What is My Role on the Internet?
Our Contributions to the Web and Domain of One’s Own
There are lots of different aspects of the internet, as well as different roles that are simultaneously and continuously played by everyone. However, who I am on the web? What roles do I play? As I’ve endured the journey into my Digital Studies 101 class, I’ve come to know tons of different aspects to the internet, and why they’re all important. For example, I’ve learned how crucial it is to have access to the “openness” of the internet, as well as accessibility. That being said, many individuals like myself take advantage of these – as consumers of curiosity, I’d imagine. To illustrate, when “surfing the web” to find the answers to our desperate questions: “Why does…” “How do…” “What is…” etc., being a questioning persona that has Google at their fingertips was my main answer when reflecting on the question, “Who am I on the web?”. However, after deeply considering the question further, I found that my role is much more meaningful, even more so now that I have access to Domain of One’s Own. For example, a large majority of us post thoughts or portrayals of our lives through the internet – think Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), TikTok, even Reddit. These small pieces of information feed the internet to grow and expand further than it was a half-second ago, even your favorite memes help construct the internet. Furthermore, whenever “liking” or “sharing” other’s additions to the internet, you’re also helping shape the internet. This also takes place in checking up on your favorite websites – like Reddit or YouTube! What may seem like a small, insignificant “click” on your part, actually plays a monumental role in deeply articulating what the internet is composed of. With that being said, having access to Domain of One’s Own (thanks to UMW and my professor/DGST101 class) I can now continue my normal role as a, “consumer of curiosity” on my own unique platform and digital profile that is unapologetically myself – allowing me to further expand the internet in a creative, and architectural way! You can learn more about Domain of One’s Own, or DoOO on the Indie Web Camp website.
Therefore, on the web, we are not only “curious consumers”, but we also methodically shape and compose the internet’s elements, by clicking on our favorite websites, sharing our favorite memes, trends and thoughts – much like this page, which leads me to my next topic.
Why “Summer’s thoughts?”
Reflecting on the Name of My Domain – And How It Shows Who I Am on the Web
When choosing a domain name for my platform, I took a lot of my aforementioned information into consideration. Who am I on the web, and what am I contributing? Of course, much of the internet is fishing between fact and fiction. Which ironically, was the main topic of last week’s unit in my DGST 101 course. That being said, I wished to be more upfront and clear in this consideration. Thus, “Summer’s Thoughts” came to mind as a proper domain name. Much of my platform (I’m sure) will be my perspective and take on a variety of topics, which can and will contain facts (as the addition of outside sources always makes for a better read for both my educational instructors, and otherwise). However, much like this post, it may contain a lot of my personal opinions and outlook – or as some would call it, my thoughts. Thus, the title of this page is aptly called: “Summer’s DGST101 Thoughts”.