“It Takes a Village to Find a Phone” is about a person who was able to get back her stolen phone with the help of social networking sites. The victim’s friend was able to find out who stole the phone, then after asking for the phone back and the person who stole it refusing, he put up the story on his site which eventually spread after friends were “sharing” the story; he even went to the police with the information and they said it was lost and not stolen property. He updated his page every time he had new information until eventually the police decided to get involved after the story was growing in popularity. Eventually his friend got her phone back and the person who stole it was let off because there were no charges pressed.
The author in this reading goes on to raise important questions: the reading talks about how because of social media and the web we are able to share information fast and get a local story out globally for a “good” cause; however, how are we able to determine what a “good” cause is? This particular story about someone who lost their phone, and once found was unable to get it back grew so much attention because people felt the morals and ethics of the person who stole the phone were lacking.
Can you think of other examples of how sharing stories online has either helped or possibly hurt a situation?
What is interesting in this reading is how the “village” from the title is elaborated in the text. The fascinating expansion and transition of the term village and what it means. By creating a webpage Evan gathered people from everywhere and made a community that responded to the issue presented. Not only have people become involved, but media as well. Many articles were written about this story, because it fascinated people how much of an impact Evan’s Website had.
Since our projects are being made, how do you as the maker of your website plan to create your own “village”, attract and connect people?
(Below: the picture of the abbreviated website that Evan created for Ivanna’s stolen Sidekick).
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Towards the end of the article, the author mentions how Evan slowly started losing control over the content. People would post racy comments, or insult the girl that stole the phone in another way that is not connected to her stealing the phone.
How would you assume control over what is posted on your site? Is it even possible to have control in such a wide public space platform as is the Web?
Gina&Tina
