Child pornography in the Internet

Abstract

In this updated 2nd Edition, Dreyfus examines five key aspects to the emergence of the Web. 1) How does hyperlinking affect our sense of understanding? In the days before Google, he had a very pessimistic view, arguing that the Web flattens categorial hierarchies which makes it difficult to infer meaning in information. But since Google, and its algorithm based on page rank, we are seeing an improvement in our ability to use the Web to find relevant information. 2) Distance learning will ultimately be a failure because it cannot provide us with emotionally experienced competence. Learning is an embodied experience; mastery requires it. 3) Telepresence does not re-create a sense of reality. Our sense of reality is fundamentally driven by our embodiment. 4) Nihilism and Commitment: the Web does not require us to have any vulnerability or meaningful stake in its virtual community. Drawing on Kierkegaard's discussion of newspapers, Dreyfus argues that we have no vulnerability, no involuntary commitment to be involved, and therefore no meaning in Web-enable communities. 5) Second Life: he meets virtual students in second life who cannot meet him in person; it would be "folly" to give that up, even though it's a disembodied experience.