Former Vice President Al Gore visits MTSU with guest speakers to discuss their observations and experiences with the Internet on March 27 in the Keathley University Center Theatre.
Numerous lectures and discussions will take place throughout the day as students and community members are encouraged to attend.
"This event is designed to explore the Internet in a rapidly changing society," said Beverly Keel, director of the Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence. "This will help us examine where we [society] are and what needs to be done about it."
The event will begin with Cass Sunstein, author of Republican.com 2.0, who will discuss the Internet's effect on Democracy and self-government.
Following Sunstein, John Seigenthaler will reveal his actual experiences with Wikipedia in a lecture entitled "The Wonderful World of Wikipedia: Sinbad, Fuzzy Zoeller, Ann Coulter and Me." Throughout the speech, Seigenthaler will discuss how he was accused of killing John F. Kennedy and raping Jackie Kennedy.
In contrast to Seigenthaler, Jimmy Wales, creator of Wikipedia will discuss "The Future of The Free Culture: Challenges, Changes and Opportunities."
According to Keel, the fact that students will have the opportunity to see both sides will be very beneficial to understanding the Internet's role.
After a brief intermission, Al Gore will reveal his observations about the Internet due to his recognition, as one of the people to predict the success the Internet would have. Gore will give his opinion on this technology as he addresses the topics of Internet blogs and news reports.
Shortly after Gore's lecture on Internet blogging, Wales and Seigenthaler will join him for an hour-long roundtable discussion.
"It will not be a debate but more of a conversation with each other to discuss the Internet and how it has brought about impact," Keel said.
Following the roundtable discussion, a panel featuring Sunstein; Robert Cox, President of Media Bloggers Association; Karen Dunlap, president of The Poynter Institute; Jonathan Landman, deputy managing editor of The New York Times'; and attorney Charles Sizemore, who represented a client that filed a lawsuit for libel and invasion of privacy against bloggers will be held to discuss the Internet's impact on journalism.
"The Internet is nothing short of a revolution in journalism," Keel said. "It has changed the way journalists do their job."
In addition to the impact the Internet has had on journalism, Frontline documentary Growing Up Online will be showing before a panel entitled "What Parents Should Know About the Internet."
The guests on the panel will include Anna Benson of Metro Nashville Public Schools, Eric Anderson, detective sergeant of Tennessee Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Becky Alexander and her son, Eldridge Alexander.
"Parents depend on children to guide them through new technology, but have no clue what their children are doing on the Internet," Keel said. "This will give them the tools to help monitor what their children do online."
As a whole, Keel said that the Internet impacts the lives of every student she knows. By coming to this event she hopes to warn them about their descriptions or information posted on various Internet sites such as Facebook and MySpace.
"As students prepare for careers, they need to know the Internet is public property and future employers view MySpace or Facebook sites," Keel said. "When inviting the world into your life, be aware of personal information told online."
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