Just as networking is more useful on the internet because of the multiple extra contacts, the web has become a much more useful tool for brainstorming because of the extra information that might not be right on the tip of your tongue. When meeting in a group for brainstorming, you are restricted to the time available and the stresses of coming up with something in the time allotted, or at least coming up with a plan. When using the internet as a tool for brainstorming, you have more time and there is less pressure. You can browse through all sorts of random information that could possibly connect to your topic.


I know that whenever I am writing a paper, I like to start by gathering all random information in my head. Whichever connection sticks in my brain is the topic I usually chose because it means that it interested me most. I hate writing papers on topics that don't interest me fully because I am never confident with the outcome. I usually browse through random websites to find a way to approach a paper that will interest me. I may not be interested in the topic, but there is always a little part of it that I can find interesting and want to know more, it just takes time to look.


When working independently, people have the freedom to browse without the pressure of getting something done within the meeting time. When I have had group projects before, it has always been thoroughly frustrating to find meeting times because of everyone's busy lifestyles. We don't get to make our projects as good as possible because we have to decide on plans during class times or the 5 minutes afterwards. The pressure of meetings simply makes them less productive in my opinion.