Remediation- pros and cons of the WWW

There seem to be many more apparent strengths than weaknesses when it comes to the web as a communicating tool. In fact, at first glance, there seem to be almost no weaknesses at all. Perhaps this is because the web has become almost everyone's primary tool of contact...whether its an IM, e-mail, MySpace page, or text message, which is essentially an e-mail. The most obvious strength of the web is its speed. An IM or e-mail can reach around the world in seconds. Another strength is the innovation of the web that provides unique methods to communicate. For example...the web cam. It allows parties to speak to one another and see what's happening at the same time. E-mail is a web tool that offers great efficiency. The list serves at the university, for example, get one message out to hundreds or even thousands of people with the click of only one "send" button. There are weaknesses to the web as well. The book discusses the desire for "hypermediacy"- the need to feel "in the moment." The web fulfills this to an extent. But, when it comes to viewing Van Gogh's Starry Night in person, or through a window on the web, there is just no comparison. The web is fast and easy, no doubt , but it can also diminish the personal nuance that one-on-one contact brings to a relationship. Some people fear that children growing up in this tech-time will have diminuitive people skills due to their dependency on the web and faceless communication. Maybe we, generation "y" got lucky...we have seen a bit of both worlds...the value of a handshake and a warm smile, and the quick efficiency of a blog, e-mail, or social network.