Peer Review

The Future of Reputation: Gossip, Rumor, and Privacy on the Internet

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Overview:: "Daniel Solove, an authority on information privacy law, offers a fascinating account of how the Internet is transforming gossip, the way we shame others, and our ability to protect our own reputations. Focusing on blogs, Internet communities, cybermobs, and other current trends, he shows that, ironically, the unconstrained flow of information on the Internet may impede opportunities for self-development and freedom. Long-standing notions of privacy need review, the author contends: unless we establish a balance between privacy and free speech, we may discover that the freedom of the Internet makes us less free." (http://docs.law.gwu.edu/facweb/dsolove/Future-of-Reputation/synopsis.htm)
Type of Material:: Open Textbook
Recommended Uses:: This resource could be used in a Science, Technology and Society type of class. It could also be used in a social psychology course that examines gossip and rumors. Excerpts could be used in an introductory sociology course. It is best used as homework or external reading.
Technical Requirements:: HTML/Text
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Understanding and questioning how social media change the way we interact with each other.
Target Student Population:: College/University
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: none

Rating:
Strengths:: Explores the new world of social media and its influence on both culture and the individual. Even though written in 2007, many of the issues are still relevant today. Examples provide detailed accounts of internet identity issues. Students will be engaged and most likely be able to provide their own examples. The website includes links to some of the sites in the book.
Concerns:: Does not offer exercises or other instructions on how to investigate the subject matter more fully. It was written in 2007 so it is a little dated.

Rating:
Strengths:: If you want to connect to today's students, this resource will generate a lot of discussion. It also has a short list of discussion questions.
Concerns:: You would need to think carefully about how you would control and guide the discussion to highlight sociological concepts and to make certain students connect their experiences to sociological content.

Rating:
Strengths:: It is easy to navigate the site. Each chapter is independently viewable and you do not have to download the entire book.
Concerns:: Some of the links to websites cited in the book are no longer valid.

Other Issues and Comments:: It is nicely laid out and makes good use of available references. This book looks at a relatively new social phenomena and as such is primarily exploratory. Keep in mind that it was written in 2007.
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