Reasons To Love The Internet
Labels: Internet, Society
The Internet is first and foremost an interactive library with embedded communication tools for greater access to information. Human nature turned it into the elephant in the room. Humans that use the internet to access porn from the privacy of their home versus going to the corner store where they KNOW you became hopelessly addicted to the convenience. Humans already having marital issues used the internet to escape and to interact with anyone besides there spouse. Add to that a growing number of perverts who prey on naive teens desperate for someone to love and you have a very useful tool getting a bad wrap due to it's negative side effects.
Yet still a tool it is. A weapon for some with that kind of knowledge and a thirst for excitement and danger. So why don't we get as prickly when someone owns an axe or other dangerous tool made infamous in any number of horror movies as the killer's weapon of choice? Just try to tell a group of people who don't use the internet for fun that you do without them looking at you like you are an alien with green puss coming out of your eyes. Of course this blog is about reasons to love the internet so here goes.
Despite all the potential dangers of the internet, none of which are exclusive to the internet by any means, I firmly believe that it will be our salvation as a species. Simply by allowing the citizens of this planet to interact and socialize, becoming friends without borders and without politicians deciding who talks to who. I have personally participated in very civil discussions with folks from all walks of life, all corners of the globe, on topics from abortion to genocide. People I have never met in person and whom I never would have had the pleasure of talking to without the internet.
There are a lot of people out there who refuse to have anything to do with socialization in this manner. Believing that true relationships can only be formed in person. There is also a group of very good friends who would beg to differ. Granted they did all eventually meet in person, which did cement these relationships further, but ask any of them and they will tell you they had been friends for years prior to meeting. People have also met and fell in love on line, living happily ever after. Personally I find that I know my online friends better than some people I have known my whole life. You see when you communicate in text you have to be a lot more specific, plus it is easier for many to open up without the self-consciousness of being face to face. Then again, they tell me I am just easy to talk to. Maybe that is also because of the text. My short attention span is not an issue when I can read what you wrote over and over again.
It is important for everyone to have a voice in this world. The Internet is our megaphone. People are out there right now communicating with each other across the world. Politicians are being forced to either put up or shut up because one little frak up is broadcast to millions before they can say "just kidding". The Internet is a highly evolved child. It should be embraced and loved but given a few boundaries for good measure. One thing that could use improving are the "You must be 18 or over to view this page" warnings that does nothing but make a minor click one more time along with the rest of us. Now instead of all the elaborate parental controls that really just slow down your pc...how about a single script that detects that warning - which would be mandatory on all adult sites - upon detection your pc locks up and requests parents password. Without it the machine stays locked and has to be shut down. When they reboot the script would pop up again basically grounding the naughty kid from the net till his folks return.
However the number one thing that is needed to improve the safety and function of the internet is for people to use it. Use it to keep up with your kids and who is talking to them. Use it to touch base with old friends that you would never have time to go visit. Use it to discuss the latest news and other trends that you feel need discussing. Use it to research, use it to learn, use it to evolve. Use it so you are no longer disgusted by its mention. There are a lot of wonderful people out there, and just as many jerks. I would rather weed through the herd from the quiet safety of my home than out there...in public. I am too busy watching my purse and my back to get to know anyone plus when you are shopping out there no one is asking you how your day was except the checker. Online, I can shop, read, write, debate, discuss, learn, teach and have fun all at the same time.
If none of those reasons are good enough...love the Internet because that is where you will find your Beloved Empress.
