-The Internet, mobile phones and other digital technology such as cameras, mp3 players, tablets and just about anything manufactured by Apple has made huge impact on global media. Not only can people all over the world see the news on television or hear about it on the radio, but pretty much any and all information may be accessed through these outlets. The world wide web has come a long way and boomed with all of the accessible information, news, shopping, entertainment and communication that anyone could ever want.
When the Internet was first introduced, it was only able to be used via computer on desktops before later moving to the more mobile laptops. From there, we are now able to use the Internet on our cell phones, iPods, iPads and other smart devices. We are now able to stay constantly connected to the world around us through all of these modern day gadgets. Society wants to "keep up with the Jones'" and have the latest and greatest in digital connectivity, but unfortunately, the people of underdeveloped countries do not.
2. What are the pros and cons of the Internet and computer
-The pros to constantly being connected to the world through the Internet or even a cell phone keeps people in the know to what is going on around them. Through Twitter we receive constant floods of information in 140 characters or less in out time lines informing us about anything or anyone we follow. When a poisonous cobra escaped/disappeared from a zoo in New York, a fake twitter profile was created for it and hundreds of people gladly followed and indulged in the fake tweets being posted.
I myself learned of the death of Osama Bin Laden through twitter. Its a fantastic way to get the nut graf of the news and follow links to the rest of the articles posted along with it. When ever there is an earthquake or other local news or natural disaster in or near Long Beach, California, I hear my news through Facebook and Twitter usually before it has even been presented by a news station or radio disc jockey.
The blazing speed at which information is sent and received via the Internet (be it good or bad, true or false) is amazing. It really makes me wonder what more we have in store and how much more information can be held on the Internet before enough is too much.
The cons of the Internet and computer technology are that bad and false information can and is constantly being sent and received by people. Information on the Wikipedia site is hard to trust as the information and content on any entry can be altered by anyone at anytime.
Another con of the Internet is that not everyone has it. Its not that the people who don't have access to the World Wide Web are ignorant, it may just be that they do not have the means or materials to access it. They may reside in a country that is not developed enough to handle it. it does not create a level playing ground when it comes to the distribution of news and media to the people of countries that do not utilize the Internet.
I also believe that constantly being connected to the Internet can strain on the personal relationships and interactions that we as humans used to engage in. Why talk to someone face to face when you can find your future soul mate online? Don't get me wrong, I don't judge. I know plenty of people who have found "The One" through some form of online social media, and to that I say to each his own. But with my generation, most dates are conducted online through fake profiles, chatting or even Skype.
Its okay to use the Internet for whatever your heart desires, but I see it as being unhealthy when we cannot bear to part with our iPhones and Blackberrys. It is as if these mobile devices have become an extension of our arms and hands. Sophomore Public Relations student (and my sister) Kellie Graham conducted a small study on students regarding their feelings of being disconnected from the media for a day. She asked various students to use three words to describe how they felt if they had no access to media for a day. The results were very interesting. A majority of the answers given were: Alone, Worried, Free, Scared, Anxious, Desperate, Uniformed and Lost.
It really makes me wonder how people without Internet and social media and connectivity feel not having it for more than just 24 hours...
Very good!
ReplyDelete