Web Science MSc
I'm applying to do a masters in Web Science, and in my application I have to write a page defining what it is and what research I would like to do, anyone fancy giving it a look over and giving any constructive criticism please. Got to submit it pretty sharpish (by Monday) so quicker the better would be appreciated.
What is Web Science?
When new technologies are designed, it is with a specific purpose in mind, but often they end up being used for things not even imagined by the original innovators. In much the same way Thomas Watson predicted there only being "a world market for five computers" the rise of the web as such an integral part of modern life has come from out of the blue. Orginally designed as a way for scientists to share their reports with each other, the uses of the web in the modern world are almost innumerable; from keeping up with old acquaintances to banking, and in the future we can expect even more unforseen uses.
This is where Web Science really finds its feet, trying to understand how the web will evolve in the future and what the repercussions will be. Some very important questions are beginning to be asked about the web and as of yet not enough research has been done to answer them with any conviction. Should the web be censored? Should we limit how much time is spent on-line? How much does our personality get affected away from the web, do we suffer withdrawal symptoms, is it an addiction? People are being connected with people they never normally would have, is this a good thing? Is the web bringing people closer together or is it making it easier for people with fanatical ideas to converse with wider audiences, making it easier to spread their hatred and ideals? Should companies be forced to remove personal data or have strict rules about privacy to reduce identity theft? How should the web evolve to combat cyber crime? Is file sharing really hurting the music and film industries and should those who do file share have their details given to the companies affected?
This is only one side of Web Science, it also incorporates web technology, what infrastructure is needed to support the ever expanding use to the web? Why has uptake of of IPv6 been so slow, and how can we avoid this issue with future amendments to the web? A very key and current hot topic is that of network neutrality, which in my opinion is one of the web's greatest assets and losing it could undermine all the good it does; as Google says, "Keep the Internet Awesome".
All these questions and more need answering and this is the purpose of Web Science, to find the answers we need to move forward with the internet and anticipate future trends to act before they become an issue, rather than reacting to what problems the web throws up. New laws will inevitably need to be put in place to help regulate the internet, whether they be censoring it, protecting people's privacy, enforcing net neutrality etc.. but they should only be implemented on the back of in depth research, just one of the reasons Web Science is one of the most important fields that will go from strength to strength over the coming years.
The research I would most like to undertake is looking into net neutrality and the psychological effect of internet usage. How to make sure neutrality would be best achieved, is making it a legal requirement the best way forward or is interfering with how companies are run like this going to cause problems? Should a free market be encouraged to let the consumer decide the best deal for them, with subsidies being given to ISP's who employ a neutral system? Is the internet addictive to the extent that it can cause psychological problems with users? Is how people act on-line under the guise of anonymity affecting how they interact with people in real life?
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