Once again, I think this play is still so entertaining is because of its relatability. It's about an average family with a father trying the best he knows how to fulfill his dreams. Not every audience member or reader will understand everything going through Willy's mind, but I think generally many families have been through similar situations. For instance, when Biff discovers his father's affair; many children look up to their parents and place them on the proverbial pedestal, but when the children eventually discover their parents are not perfect and are simply human, they must reevaluate thoughts and feelings about "reality."
Coverage
"We the Media" Chapters 3-5: Revenge of the Nerds
"We the Media" Chapters 11, 12, & Epilogue
Depth
Short Biography of Dan Gillmor
Interaction & Discussion
Short Biography of Dan Gillmor
Xenoblogging
Ashley Welker: Chapter 11 Oral Presentation
Erin Waite: We the Media ch. 11,12, epilogue
Mike Sichok: Spot News - Friday Afternoon Accident.
Wildcard
Ok, yes, I'm a smart aleck, but I couldn't resist. Someone posing as God (almost amusing, but not) insinuated that Dr. Jerz has an internet addiction. I personally doubt that, but I found the concept interesting. Surprisingly, some individuals do find themselves addicted to the web. Ironically, I found a lot of information via the internet. :-)
Internet Addiction (IA) is online-related, compulsive behavior which interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones, and one's work environment. It can also be called internet dependency. People with this addiction sacrifice everything and online activity virtually controls their life. It is estimated that between 5-10 percent of the population deal with this disease. National surveys revealed that over 50% of Internet addicts also suffered from other addictions, mainly to drugs, alcohol, smoking, and sex. Trends also showed that Internet addicts suffer from emotional problems such as depression and anxiety-related disorders and often use the fantasy world of the Internet to psychologically escape unpleasant feelings or stressful situations.
Some signs of internet addiction are:
~Constantly try out new browsers, continually research Internet vendors, or constantly download materials
~Fantasize about the Internet
~Voluntarily or involuntarily move their fingers as if typing
~Have to spend more and more time online to feel satisfied
~Are increasingly criticized by friends, bosses, students, or family members for ignoring social, job, academic, or family duties
~Use the Internet for longer than they intended
~Give up or cut back on important social, work, school, or recreation-related activities
~Try to stop or reduce Internet use but can't because of agitation, anxiety, or obsessive thoughts about what they're missing while they're not online
~Continue surfing the Internet despite the problems it fuels, like loss of sleep, relationship conflicts, poor academic or work performance, and loss of significant friends and relationships
Internet addiction can be understood by comparing it to other types of addictions. Individuals addicted to alcohol or other drugs, for example, develop a relationship with their "chemical of choice" -- a relationship that takes precedence over any and all other aspects of their lives. Addicts find they need drugs merely to feel normal. In Internet addiction, a parallel situation exists. The Internet -- like food or drugs in other addictions -- provides the "high" and addicts become dependent on this cyberspace high to feel normal. They substitute unhealthy relationships for healthy ones. They opt for temporary pleasure rather than the deeper qualities of "normal" intimate relationships. Internet addiction follows the same progressive nature of other addictions. Internet addicts struggle to control their behaviors, and experience despair over their constant failure to do so. Their loss of self-esteem grows, fueling the need to escape even further into their addictive behaviors. A sense of powerlessness pervades the lives of addicts.
Statistics of internet addiction
Think you have this disorder? Try this survey.