Cultural Critique on the Internet

by the onset of industrialization, countries all over the world had experienced peculiar changes in its smart set. Sophisticated technologies, gadgets and facilities had been make available to spell. These inventions, which argon results of mans work, pave the trend to the companionships advancements. One of the most infrequent artif dresss that the clean milieu brought into picture is the earnings.The advent of the mesh came into vision when pot in the early 1960s saw great potential time abide by in allowing computers to sh ar in bodation on research and mountment in scientific and military fields ( sketch account of the mesh). J. C. R. Licklider was s encourage to be the pi matchlessering soulfulness of the network. In 1962, he proposed a world(prenominal) network of computers and work to give rise it ( shortened History of the net). The initial efforts of Licklider had inspired separate tribe to participate in excogitation and livery lucre into a complet e picture.The theory of chemise electric switch developed by Leonard Kleinrock throws the basis of net partnerships. In the twelvemonth 1969, ARPANET (initial depict given to profit) was brought on gentle wind. It was first workoutd to connect quadruplet Universities in the United States to provide a channel for research talk and exchange. proto(prenominal) magazines of profits use and connection were very complex. Further more than, the employ of the internet was only limited to education, presidential term and research use.Commercial use of the internet was past prohibited. This prohibition was put to an end when the dot-com boom in the hour half of 1990s hit the stock mart and media (Gozzi junior 470). Investments for the commercialization of the internet were in demand during these years. It was as well as during these times when Microsoft had its exuberant scurf entry into browser, server and meshing Service Provider market entire the shift t a commercial ly based internet (A Brief History of the cyberspace).As seen today, the internet industry or the dot-com providence is perpetually growing and taking an advance step everyday. The definition as hearty as the description of the internet was finalized and passed as a block on October 24, 1995. The n matchlessing statement provides the definition and description of the internet upshot The federal official Networking Council (FNC) agrees that the succeeding(a) manner of speaking reflects our definition of the term Internet.Internet refers to the global culture system that (i) is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP) or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons (ii) is able to support higgles utilise the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) retinue or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons, and/or other IP-compatible protocols and (iii) provides, uses or makes accessible, either publicly or private ly, high direct services layered on the communication theory and related infrastructure described herein (Leiner et al n. p).This technology grants appliance to sight throughout the globe to process and relay information without go through for geographic location. It has been a channel for communication, business, community operations and education. It opened the possibilities of on roue learning and business negotiation and made the life of individuals to be brisk and sophisticated. Through the onset of this technology, advancement in the society and mans culture too took place. The benefits that this technology put to work is said to be illimitable and essential. However, at fork out times, slew seem to yell the used of the internet.Such abuse initiated the detrimental implications and ravish of the said artef symbolize to the society as a whole. The community had too much relied on the features of the internet. In an obligate create verbally by Greenblatt, he a rgued that the elevation of the internet had negatively affected handed-down television (149). It is feargond that the internet would eventually kill television as it does in the music industry and in the print media. disceptation between handed-down television and the internet arises. It was noted in the article of Greenblatt that concourse go by less time in viewing the television than they do in the net.Through on line streaming, watching sports, design of artists, etc is nowadays possible. It is showed that the traditional mien of watching (i. e. with the use of television) had been altered due(p) to internet boom. While it bathroom be said that the presence of internet provides the benefit for individuals to watch programs in their most convenient time, it is still below the belt because other industries suffer. Too much dependence of the public to the internet had brought the difficulty of unfair competition. Peoples way of socializing was also altered through the used of the internet.The inveterate way of meeting and inhabiting a particular person had been changed. more or less tribe use the internet to meet and socialize with new people. This has been made possible through the used of chat board as sound as other internet sites like friendster. The value of having friends is not the main question universe posed. The threat for such sites and chat rooms is the opportunity for on line prostitution and other crimes to mother place (Clemmitt 450). The internet had (in no doubtfulness) expanded prostitution, bringing it available not only on the area where a certain prostitute lives plainly also in nearby cities or town.The invention of the internet has also given rise to a new kind of habituation, which is online porn addiction where theres no doubt that some peoples porn consumption gets them in solicitude in the form of maxed-out credit cards, lost sleep, neglect responsibilities, or neglected loved ones (Martin F. Downs) . knock-down-and-drag-out acts of children are also partly blamed on the internet. On line games which most children and youngsters play depict violence which eventually changes their mental behavior.The improver in violent acts of these youngsters eventually contributes to an increase in crime. Early scene of these youngsters to act of violence and other adult materials move bring hostile effect to their perception about the reality. Addiction to these on line games had also reduced their time for physical activities thus bringing the problem of obesity. Dr Robinson from the British Nutrition foundation said 40% of boys and 60% of girls were found to cut down less than the recommended one hour per day in physical bodily function (BBC News).The most controversial and frightening contribution of the internet is the opportunity that it provides for act of terrorism. Terrorist are availing the opportunity to connect with the internet and used this artifact as a propaganda too l (Anderson 25). Since every shape that is connected to the internet is potentially a broad casting station, a printing press or a place of assembly, terrorists can now disseminate their information concentrated by the media and untouched by government censors. In the past, the al-Quaeda had benefited from the extensive use of the internet not until their network was intercepted.The following statement, which basically tackles on how terrorists put throughs were meliorate through the aid of the internet, was cited in Andersons work (2003). Using the Internet for communication can increase cannonball along of mobilization and allow more dialogue between members, which enhances the organizations flexibility, since tactics can be adjusted more frequently. Individuals with a gross agenda and goals can form sub convocations, meet at a score location, conduct terrorist operations, and then quickly determine their relationships and re-disperse (27).Documents accessed through intern et connection also provided the Al-Queada to obtain inside information regarding the design lay out of the orb Trade Center which contributed to the achiever of making their plans. The Al-Queada group had developed their action in using the internet as a tool for terrorism. It is fearful to think that future terrorists would follow the step taken by the mentioned group and may even develop more powerful and sophisticated programs that would aid in the threat of terrorism. The internet had initiated the risk of cyber terrorism.Internets authority in moldable todays culture is indeed rare and at the same time threatening. Pioneers of this artifact may move over the double-dyed(a) intention to bring the world in the state of modernization. However, it is sad to know that upon the onset of modernization comes the threat and harm that the internet posed. Overuse, misused and overdependence of people in this artifact will in no doubt bring several detrimental effects. As discussed from the examples above, actions of people as well as their pagan identity are negatively being altered by the mere presence of the internet.The internets original purpose of making information accessible, sharing this information in a fast pace and making long standoffishness communication possible had been abusively used by some people therefore bringing a negative impact on the societys culture. Our world nowadays is continuously progressing and accompanying this progress is the presentation of new artifacts. Truly, these new artifacts had taken a vital role in mold our societys culture as well as shaping the minds of people. These innovations would be more plausibly to be inevitable. either new artifact is invented to in some manner benefit and bring people a comfortable way of living, however, one should not overlook the harm that these new artifacts may bring. Every time that we take a step towards advancement comes the opportunity for societal and cultural change. Thes e changes bring forth several issues and problems that are more likely to have negative outcomes. The internet has had its effects on society at present and it will have its effects in the future. The future of the internet is face up with the question on how management of change and evolution would be done.Let us not keep ourselves to be tongue tied and see how the negative outcomes abrogate our cultural and societal identity. We should act on this matter. Work Cited Anderson, Alison. Risk, Terrorism, and the Internet. Knowledge, technology & policy 16 (2003) 24-33 BBC News, Health Symptoms in Obese children. 16 may 2008 . Brief History of the Internet. 28 May 2008 . Clemmitt, Marcia. Prostitution debate. CQ research worker, May 23, 2008 CQ detective Online. genus Capella Lib. 29 May 2008 . Downs, Martin F. Is pornography addictive. 16 May 2008 . Greenblatt, Allan. Televisions future. CQ Researcher, February 16, 2007 CQ Researcher Online. Capella Lib. 29 May 2008 . Lei ner Barry M. , V. G. Cerf, D. D. Clark, R. E. Kahn, L. Kleinrock, D. C. Lynch, J. Postel, L. G. Roberts and S. Wolff. Brief History of Internet. 10 declination 2003. Internet society. 28 May 2008 .Cultural Critique on the InternetThrough the onset of industrialization, countries all over the world had experienced remarkable changes in its society. Sophisticated technologies, gadgets and facilities had been made available to man. These inventions, which are results of mans work, pave the way to the societys advancements. One of the most remarkable artifacts that the new milieu brought into picture is the internet.The advent of the internet came into vision when people in the early 1960s saw great potential value in allowing computers to share information on research and development in scientific and military fields (Brief History of the Internet). J. C. R. Licklider was said to be the pioneering person of the internet. In 1962, he proposed a global network of computers and work to develop it (Brief History of the Internet). The initial efforts of Licklider had inspired other people to participate in designing and bringing internet into a complete picture.The theory of pocket switching developed by Leonard Kleinrock forms the basis of internet connections. In the year 1969, ARPANET (initial name given to internet) was brought on line. It was first used to connect four Universities in the United States to provide a channel for research communication and exchange. Early times of internet use and connection were very complex. Furthermore, the used of the internet was only limited to education, government and research use.Commercial used of the internet was then prohibited. This prohibition was put to an end when the dot-com boom in the second half of 1990s hit the stock market and media (Gozzi Jr. 470). Investments for the commercialization of the internet were in demand during these years. It was also during these times when Microsoft had its full scale entry i nto browser, server and Internet Service Provider market completed the shift t a commercially based Internet (A Brief History of the Internet).As seen today, the internet industry or the dot-com economy is continuously growing and taking an advance step everyday. The definition as well as the description of the internet was finalized and passed as a resolution on October 24, 1995. The following statement provides the definition and description of the internet RESOLUTION The Federal Networking Council (FNC) agrees that the following language reflects our definition of the term Internet.Internet refers to the global information system that (i) is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP) or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons (ii) is able to support communications using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons, and/or other IP-compatible protocols and (iii) provid es, uses or makes accessible, either publicly or privately, high level services layered on the communications and related infrastructure described herein (Leiner et al n.p). This technology grants mechanism to people throughout the globe to process and relay information without regard for geographic location. It has been a channel for communication, business, community operations and education. It opened the possibilities of on line learning and business negotiation and made the life of individuals to be modern and sophisticated. Through the onset of this technology, advancement in the society and mans culture also took place. The benefits that this technology bring is said to be limitless and essential.However, at present times, people seem to abuse the used of the internet. Such abuse initiated the negative implications and harm of the said artifact to the society as a whole. The internet has also brought succor to the lives of many people in economically less developed countries that have a slightly substandard educational system. This is by way of accessing the online learning materials of world-class universities around the world. They are able to access up-to-date information on nearly all subjects and upgrade their knowledge.The community had too much relied on the features of the internet. In an article written by Greenblatt, he argued that the rise of the internet had negatively affected traditional television (149). It is feared that the internet would eventually kill television as it does in the music industry and in the print media. Competition between traditional television and the internet arises. It was noted in the article of Greenblatt that people spend less time in viewing the television than they do in the net. Through on line streaming, watching sports, concert of artists, etc is now possible.It is showed that the traditional way of watching (i. e. with the use of television) had been altered due to internet boom. While it can be said th at the presence of internet provides the benefit for individuals to watch programs in their most convenient time, it is still unfair because other industries suffer. Too much dependence of the public to the internet had brought the problem of unfair competition. Peoples way of socializing was also altered through the use of the internet. The usual way of meeting and knowing a particular person had been changed.Most people use the internet to meet and socialize with new people. This has been made possible through the use of chat rooms as well as other internet sites like friendster. The value of having friends is not the main question being posed. The threat for such sites and chat rooms is the opportunity for on line prostitution and other crimes to take place (Clemmitt 450). The internet had (in no doubt) expanded prostitution, bringing it available not only on the area where a certain prostitute lives but also in nearby cities or town.The invention of the internet has also given r ise to a new kind of addiction, which is online porn addiction where theres no doubt that some peoples porn consumption gets them in trouble in the form of maxed-out credit cards, lost sleep, neglected responsibilities, or neglected loved ones (Martin F. Downs). Violent acts of children are also partly blamed on the internet. On line games which most children and youngsters play depict violence which eventually changes their psychological behavior.The increase in violent acts of these youngsters eventually contributes to an increase in crime. Early delineation of these youngsters to act of violence and other adult materials can bring unfavorable effect to their perception about the reality. Addiction to these on line games had also reduced their time for physical activities therefore bringing the problem of obesity. Dr Robinson from the British Nutrition foundation said 40% of boys and 60% of girls were found to spend less than the recommended one hour per day in physical activity (BBC News).Moreover, child pornography on the internet is one of the bad practices that the internet has been able to cultivate. Aside from children being used as prostitutes, other young children also visit pornographic sites. This does untold psychological damage to these children as they do not know what is right and what is not. They are sometimes compelled to practice what they have seen, thereby contributing to the increasing level of moral decadence. Also the danger of teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other forms of bad deeds has been blown out of proportion by exposure to the internet.The most controversial and frightening contribution of the internet is the opportunity that it provides for act of terrorism. Terrorist are availing the opportunity to connect with the internet and used this artifact as a propaganda tool (Anderson 25). Acts of terrorism can now be perpetuated now, easier than to begin with with the use of the internet. The most benign way of this act is the production of venomed softwares in the form of computer viruses, worms, Trojans and crawlers. This causes instability of these computer machines, to the detriment of the user.every machine that is connected to the internet is potentially a broad casting station, a printing press or a place of assembly, terrorists can now disseminate their information undiluted by the media and untouched by government censors. In the past, the al-Quaeda had benefited from the extensive use of the internet not until their network was intercepted. The following statement, which basically tackles on how terrorists actions were improved through the aid of the internet, was cited in Andersons work (2003).Using the Internet for communication can increase speed of mobilization and allow more dialogue between members, which enhances the organizations flexibility, since tactics can be adjusted more frequently. Individuals with a common agenda and goals can form subgroups, meet at a target location, conduct terrorist operations, and then readily determine their relationships and re-disperse (27). Documents accessed through internet connection also provided the Al-Queada to obtain details regarding the design lay out of the World Trade Center which contributed to the success of making their plans.The Al-Queada group had developed their action in using the internet as a tool for terrorism. It is alarming to think that future terrorists would follow the step taken by the mentioned group and may even develop more powerful and sophisticated programs that would aid in the threat of terrorism. The internet had initiated the risk of cyber terrorism. Internets role in shaping todays culture is indeed remarkable and at the same time threatening. Pioneers of the internet may have the pure intention to bring the world in the state of modernization.However, it is sad to know that upon the onset of modernization comes the threat and harm that the internet posed. Overuse, misuse and overdependence of people in this technology will in no doubt bring several detrimental effects. As discussed from the examples above, actions of people as well as their cultural identity are negatively being altered by the mere presence of the internet. The world is increasingly been described as being westernised since everyone, especially the youth, are increasingly turning to the way of life of the Americans and Europeans.The internets original purpose of making information accessible, sharing this information in a fast pace and making long distance communication possible had been abusively used by some people therefore bringing a negative impact on the societys culture. Our world nowadays is continuously progressing and accompanying this progress is the innovation of new artifacts. Truly, these new artifacts had taken a vital role in shaping our societys culture as well as shaping the minds of people. These innovations would be more likely to be inevitable.Every new artifact is invented to somehow benefit and bring people a comfortable way of living, however, one should not overlook the harm that these new artifacts may bring. Every time that we take a step towards advancement comes the opportunity for societal and cultural change. These changes bring forth several issues and problems that are more likely to have negative outcomes. The internet has had its effects on society at present and it will have its effects in the future. The future of the internet is faced with the question on how management of change and evolution would be done.The internet has got the potential of turning the world to a single-culture, single language world. This would have far reaching effects as it would eliminate the many world cultures that have been built since the beginning of time. All the ancient civilizations are still visible today because they have been preserved in one way or the other. Because of this, people travel to these locations as tourists. In this way, the memories are kept alive. The rate the internet craze is going, this trend is likely to be reversed since people can see these locations on the screens of their computers.Let us not keep ourselves to be tongue tied and see how the negative outcomes abolish our cultural and societal identity. We should act on this matter. Action, they say, is louder than voice. Work Cited Anderson, Alison. Risk, Terrorism, and the Internet. Knowledge, Technology & Policy 16 (2003) 24-33 BBC News, Health Symptoms in Obese children. 16 May 2008 . Brief History of the Internet. 28 May 2008 . Clemmitt, Marcia. Prostitution debate. CQ Researcher, May 23, 2008 CQ Researcher Online. Capella Lib.29 May 2008 . Downs, Martin F. Is pornography addictive. 16 May 2008 . Greenblatt, Allan. Televisions future. CQ Researcher, February 16, 2007 CQ Researcher Online. Capella Lib. 29 May 2008 . Leiner Barry M. , V. G. Cerf, D. D. Clark, R. E. Kahn, L. Kleinrock, D. C. Lynch, J. Postel, L. G. Roberts and S. Wolff. Brief History of Internet. 10 December 2003. Internet society. 28 May 2008 .