Are we as a race mature enough for the internet?

 

This morning like so many Sunday mornings, I had my first cup of coffee while walking my dog. Next, I settled down at my computer to do a morning jog through the internet. To no surprise the internet was kinda like I left it the night before. Angry and chaotic. Welcome to this new generations normal.

 

I remember many years ago when we began reading about this new thing coming called the internet. The internet would let people travel the world, explore new places, and learn great things, all from the comfort of our homes. And you know what…all that came to pass. The internet also exceeded every expectation we had. Knowledge from all corners of the earth is at our fingertips. Communication is instant across the globe. But were we as a race mature enough for all this technology?

 

In the time of our grandparents, news came from good reliable sources. The news came on TV in the evenings and was watched by millions of families across the nation. Families would often discuss current events while having their evening meal. Families would form opinions before they left the house for work the next day. Is this as a nation where we are going wrong? Quite possibly.

 

These days news doesn’t often come from good reliable sources. It comes instantly from thousands of sources across the internet. We are bombarded by some type of “news” story 24 hrs. a day. These days two turtles crossing the road classifies as “Breaking News.” Everyone has an opinion and they are quick to share. Most don’t bother thinking about it first, researching it, or even caring if it is based on fact.

 

Now don’t get me wrong, I still think the internet is a wonderful thing. Much good has been done through the wealth of knowledge we now have access to. But, on a daily basis, we as a race continually tear each other down using this most awesome platform. Accountability is lacking in todays society. News anchors, bloggers, and journalist of all kind should be re-taught their craft. News stories should be based on facts, not opinions.

 

Readers have a stake in this platform as well. How many times have you commented on an article based on the title alone? As a writer I notice this every day. So many times the main Idea of an article isn’t even what the title referred to. When you make a comment on something you didn’t read, you often just look silly. Sometimes it’s in our best interest to slow down, take a step back and think before we act.

 

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The Internet is So Cool!

For those of you that graduated back in the early 80’s, you probably will relate to this a little more than today’s kids. Today’s young people have grown up with the internet always having been there. For those of us a little older, we clearly remember when there was no internet, or even cell phones.

The internet has changed our lives probably as much as when electricity was first being used…if not more. I remember vividly bill paying day. Usually on Friday, I would get in my car and ride all over the place, going to places I really didn’t want to go to and giving them money. Now with a click of the mouse, all bills are paid. I still don’t like giving anyone my money but I do save a bundle on gas.

I remember when the internet was first being offered. We were told you would be able to “surf” the net and go anywhere in the world. I thought to myself “how stupid, no ones gonna do that junk.” OK, now I wish I’d have bought stock in all that junk. I have surfed the net and been all over the world and travel to new places every night.

I regularly chat with people and friends from not only all over our country but the world as well. People used to do this long ago but they were called pen pals back then…and it took weeks to get a reply. The internet has brought me back in touch from friends from my past and from school, many I am sure I would have never seen or heard from again. These are the things that us 80’s folk understand. Before the internet, most never saw most of their classmates again after graduation. Now we are constantly shown where each other is at, what we are doing and even when we are going to bed. The world doesn’t seem quite so large and scary anymore…the internet is so cool.