be less used by serious online debaters. The website allows one user to post a debate and then anyone who wants to argue it can post in the arguments thread. Therefore, fifty different people can be involved in the debate.
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The debate website you showed was very interesting. I never knew there were such websites..I agree with your point about why would people want to debate with total strangers? I guess if you feel strong enough on an issue it could become important to want others to feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of the debate team here at school, I indeed share your point of view that debate only enhances democracy - and if the media is facilitating debate, than the media has a hand in facilitating democracy. Obviously Sunstein brings up valid issues in his piece, but I think the Internet is a net plus to democracy, because it streamlines information and connects people worldwide.
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