We Are The Machine

The video “The Machine is Us/ing Us” by Michael Wesch, makes a point of how the web is created by us.  In the video his first main point is that we have put many different kinds of text into the web to create shortcuts.  The shortcuts are located in the web but they were originally created by us.  Wesch explains the specifics of the text associated with using the web, from HTML to hyper links to short cut symbols, such as <p> and <b> that stand for paragraph and bold.  He goes on to say that the text in the web is the best way to share information and he proves his point with many examples.  Wesch shows the use of quickly deleting text and copying text indirectly and claims that digital text can do more than we know.  Digital text is more flexible and movable.  In the last section of the video, the specifics that Wesch talks about are summarized into a main point.  Overall the main point is that we created the machine, we are teaching the machine and we are the machine.  Wesch believes that every time we tag and post pictures, create a link and use the web we are teaching the machine.

I agree with Wesch on his idea that we are the machine.  This not only applies to the web but other devices as well.  Man created every machine we use, the web, cell phones, and I-pods.  We also created tractors, cars and, bulldozers.  Even though we created these machines, how can we be machines?  Or, are the machines part of us?  We are not literately a machine but we are the creators and part of the machine.  A machine can only be used by us, programmed by us and taught by us.  When we link, chat to people and research people online we are controlling the computer, we are the computer.  The machine cannot function without a human being.

I think that the title of the video is very important.  Does it say “The Machine is Us”, or does it say “The Machine is Using Us”?  I look at the title as saying “The Machine is Us”.  The machine cannot use us because it does not have a mind of its own.  It is not possible that a man-made object can rule over man.  We control what can be put on the web whether it is a video, essay or blog, but a blog cannot control us.  The Web 2.0 world is displaying more and more information created by humans.  If we keep advancing in the Web 2.0 world will there be a Web 3.0 world?  What would the new web world look like?  When that point comes in the future will we still be a part of the web; will the web still be a part of us?