Chris Edwards, Digital Projects Leader, Asia Pacific Cluster, Scholarly Information Services/Library, Menzies Building No 2, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 0200. e-mail: Christopher.Edwards@anu.edu.au
language, internet, online, information, value, cost, collectivist, individualist, culture, society
This paper examines influences that language and culture may play on the volume and quality of online information and poses significant questions about the 'value' of content to different linguistic and cultural groups.
By examining statistics on web content and Internet usage and then considering these along with telecommunication data and cultural understandings, the paper constructs a birds-eye view of content in our ever-evolving online world and deliberations are made about the values placed on content by individualistic and collective cultures. The paper aims to expose what could be seen as a flaw in the 'pay per view' model that treats information as a commodity, rather than an opportunity to freely share global knowledge.
The evaluation and conclusions presented in this paper form some cogent 'building
blocks' that others might consider when developing strategies in the disciplines
of research, education, global marketing, business, and communication and library
services.
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