The Internet has transformed every aspect of our way life and this was highlighted while reading "An Apology for the Internet -- From the People Who Built it," written by Noah Kulwin. The article explains how the Internet transformed into an addictive, invasive monster from the first hand sources of the people who helped to make it. In the article they mention how the Internet has gone so far as to even corrupt the 2016 election of Donald Trump. The builders also inform how it has creeped into our private lives and turned the human side of us off. The engineers have turned a blind eye, and according to Chaslot, "They trust the structure," and accept what the Internet has become.
The Internet was supposed to be a good thing. It was supposed to connect people and spread helpful information, but that was the hippie talking. While looking deeper at the human subconscious, I realized that it was idealistic. The builders now realize this too. What was supposed to be information turned into cyber stalking and fake news, connecting people turned into hating people, and privacy became extinct. The reason the Internet would have never been a good place, is not because of the creators, it's because of us. Humans have a tendency to ruin things. It seems to be in our nature. The creators just made something they thought was cool, we transformed it. This is why we can't have nice things.
One of the main problems the Internet has, is that it is impossible to truly define. For the Internet has no definition because it has no rules. People are free to do whatever they want, say whatever they want. The Internet itself has no guidelines. It is a free-for-all filled with viruses, pop up ads, hate, and Russian bots.
In recent years, people have started to stop seeing each other as people. They are now numbers and problems waiting to be solved. The Internet doesn't care who you are, they care where you are and how much time you spend there. Companies forget about human emotions and feelings. They start to think of the Internet as a way to make money, they start to think of us that way, too. Forget about feelings, it's all about the amount of clicks. This goes back to my point about people ruining things. I don't think that the creators of the Internet need to apologize. It was bound to happen, as we do not have the best track record. No one can see the future, they didn't know, and they obviously regret it. The best thing we can do at this point is to be aware and to continue having conversations.
Why do humans feel the need to corrupt? Do you think the creators have to apologize? Is there a way to fix the Internet?
-Kylie Bronner
Like Kylie said, at this rate, there is nothing we can really do to change the way people view the Internet and the way people abuse it. There isn't any post, video, or quote that will change the minds of these people whose goals are to corrupt the Internet. I don't think that the people that created the Internet should be blamed because they only created it with good intentions. If the creators had known the Internet would create so many problems, hurt so many people, sway people's beliefs, and make people question everything around them, I think they might have been a little more hesitant on creating it and promoting it.
ReplyDeleteAs for Kylie's first question, I have no idea. Why do people feel the need to corrupt the Internet, or anything for that matter? My guess would be that they had an experience that made them behave the way they have. There is always the option that they just want to be pure evil with no reason to support their decision, but I think it is unlikely. It would be nice to have less conflict and debate regarding the Internet and the safety hazards it causes, but I don't think that it will ever happen.
Similar to how the Internet doesn't care about their users, and only cares about the clicks they are getting, the people who use the Internet also doesn't care about other users, which makes the Internet a repulsive place. Instead of taking in consideration other peoples' feelings, users simply aspire to get their argument across even if it means attacking people they don't know. The Internet is making people ruin each other, which in turn also ruins the Internet because people's only intention in using it is to denounce others who don't have the same perspectives as them.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure there's a method to fix the Internet because as the years go by, the Internet is only becoming worse. However, to think that the Internet might become a better place someday sounds nice, but that seems impossible with everything that is going on with the Internet. Also, as you stated the Internet has no rules and everyone is free to do anything they want, and without rules, there's no organization.