Internet Appreciation

 

The Dotcom disaster.

 

We have dried our tears and tried to put the painful memory behind us. We have humbled ourselves and publicly declared defeat as if the Internet were some formidable foe eagerly awaiting its next hapless victim.

 

Let's get a grip.

 

The Internet hasn't done anything to us. Yet, the misfortune of the business sector has tainted our views and caused us to take for granted one of the most important creations of our time. Let's put on the happy helmet and examine why we are all so lucky to have this revolutionary technology at our fingertips.

 

Email.

Nuff said? Well for those not familiar with the history behind the Internet and email, it all started in the late 60s. Scientists, researchers, and military personnel devised this means of electronic communication to exchange important government information. Even the geeks of the late 60s were human and it wasn't long before electronic communication was used for personal correspondence as well. It is no surprise that email has experienced steady growth since then and will continue to flourish. Try to imagine where you'd be without it. Scary, huh? This basic concept proves that the Internet could most definitely survive with this one function alone, but there is more...

 

Instant communication.

We can interact on so many different levels with people anywhere in the world. We've gotta be thankful for that. With instant messaging abilities and netcams, we are able to instantly visit anyone in the world without going anywhere! What would Paul Revere think? I can tell you what he'd think: The Internet is awesome.

 

Information.

What about the learning resources? Did you know that you can learn how to dissect a frog online? You can find out anything in the world just by typing a few words into a search engine. Increasing numbers of people are turning to the Internet every day to learn more about topics of interest. Biology without the stench of formaldehyde... what's next????

 

Creating communities within communities.

Never in the history of the world has there been such an outpouring of people helping people. Message boards have long been running rampant on the Internet. Millions of people have shared their ideas, experiences and suggestions out of the goodness of their hearts. File sharing is rapidly becoming a huge Internet function as well. What could be better than millions of people sharing helpful and useful information with millions of other complete strangers? Have we ever really stopped to realize what is actually going on here? The Internet is single-handedly blanketing the planet with love and understanding (shall we all hold hands and sing a couple verses of Kumbaya?).

OK, sorry...happy helmet, remember? Anyway you get the basic idea.

 

 

The point: The Internet has a far greater purpose than providing companies with a source of revenue. The Internet has become a fundamental part of our society that provides all humans with the things that are really important. So exchange some photos, find a date, read a poem. Just take one moment before you send that next email to appreciate the Internet. The best things in life really are free...

…or at least no more than $23.90 a month.