xavier_institute | 1st Dragon ~ Video

My dear fellow students and esteemed staff members, can you possibly imagine what it's like to finally have the wealth of the entire internet to explore, after only every having access to what you could call the abbreviated version?

[Well, that is certainly a way of introducing yourself. Luvander is straddling a chair, draped over the backrest, and he's grinning expansively at the camera. The accents suggests eastern Europe, and the elaborate top hat on his head suggests that he's confused about what century it is.]

And if you didn't answer 'terrifying' to that question after some careful consideration, I honestly fear for your sanity. From what I've surmised so far, about two thirds of anything that isn't porn seems to consist of people religiously recording their pets, and that's the least alarming part. Oh, and bear in mind now that I am disregarding the instances where people apparently combine the porn with the pets.

[Luvander, do you have a point there? At all?]

The point- [Ah, there it is.] -is that I honestly have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing here. You could say that I am somewhat of a novice when it comes to social media, if you will. Twitter appears inane, Facebook seems to be a very polite way of stalking your loved ones, Tumblr scares me, and whatever that Reddit place is supposed to be, I can honestly say that I really don't want to know.

[For someone who doesn't understand what he's doing, he certainly seems to have a lot to say about it, at least.] So for now, I am limiting myself to the school network, in hopes that if I embarrass myself in some hideous fashion here, that is a completely ordinary occurrence in American high schools... at least if I'm to believe the movies.

Oh, and I suppose the lot of you can give me some tips? I have unlimited Google at my disposal and I feel I haven't been quite traumatized enough yet, so why don't you hit me with the best you've got?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[For all the pointless dumbness he's encountered so far, he can definitely see what she means - and why his home land's government had considered unlimited access to the internet such a risk.]

It's a terribly dangerous thing, is it not? This vast wealth of information and ideas; the ability to pick your own brand of ignorance or even occasionally manage to lessen it somewhat? [He waves a hand thoughtfully.] There has always been ways for knowledge to slip past those who want to keep a firm hold on it, but nowadays it must be like trying to catch water in a net.

Edited 2014-11-12 14:38 (UTC)

I wouldn't say that quite. With the overwhelming amount of information available it's harder to say what's valid and what isn't. The ignorant without effort will still stay ignorant. If anything the internet is best for a globalized culture, but that doesn't really say much.

I guess in a way it's it's own society, like I said before.

The more dangerous thing is the fact people will believe just about anything. I bet I could start a rumor that by the end of the week everyone claimed was true and factual.

I think I see what you mean, yes. [And he looks even more fascinated, really, because she basically just told him that the internet is the biggest, most comprehensive rumor mill there is, and the boy really loves his gossip.]

So I suppose you could see that both the greatest value and the greatest flaw is that you strictly speaking need no verification or proof for your claims. On one hand, that is a great tool for those who might have right on their side but not the tools or the freedom to do more than spread the word. But on the other hand, in the hands of those who prefer people to stay ignorant, it's the safest way of getting propaganda across without being questioned.

I would say if one knew how to utilize the tools before them they could do a lot, but it's the same for both sides. It's the same for any mass media really. In fact, there are whole sections of PR companies that deal only with the internet and social media. That says a lot about that.

But the loudest information is always going to be the easiest to find, true or not. So you have a point there. But people are a bit foolish to not question anything. But then, that explains a lot about current affairs, doesn't it?

[It was obvious she had low opinions of the things currently happening around them all.]

Oh yes. People are notably swayed by the most basic of impulses, after all. Fear, hatred, sex, salted crackers. The truth in only ever interesting if it appeals to any or all of most sensationalist organs.

[He sighs theatrically, but his eyes nonetheless look bright with interest. The world is a lot more complicated out here, and Luvander is pretty sure that makes it a lot more intriguing.]

I suppose all you can really do is play along and do it better, then. If you have them by the sentimentality, their hearts and minds will follow - or did I maybe misquote that?

It's more or less the right idea. If you understand people, you can make anything happen.