By Jill Soley
When the Internet began, it was a tool for scientists and researchers,
driven by the need for communication. After the discovery of the Internet
by business, all that changed. Innovation online is mostly about business
models and making money. Most online content exists for the purpose
of drawing viewers to sell something, bring in subscriptions, or raise
advertising dollars. Amidst all that, there are a few people and organizations
with larger goals of experimenting, innovating, and creating meaningful
content.
WebLab (www.weblab.org), a self-described
"think-tank" for innovation on the Web, develops and supports
projects that develop the potential of the Internet "to bring
people together to explore both personal and public issues in powerful,
transforming ways." Through its Web Development Fund, Weblab,
has enabled the existence of a variety of innovative sites. American
Love Stories examines issues of racial, religious and other difference
in relationships through personal stories and dialogues. Need.com
conducts market research for panhandlers and in the process forces
viewers to question their own assumptions and responses. VAGUEpolitix,
provides a satirical view of politics and popular culture.
The most interesting aspect of WebLab's model is its dialogues. WebLab
uses provocative content, relevant social, political, and personal
issues and personal stories to elicit online discussions. They began
with unwieldy open online discussions which saw some interesting results
in that people began to share in meaningful dialogues with complete
strangers and learn through the process. Since then WebLab has been
refining its model and now hosts smaller group dialogues with limited
numbers of people and specified time commitments.
For someone who hates "chat," I like WebLab's discussions.
They periodically include some interesting revelations and meaningful
exchanges. But, would I engage in one of those dialogues? Probably
not. What I enjoy about these dialogues is that they create a kind
of online documentary or interactive quilt that provides insight into
our culture and our lives. These projects are similar to documentary
film. Though there will probably never be a large audience for this
type of content, it plays an important role in examining our culture
and providing stories that allow people to see the world from different
perspectives.
I would like to see more experimentation with other kinds of interactivity
and user based content creation. Perhaps future projects might be
real user-created multimedia documentaries, which will evolve over
time as more and more individuals respond to the content.
WebLab's next project "Crossover", is funded by the Rockefeller
Foundation, and promises the exploration of new ways "to engage
people as active participants in a variety of immersive environments"
using broadband technology. I await the results.