Internet Spurns Wild Week in Lincoln
5 comments so far
February 27, 2009 by
In-ter-net – noun – a vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide. The Internet includes commercial, educational, governmental, and other networks, all of which use the same set of communications protocols.
The internet. What was once new technology (thanks, Al Gore!) is now the greatest means for business across the world. It has become a staple of our culture in every way imaginable. But the new technology hasn’t always been a good thing – especially this week in regards to Husker football. Mike Ekeler, Patrick Witt, and David Oku got a first hand look at how the internet is a world full of fast information and even faster rumors.
“Did you hear that Oku got his girlfriend pregnant on his official visit?�
The amount of information available online regarding Nebraska football is staggering. The major newspapers all have blogs and articles online. There are fan sites such as Corn Nation, Husker Mike, and the ‘Pedia. There are recruiting services such as Scouts and Rivals. Don’t forget the message boards with “insiders.� And of course, our beloved Big Red Network.
“South Florida is hiring the Illinois DC. Wait no, Ekeler is still a candidate. Nevermind, he turned it down.�
Just as fast as information can spread on the internet, so can rumors. Of course there were always rumblings around the water cooler about an assistant interviewing for other jobs, but the attention the Ekeler interview has received this week is interesting. The internet has allowed us to get to know the assistants better than before and has even created some weird habits in following their happenings such as job searches. Ever tracked a plane before? I know I have. Weird.
“My buddy just installed cable at Tom Rathman’s house.�
The internet is a great thing too. Before, incoming freshman were handed a gigantic playbook with hundreds of pages filled with formations and vernacular. Today, a player can log on to a program such as The Huddle and view plays in a video game-like format to learn the playbook. Coaches can have instant contact with players through email or text messaging to get the word out.
“Bo has contacted Oku. No he hasn’t. Yes he has. But he promised Burkhead…..�
For a young 18 year old, it takes a lot of maturing in a hurry to be able to keep up with the pace of Division I college football. With the addition of the internet and its quick means of information (true or false), the maturation process has to happen faster and I don’t think that is a good thing.
“Patrick Witt has been teaching Cody Green the wrong signals in practice!�
From “water cooler talk� to “message board talk�, the internet has changed the way fans obsess and learn about their team. This week has seen some of the strangest things happen within the Husker family and many of it has probably been blown out of proportion due to the info being released online. Of course, without the internet, we wouldn’t have the opportunity we have here at the Big Red Network so for that I am thankful.
What are your thoughts regarding the internet’s relationship with something like college football? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
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nu-isu-fan Feb 27 09
Good or Bad? Probably both.
In 4th grade, I moved from Omaha to a farm outside a tiny little town in Iowa (population 500-ish). One day, my brother was sick and didn’t go to school. When asked about him on the bus that morning, I thought I’d play a little trick on my friend and told him my brother broke his arm in a motorcycle wreck. This was my first lesson about tiny little towns. By the end of the day, my parents had received numerous phone calls and even visits from concerned friends of the family. I was in a heap of trouble and it took some time to clear the reputation I earned as a 10 yr old.
The internet has taken millions of people and somehow shoved them into a tiny little town. The only difference is people who live in tiny little towns learn very quickly to speak the truth and speak only what you know. Many of those involved in the internet rumor mill have not learned that lesson and probably won’t.
So the new lesson is – doubt what you read and don’t pass it on.
But hey, it gives us something to talk about, right?
VA Husker Feb 27 09
I think it is great. Although I know I am resposible for what I read. With that in mind, I choose not to "bank" on what it divulged on the Internet, unless I see multiple credible sources reporting the same thing.
Just be smart.
Dwayne Feb 27 09
nu-isu,
I totally disagree with your second sentence of your second paragraph. The internet is to the world what a coffee shop, bar, or corner cafe is to a small town.
Jeff Williams Feb 27 09
Good article Renny. Who would of thought that this week would be one of the crazier off-season weeks in recent memory?
Greg Morrow Feb 27 09
“My buddy just installed cable at Tom Rathman’s house.�
One day, as I was walking by a Home Depot, here in San Diego, a disheveled guy called out "Tom Rathman!"
I'm like, how'd he know I'm a Husker fan?
Actually, what I don't like, are leaks from those being paid by the program, at whatever capacity. I'm about preserving the dignity of the players- present and former.
Somewhat savvy fans can sort through the kernels from the crap. Even in this "hotwire" age, paper writers are still the best source for more than what huskers.com gives up.
Either Saturday or Sunday, I really was thinking that since only workouts are going on, it'll be dry, news wise, until practice.
Well, there you go!