....through my thoughts...through my eyes...

Web 2.0 has a large amount of possibilities for myself, other women around the world and people in general. It is a platform that truly helps to spread the word.

There are many things that excite me about Web 2.0. The first being the fact that it integrates so many different forms of media – print, audio, video; it is multimedia. As a result, stories can have so many different elements working together to truly make it come alive. Another aspect of Web 2.0 that motivates me is that it crosses so many boundaries: geographical, physical and cultural. I can learn about women, people, and their lives across the world without having to physically leave Guyana; the same goes for them. In addition to the above, information is almost instantaneous in delivery: something happens today in my country and I can share it almost immediately with people around the world.

In the past, women were seen as inferior to men; they are to be protected, cossetted and ruled. Through traditional views such as this, women have been at a disadvantage and many times we tend to forget that we have voices. We have grand ideas, many solutions to offer but mainstream media do not seem to think them important enough to pay attention to or they are so dominated by an existing stereotype that change is not welcome. Through the use of Web 2.0, women have a new platform to utilize, to let their voices be heard, to take their ideas and knowledge and share them with the world, to help better society. Traditionally, women are seen as teachers in the home and in the classroom; Web 2.0 is an exciting, beautiful platform that can help us to expand our families and classrooms to span the world.

Personally, when I see a story or some bit of information that was shared and I know I was integral to the creation of that content I feel like I have done something worthwhile; I feel like I am contributing to making the world a better place. Do not get me wrong, there are many things that I agree with that are in existence but change is necessary as society is dynamic, not stagnant. As a lecturer, knowing that the knowledge I have to share has an avenue (in so many different, creative ways) and might positively impact the life of at least one individual makes me feel like my life has a purpose. I would also be able to learn so much, to gain more knowledge from others and, I do agree, knowledge = (em)power(ment).

I always had an interest in photography and videography. The internet has provided me with the perfect platform where I can one day fulfil a dream of mine: create a website that documents the oral histories of the elders in Guyana and share them with the world. Oh the possibilities of the world wide web…