Chapter 7 Textbook

1.      Comment on Weinberger's analysis of Wikipedia's definition of neutrality - p. 136. Does this definition work for the library profession, say for example in the book banning situation? Why or why not?

I believe that the definition of neutrality does not usually work for the library profession. In the book banning situation, the purpose of it is mostly to protect citizens especially children. Wikipedia is a website that people can freely edit, so when users read it, they are aware of the characteristics and risks. On the other hands, I think patrons trust the books in libraries because they believe libraries should be a responsible place.

I also agree with Jimmy Wales’ comment that an article is neutral when people have stopped changing it. In fact, in the past, some books were banned purposely by government so that they could control information. I think Wales’ point is true, but not necessary work for the library profession.

2.      On p. 143 Weinberger writes "Deciding what to believe is now our burden" as opposed to being "passive knowers" who trust what we read in authoritative resources such as the Encyclopedia Britannica. Use Schedroff's model of Understanding to describe how your knowledge of a particular topic was affected by the new understanding of authority that Weinberger articulates in the last paragraph of the section on Authority and Truth, p. 143. Schedroff's Model of Understanding was first presented in the Module 3 lecture on "The Information Age" and again in the Module 5 lecture on "ASK and Environmental Scanning".

A particular topic for me of the question is about prejudices. Unfortunately, many countries have prejudices and discrimination toward certain races. Based on the information I learned from school and though TV, I gained my knowledge, and I have had a prejudice against North Korea. But when I saw a video on the Internet which showed people smiling and chatting in the city of Pyongyang, I thought I was being prejudiced without having encounters with them. I might have been controlled by authority. It was shocking and affected to me. However, as Weinberger mentioned on the textbook, I think it is true that now it comes from enabling us inescapably fallible creatures to explore the differences among us, which is great.

3.      Comment on the last paragraph of the chapter and incorporate what you have learned about how you learn through the course. Again, relate to Schedroff's model and remember that context is everything. Schedroff's Model of Understanding was first presented in the Module 3 lecture on "The Information Age" and again in the Module 5 lecture on "ASK and Environmental Scanning".

As Weinberger mentions on the textbook, the Internet enables us to have conversations globally to share our knowledge. This is exactly what I have learned in this class. I have also learned a big picture of the Internet world. I had experiences using social media, Wikipedia, or many other websites that was mentioned in this class, but I did not know how they were created, nor the impact have they to the society today. I had being a user who knows how to operate this machine without realizing or appreciating the greatness of it.

Using Schedroff’s Model of Understanding, I had some information and knowledge before taking this class, but through learning in this course, I certainly gained wisdom.