There are many things, in today’s world, that society as whole takes for granted. We can do so many things and not give it a second thought. Things such as communicating with a friend who may live 2,000 miles away, in mere seconds. No more waiting weeks, maybe months to get a response. No more having to use ones’ brain to figure out difficult math equations. Modern technology has fixed what Vannevar Bush would call a problem, though some, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, would probably not have considered this a problem at all. That is until things became easier and more efficient.
Vannevar Bush would argue that this advance in technology was much needed and anticipated. We now have the ability store information in a mechanism that can hold the information for us for an indefinite period of time. We no longer have the risk of losing information, as long as it is stored correctly, and we can retrieve it whenever the need for it emerges. The internet also offers us a wider range of information. We can now be doing research and by typing in the desired topic find a plethora of information much easier than going to the library, searching book shelves, and digging through the books until we finally find what we’re looking for.
Blogs can also be a useful source of information. Finding the right blog gives one the ability to electronically interact with other people who have similar interests. For instance, a philanthropist creates a blog that includes their findings and ideas. Another philanthropist happens to run across this blog, either disagreeing or agreeing with the ideas of this person. Whether the two are in agreement or not, ideas can now be shared and perhaps the ideas of both persons can evolve.
“Science has provided the swiftest communication between individuals; it has provided a record of ideas and has enabled man to manipulate and to make extracts from that record so that knowledge evolves throughout the life of a race rather than an individual”
This is something that Bush felt was very important and the internet has granted us the capability to do this. Bush also believed the use of science enhanced everyday life, “they have increased his control of his material environment.” What he means by this is that things that go on in day to day life have improved. We have better materials because they are easier to manufacture, now that we have machines that can quickly produce hundreds of goods at a time rather than an assembly line of people who couldn’t possibly produce as much. These goods are also easier to come by with the internet. People can now purchase not only clothing but household goods and even food without even leaving their homes.
Vannevar Bush would argue that this advance in technology was much needed and anticipated. We now have the ability store information in a mechanism that can hold the information for us for an indefinite period of time. We no longer have the risk of losing information, as long as it is stored correctly, and we can retrieve it whenever the need for it emerges. The internet also offers us a wider range of information. We can now be doing research and by typing in the desired topic find a plethora of information much easier than going to the library, searching book shelves, and digging through the books until we finally find what we’re looking for.
Blogs can also be a useful source of information. Finding the right blog gives one the ability to electronically interact with other people who have similar interests. For instance, a philanthropist creates a blog that includes their findings and ideas. Another philanthropist happens to run across this blog, either disagreeing or agreeing with the ideas of this person. Whether the two are in agreement or not, ideas can now be shared and perhaps the ideas of both persons can evolve.
“Science has provided the swiftest communication between individuals; it has provided a record of ideas and has enabled man to manipulate and to make extracts from that record so that knowledge evolves throughout the life of a race rather than an individual”
This is something that Bush felt was very important and the internet has granted us the capability to do this. Bush also believed the use of science enhanced everyday life, “they have increased his control of his material environment.” What he means by this is that things that go on in day to day life have improved. We have better materials because they are easier to manufacture, now that we have machines that can quickly produce hundreds of goods at a time rather than an assembly line of people who couldn’t possibly produce as much. These goods are also easier to come by with the internet. People can now purchase not only clothing but household goods and even food without even leaving their homes.
Now, however, we have to ask ourselves if it is all worth it. Yes, it maybe easier to sit at home and shop online, but what happens to the interaction with other people. If one can sit at a computer desk and purchase all their clothing and food, why even leave the house. We now lose the social interaction that brings society together and makes us a democracy. According to Nathanial Hawthorne, “the inventions of mankind are fast blotting the picturesque, the poetic, and the beautiful out of human life.” With the act of instant messaging people we lose the one-on-one interaction with people that makes life worthwhile. The internet allows us to produce a bubble around ourselves that other people don’t need to penetrate. Why should we go to a department store where we might have to deal with hundreds of people all wanting to look at the same rack of clothing when we can just go straight to the article online and purchase it with a click of the finger.
Online shopping isn’t the only problem though, the internet also allows a variety of different options to keep people entertained. There are games people really become addicted to. The use the games to forget about the real world when they don’t want to deal with it. But dealing with the real world is what makes us whole. People need to be able to learn from their actions and the actions of others, but too many people are using online gaming as a form of coping. This doesn’t teach one how to deal with things that may pop up in the future, it only allows one to forget about their problems for the time being and worry about what is happening in the World of War craft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8hfK3RQs2g
Also, while the internet can be used as a form of study and can help with the expansion of the mind, with all the sites that can be visited to play games, watch videos, listen to music and communicate with people, the internet can also pose as a distraction. Writing a paper can be very difficult with a wandering mind and the easy access to a host of different things.
Online shopping isn’t the only problem though, the internet also allows a variety of different options to keep people entertained. There are games people really become addicted to. The use the games to forget about the real world when they don’t want to deal with it. But dealing with the real world is what makes us whole. People need to be able to learn from their actions and the actions of others, but too many people are using online gaming as a form of coping. This doesn’t teach one how to deal with things that may pop up in the future, it only allows one to forget about their problems for the time being and worry about what is happening in the World of War craft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8hfK3RQs2g
Also, while the internet can be used as a form of study and can help with the expansion of the mind, with all the sites that can be visited to play games, watch videos, listen to music and communicate with people, the internet can also pose as a distraction. Writing a paper can be very difficult with a wandering mind and the easy access to a host of different things.
It’s easy to agree with both Vannevar Bush and Nathanial Hawthorne because both make valid points. However, the internet has lead us further than we could have ever imagined and while it could be seen as a threat to society, in all actuality it connects us with people we may have never had the opportunity to meet. Even if it is through a computer one can still receive the insight others have to offer and as long as people take care and don’t become too consumed with the distractions and isolation of the internet I believe it will continue to help us better understand things.
Internet Studies Syllabus
Internet Studies Syllabus
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