Michael Wesch, "The Machine is Us/ing Us"
Michael Wesch is a cultural anthropologist at Kansas State University whose work explores contemporary digital culture. His YouTube video "The Machine is Us/ing Us" is an excellent starting point for our course.
"The Machine is Us/ing Us," by Michael Wesch
Working in groups, you will be responsible for starting a discussion of at least one part of Wesch's video. Wesch has conveniently broken the video into six semi-discrete sections.
Main Parts of the Wesch Video
- Part One (0-45 sec) - This opening section introduces some differences between print and web literacy/writing.
- Part Two (45-1:30) - This section builds on Part One by introducing us to HTML and structural markup.
- Part Three (1:30-2:15) - This section brings XML into the piture, and things really get moving.
- Part Four (2:15-3:05) - What is this section about?
- Part Five (3:05-3:45) - This section enables us to think about the power of a database-driven web.
- Part Six (3:45-4:30) - Hmm. Another section to get you thinking.
Your Assignment
Share with the class your perspective on the issues Wesch addresses in the part(s) of the video for which you bear primary responsibility. We'll work together, but see yourself as getting us started on the discussion.
- You might begin by looking at some keywords or key tools you see in the video. Look them up if you don't know what they are.
- You might want to connect your own experience with the web to what Wesch explores.
- You might want to be a little critical about some part of the material in the video.
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