Web 2.0: Difficult interactions,Happiness or Hype?

Web 2.0 has provided for a kind of interaction that comes with ease and fun. However, this ease is dependent on internet access and hardware support, which still seems elsusive in many countries and even more elsusive in certain groups such as those who are disabled and older.But this has been a case, historically.It will be unfair to give any final verdict about how and what form can Web 2.0 may take to help and suport these groups.Few things take time.It took several decades for the trians to be accepted as a mode of public transport.Trains were initially used only to transport material but later it was adapted to transfer humans.Plane invetors were termed as insane when they first thought of flying.Gas took decades to be accepted as domestic fuel.And so on.In all these examples the key is the adaptability of the technology, which Web 2.0 may also experience to cater to those who are excluded from its benefits and usage.

Web 2.0 appears to be more polular amongt the rban outh.But I am hopeful that it is means to an end and not an end itself.It has the potenial to take new forms to address all groups including the disabled and the old.

Almost all technologies are lanuched and then are adapted in to new forms and usages for new set of people.Web 2.0 is devloped for specific people in a specific location with certain requirements such internet access, language skills and so on.This is done by one set of professionals.But often there are new set of professinls who specilize in adapting the existing technologies for people who are unable to use the existing technology in its original form.This has happened many times;screen reader followed internet and personal computer,motorized wheelchairs followed motorized carts,braille came to kill the dependency of seeing to read and so did the software called JAWS which visully challenenged people use to read the computer text

I therefore will remain hopeful of Web 2.0 becoming more enbled for the excluded groups.With screens readers and audio technology, and the ease of use, cetainly older people and visually impaired are already not feeling hesitant to use web 2.0.It is only a matter of time when web 2.0 will adapted for all. The growing popularity and research interets in the field will lead to more development for the inclusion in the new technology.

Lets be 2.0 Hopefuls!!

Creativity expo in Ohio University

This was truly a space to ponder over! Students were presenting their ideas at the desk while food was served on adjoining desks.. Brawl and brain within few yards!

Students were presenting their project-ideas while visitors including the professors, were conversing and evaluating the projects.Project-ideas and presentation ranged from academic research on Media-representation of women to more methodology and grassroots work such as Micro-finance project with Kenya's rural communities, to amendments relating to the role of the American Vice-President.Yet another set of presentations were on research methodologies and study of informal education in African countries.

But one project that interested me most was the one called "dancing in silence".This is the project that uses performing arts to work with deaf.Dancing is used as a way of expression.music is inherently being used with dancing and bith seems to imbedded in to each.but this is the conventional form.The uniiquesness of the project is the the new way of looking at a form and creatinga content that will be helpful for those who marginlaized in regard to the performing arts.Projects trains and performs with deaf pwople, who dance "in silance" meaning without ant bachground music.

This was fascinating and I think such endeavors are not only novel but also contain in them a strong sense of purpose, which is one the key things but is often seen missing in the academia.It was a relief to see a student seeing the unseen, the marginalized people and using the a popular form with available resourses to help them perform the new roles of lives!

In the midst of life: My Portfolio

This is my work with spaces and people in rural and urban India.It includes my encounters with different cultures, development sites and issues offering immense challenges with which I navigated life.

Gaza In American Heart

This podcast is a small dedication to the spirit of people of Gaza through the words of an American singer,Michael Heart and through the lived experiences of an American farmer, Art Gish and his wife,Peggy, who went "out there" to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people in pain of conflict,war,greed and injustice..

Together they stand and together they fight.. And together they Shall Never Go Down! I hope we stand with them too..