Radiological Technology on the Internet

In February, 2009, Seth Godin expressed the idea that the Internet has enabled the re-creation of the human social unit from the past, the tribe. According to Godin, the Internet has allowed people with some common interest or goal, who would otherwise not have found each other, to connect and talk about things that they care about. 


There are many resources for information on the Internet, which are not so different from books or journal articles. They are unchanging, one-way modes of communication. Many of us have taken online courses, which are sometimes interactive, but the forced interaction of a limited group oppresses the potential of the interaction. I am primarily interested in the ways in which people are interacting with each other on their own will. This occurs on what is referred to as the read/write web. The Internet has changed the flow of information from unidirectional, to multidirectional. Readers can respond directly to authors to create discussion (Land & Bayne, 2005). The red/write web consists of Blogs, Wikis, social bookmarking, RSS feeds, podcasts, and other forms including those that have yet to be invented (Richardson, 2006).

So, is there a radiological technology community that connects on the Internet? Yes.

Firstly, there are websites where people can meet to talk about radiological technology. For example, Radiology Forums is simply a website where users make posts to participate in discussions. Radiolopolis and Radiography Students are similar, they have forums, but also have more complicated features including instant messaging, groups, and case studies.

Wikiradiography is similar to the popular site Wikipedia. They are wikis. A wiki is an encyclopedia that anyone can edit at any time. Wikiradiography is far from being a complete encyclopedia, but the amount of content available on the site is astounding. The site also allows communication between users in the form of messages and forums. Radiopaedia is another useful wiki with a focus on Radiology. Some may worry that the information in wikis is unreliable and do not think they should be used as an academic tool. They are correct, in my opinion, to a certain extent. Content in wikis may not be a credible source to reference. However, almost all the information in Wikiradiography and Wikipedia is referenced, so you can easily find the original source to verify the accuracy and reference.

There is a proliferation of diverse blogs, including technologist blogs (Juney’s World, X-Rayted, Topics in Radiography, Mountain Imaging, Radiologic Confidential, X-Ray Rocks, Radiology Ramblings), student blogs (Divergent Rays, RT Wannabe) instructor blogs (Lessons in Radiography, The X-ray Chic, Radiology 101), radiologist blogs (Ummara Shares, Scan Man’s Notes, RadGirl Radiology Blog, A Radiology Geek's Blog, Nuclear Vision, Sumer’s Radiology Site), corporate blogs (The DR Blog), and PACS blogs (PACS World,  Dalai's PACS Blog). On the Internet, a new blog is created every second, but two thirds of all blogs go for more than 2 months without being updated (Richardson, 2006). This holds true for blogs in the radiological technology domain. Most of these blogs have not been updated for quite some time.

The connections made through the read/write web are unique because they bridge gaps in space and time. Users can converse with other users anywhere with Internet access. Conversations can occur over longer periods of time. The Internet allows a shift in focus from the transmission of information, to the negotiation of information (Land & Bayne, 2005). Additionally, all users are created equally, giving rise to a democratic playing field and promoting Socratic questioning. Through all of this, a group of people with similar interests, become a community through the interactions they create.

Godin, S. (2009). Seth Godin on the Tribes We Lead. Retrieved from  http://www.ted.com/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead.html

Land, R., & Bayne, S. (2005).  Education in Cyberspace. New York, NY: RoutledgeFalmer.

Richardson, W. (2006).  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.