Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
•
collective intelligence
- the ability to pool knowledge and compare notes with
others often working towards a common goal;
•
judgement
- the ability to evaluate the reliability and credibility of different
information sources;
•
networking
- the ability to search for, synthesize and disseminate information;
and
•
negotiation
- the ability to travel across diverse communities, discerning and
respecting multiple perspectives, and grasping and following alternative sets of
norms.
Indeed, the number of wikis is continually growing and, like the World Wide Web
more generally, their application and significance has been recognized by many
sustainability educators, political activists and media practitioners, although it does
seem that Wikipedia tends to be dominated by a small class of editors who are not
particularly diverse culturally. Sunstein (2006) also suggests that, unlike blogs, which
tend to be highly personal, often cocooning information, wikis are freer to challenge
assumptions, values and predispositions. In the Net-based global information society,
the overall amount of non-expert knowledge exceeds that of specific experts so long
as the many minds engaged in an issue do not get bogged down in clumsy, irrelevant
and time-consuming deliberation, and when the majority of those engaged feel they
are more right than wrong and are unwilling to compromise or concede a point.
Finally, it is now commonplace to argue that the Web offers an infinite wealth of
possibilities, most of which cannot be known in advance, and some of which will
be undoubtedly be good but others less so. TreeHugger, a 'green CNN', founded
by social entrepreneur Graham Hill, fully utilizes the Web 2.0 platform, offering
articles, vlogs and space for user-generated content on a global range of sustainable
development issues. Striving to be 'a one-stop shop for green news, solutions and
product information', it is structured into a series of 'departments' - design,
technology, business, living, transportation, science, energy, social and slideshows.
TreeHugger also directly encourages interactivity, participation and action, making
considerable use of social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest
and Instagram. Its Stumbleupon channel enables users to quickly explore their own
interests by searching for reports and articles on specific topics. Now part of the
Discovery Communications media empire, Treehugger retains an alternative focus
without being oppositional or particularly radical.
Planetark.com
is a Web-based non-confrontational, not-for-profit environmental
organization established in Australia in 1992 and sponsored by Reuters News Agency.
MediaLens is a UK-based indymedia site offering alternatives to the corporate
owned and shaped news output of traditional media and the activist orientated
PRWatch and CorpWatch maintain a critical scrutiny of big business and corporate
communications. It works in partnership with businesses, local government bodies
and community groups on campaigns that range from ink-cartridge recycling, tree
planting and low carbon construction. It offers photos, videos and newsletters, and
has produced education packs for use in primary schools. There are many other
sites too of varying quality, and which vary in purpose, politics and intent. For some
critics, the generally unregulated nature of the Web produces so much uncorroborated
rubbish that some users will mistake prejudice for knowledge and fiction as fact,
with the sheer multitude of sites, hyperlinks and imagery resulting in a distracted,
