Not Stupid
On this Web site, people who have watched the movie The Age of Stupid can join groups to connect with other people who have watched the movie. The developers of this Web site also have created a page which allows fans of the movie to sign up to host screenings of the movie and spread the word of this film. On the very first page of the site, there is a big link that says “What Can I Do?”. Fans of the movie can become activists by reading all the resources available at the Web site. This is a great way to engage people in the democratic process and a very effective way of boosting a grassroots effort.
This is a very effective Web site because it has a good visual appeal, it is easy to navigate and it offers fans and environmental activists a way to communicate with one another and have a larger impact on the reception of the movie in the mass media. The site also offers resources that people can use to become actively involved in environmental politics.
Street Films
On this Web site people are able to submit their films that are related to transportation issues. They can watch videos and comment on them, share videos with friends and buy DVDs of the videos that are on the Web site to show at local screenings. This Web site also has a Web blog component to it.
Through the use of multimedia, this site is able to get people's attention – and keep it – on social issues such as public and non-motorized transportation. The videos, the blog, the comments and the capability to share the information with a variety of Web sites makes it easier for the information to go viral and get the word out to people much faster. The Web blog component of the Web site allows for the Web authors to post links to resources, information and news about their cause.
Tree Hugger
TreeHugger.com is an online magazine about environmental issues and sustainability.
TreeHugger.com very clearly promotes Web 2.0 ideals. A toolbar on the left side of the screen remains on the Web site throughout the duration of the user's visit. This toolbar allows Web site visitors to go to TreeHugger.com's Twitter profile, Facebook profile, subscribe to RSS feeds or participate in the forums. Also, there is a section of the Web site that is titled “Interact”. This portion of the Web site allows users to communicate with one another. The site does not guide conversation in any particular way in the forums, but the news that is posted to the Web site's main page guide provide information on environmental issues. The forums can become a place to discuss issues and how people are able to participate in the democratic process.
I feel that this site is not as useful as it could be. Of course, it does provide information and the tools to communicate with other people, but the site does not give a lot of information on how to make change or if that is even the goal of the Web site. The sections for games and quizzes would be a good example of the not useful parts of the Web site.
