I like guy from China's story. It's interesting how the speed of information dissemination on the Internet undermines the controls of political regimes. They're hard pressed to out run it - and it'll get harder for them.
I like that about the Internet. It opens up information and undermines controls.
If I’m tired and I want to do something fun, I’d rather watch TV. Less work.
I'm amazed how often I can "google" something, however obscure and almost always find what I'm looking for. I like the internet for that reason and also for the way it connects me to others.
Can the internet be used to breakdown ideological/spiritual regimes? I don't know. There are some pretty powerful people "out there." It will be interesting to see how the internet evolves and affects the global community. Hopefully, for the best!
I think that online communication opens up doors but many of the controls that governments/corporations have are real-time and physical so the internet can also function in reverse as a way of identifying and then prosecuting individuals. That part is a wee bit unsettling. Few things are as dangerous as when you think you are communicating privately but aren't.
Milton, It is unsettling. In fact, it would have been easy for me to forget to ask the interviewee from China if they wanted their face & voice blocked. This person didn't immediately think of it themselves (as they were enjoying the freedoms of Canada at the time) but after I asked, they told me that this video (unobscured) might end up putting them on a "watch list" which would end up with them having all their online activity directly monitored ... which could lead to deportation if they weren't very careful with their communications.
There's no question in my mind that the internet is a more powerful medium than television. It has way more potential for both good and evil. For instance, a business man interesting in the fight against Aids can hook up with a relief organization half way around the world. And a young girl considering suicide can visit a smorgasbord of websites designed to help teenagers kill themselves.
5 comments:
I like guy from China's story. It's interesting how the speed of information dissemination on the Internet undermines the controls of political regimes. They're hard pressed to out run it - and it'll get harder for them.
I like that about the Internet. It opens up information and undermines controls.
If I’m tired and I want to do something fun, I’d rather watch TV. Less work.
TV = Lost & 24 (need I say more??)
I'm amazed how often I can "google" something, however obscure and almost always find what I'm looking for. I like the internet for that reason and also for the way it connects me to others.
Can the internet be used to breakdown ideological/spiritual regimes? I don't know. There are some pretty powerful people "out there." It will be interesting to see how the internet evolves and affects the global community. Hopefully, for the best!
I think that online communication opens up doors but many of the controls that governments/corporations have are real-time and physical so the internet can also function in reverse as a way of identifying and then prosecuting individuals. That part is a wee bit unsettling. Few things are as dangerous as when you think you are communicating privately but aren't.
Milton,
It is unsettling. In fact, it would have been easy for me to forget to ask the interviewee from China if they wanted their face & voice blocked. This person didn't immediately think of it themselves (as they were enjoying the freedoms of Canada at the time) but after I asked, they told me that this video (unobscured) might end up putting them on a "watch list" which would end up with them having all their online activity directly monitored ... which could lead to deportation if they weren't very careful with their communications.
There's no question in my mind that the internet is a more powerful medium than television. It has way more potential for both good and evil. For instance, a business man interesting in the fight against Aids can hook up with a relief organization half way around the world. And a young girl considering suicide can visit a smorgasbord of websites designed to help teenagers kill themselves.
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