gatekeepers

I find this concept of ‘gatekeepers’ that was spoken of in our most recent lecture fascinating, particularly when applied to an individual’s relationship with the internet and particularly the computer he/she uses.

Living in a democracy where we like to think we are all equal and possess equivalent rights and chances, we can openly question those in or holding power above us. We notice the influence of Google and question the procedure behind its page listings. Whether its rankings are legitimate results of popularity, or if there is a deeper suspect reasoning behind this pecking order. We are quick to judge and find fault with those in authority, yet do we notice or critique in the same way those in control of the computer with which we access this material within the confines our homes?

Now I’m not saying ‘kids rebel against your parents and take the computer as your own’. I’m purely wondering if we think about the gatekeepers that exist in and around the computers we daily use, particularly in the home.

These gatekeepers exist physically close to us and usually know us on a personal level. In my own home they are my parents, in particularly my dad in whose office our family computer lives. In having the computer there my dad is effectively acting as a gatekeeper in that for instance I would not feel comfortable surfing through pages of porn while sitting right next to him. Other gatekeepers are the ‘administrators’ of the computer who have control over what is loaded on in terms of software and what levels of access specific users posses. These gatekeepers could put in place further gatekeepers in the form of spyware or Norton protection software etc.

I wonder whether we realise and consider these more personal and individual gatekeepers and the hegemonic relationships between us and them. Sure you might say that you possess your own laptop and therefore this all doesn’t apply to you, but I think it does, possibly in a different place such as at work, university or at a friends home. How much do these gatekeepers personally impact our use and relation with the computer and internet? Is it for the better or worse? Where does privacy and democracy come in relating to gate keeping in general?