Title shamelessly ripped off a LOLcat picture. No, I haven’t turned jejemon. Heaven forbid.
The fact that this writing can be read online instead on a piece of paper somewhere just proves the pervasive power of the Internet. Years ago schoolwork like this would be found handwritten or printed, but definitely not in a blog. Indeed, the Internet is now integrated to the needs and lifestyle of this generation. From news, entertainment, time-wasters, information – if you thought about it, Google it and chances are, there’s a page somewhere in the vastness of the Internet devoted to that idea of yours. And if it doesn’t? Nowadays it’s very easy to create your own little niche in the online world, so no problem there.
This particular wonder called the Internet has made the world smaller and communication easier. Life has become more comfortable. The Internet brought us closer to our friends and loved ones, but it also made you rub shoulders (so to speak) with strangers. And the fact is, we’re rubbing shoulders with many, many strangers. The idea of 100 or even 1000 miles has become less daunting thanks to the fact that all it takes is Yahoo messenger, Facebook or Skype to bridge that gap, not an airplane, ship or a car trip. Our overseas friends are now a click away. So are troublemakers, hackers, trolls and other people we wouldn’t want knowing our passwords. And why would we have so many passwords to many sites and services in the first place? It’s because we have come to depend on the Internet for various comforts. Now, it’s not something to be strictly categorized as a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ thing, but it does expose us and our personal information to the online predators. On the flip side, the Internet has allowed us to enjoy some guilty pleasures, like piracy. Let’s face it, we like free things. I believe this is the biggest reason why piracy has the tenacity of a cockroach. The anonymous geniuses of cyberspace hand out free games and applications, which people download with a smile and the occasional ‘thank you’ comment (hey, politeness does exist online).
Okay, I know it looks like we’re standing on the edge of the downhill slide to pessimism now.
Mr. Gates nicely pointed out the Internet isn’t always rainbows and roses. True enough and I agree with that. And to disagree with Mr. Gates, I believe that the Internet’s ‘Wild West’ reputation isn’t completely unjustified, not when it’s free for anyone who has the means to use it. Moreover, people have a million different reasons to be online, and it doesn’t matter if people are online for kicks or for crime – no one can stop them from joining the cyber crowd. This freedom made the Internet flourish, but it also allowed for people of all stripes and hides to proliferate online. While there are talks of ‘Internet security’ and restrictions, trying to keep up with the unchecked growth and number of people already present online – which is a place of no formal authority – is a colossal task. If they ever come up with these rules, I think the online community would not take these ‘safety harnesses’ kindly.
And no, despite the apparent pessimism of my words, I don’t believe that the Internet is the herald of the end of the world, or anything less dramatic but still evil. Exaggerations aside, my belief is that as the Internet grows, so are its benefits and its headaches. It’s just that the Internet is a tool for everyone regardless of intent. Being optimistic is fine and dandy, but it would be a long time before our cyber-utopia happens.
(Bill Gates’ essay can be found here.)
caustic monologue 
“Let’s face it, we like free things. I believe this is the biggest reason why piracy has the tenacity of a cockroach.”
This line definitely made me laugh! But yes, I do agree that the freedom that we enjoy on the internet has made criminal acts hard to trace, and even harder to prosecute.
I love your title! I was so surprised that I had to stare at it before I realized that it was deliberate. I had to check if this is really your blog.
“I don’t believe that the Internet is the herald of the end of the world”.
True. As what was always my opinion, the Internet is evil just because we use it for evil. I don’t really think the World Wide Web was actually created to plan the end of the world after all. It is supposed to be beneficial for everyone. It’s just that a lot of people abuse the power that the Internet provides.
The original text in that LOLcats pic is ‘can i haz cheezburgers?’. I thought it was pretty…strange and funny, so there’s my title.
Yep, people abuse the Net, and there’s no one to stop them. Sure, different organizations have already taken steps to stop this abuse, but really, how could they do it? How could they ‘screen’ the Internet?
There are, I think, ways to screen the Internet. Like blocking certain websites. Unfortunately, the screening process is not as intensive as what was needed to be done when it comes to the proper use of the internet.
Thanks Ziddy! 😀
As long as people support piracy (directly or indirectly), I think it won’t disappear anytime soon. I think that the source of this problem runs deeper than mere mischief. It’s like undermining the system. Okay, so my ideas are still vague, but that’s the gist of it.
Hey, do not fault the pirates (namely me)! The legal ones are expensive!
But seriously, yes, the internet has redefined “freedom.” It has been redefining a lot of things hasn’t it? There is now a whole new meaning to freedom of expression, creativity, information, and communication. How internet has risen to this level is beyond me, but I’m glad that it is.
Hey, I just acknowledged that piracy is rather tenacious.
Yes wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
I think it’s very difficult for our generation to imagine life without the Internet. And what’s more, I think a few years ago we wouldn’t have foreseen this. Things move so fast nowadays, but I’m not really complaining.
Your quirky writing style never ceases to amaze me!
The long debate of piracy, especially with regard to online activity never gets tiring to mention. We do enjoy free things and the internet has become THE place for the “free trade” of things that aren’t exactly free in the material world.
Case and point, I’m watching Kuroshitsuji musical on youtube. I’m pretty sure it’s sold as a DVD in Japan but since ordering online and the price that comes along with the killer shipping fee, I’ll go with the free choice.
Pirate activity aside, I think it’s impossible to actually have a utopia– cyber or not. As you’ve written yourself, we go online for a variety of reasons. One way or another, two very different reasons would clash with each other. Utopia will remain to be a silly fantasy unless some mad scientist brainwashes everyone to think alike in ever aspect.
Thanks, dear! 😀
I don’t believe in a utopia either. I think it’s better off being an ‘ideal’ which inspires people (for good or for bad), since in real life application I think it means a world without free will or individuality. Philosophical meanderings aside, when I read Gates’ essay I got this feeling that he believes that there could be one. The thing is, just because it happened in the US (and it continues to happen, this more-Internet-availability thing) doesn’t mean it’s going to be as soon and smooth in other countries. Some areas don’t even have electricity or proper education. Modernization around the world isn’t happening at a uniform rate, and at times, the introduction of new technology is viewed with suspicion. Hello, China screening the Internet?
Precky! True, and SO TRUE. The two concepts of “free” found in the net have their pros and cons.
People are “free” nowadays, so to speak, to explore the world on their own without even having to stand. They’ve become empowered somewhat as anyone will now be able to reach out to the world to do business, and everything else.
The other “free” would have to be piracy. It’s so commonplace nowadays that I myself skip to ones I can simply grab or DL. There is a level of ease in acquiring stuff from the net that we can probably never achieve in the net. There’s instant gratification there; and perhaps, that’s the reason why we just won’t stop.
You win the Internet for the instant gratification point. 😀 Never thought about that. I think that because of today’s modern comforts making everything easier and faster, we simply have become impatient. There’s no point laboring over something for days if we could have it in hours…and for free too.
Oh piracy. I have to admit though, I hate it when it’s music that’s being pirated. I like giving musicians their due which is why as long as the price is reasonable, I like buying actual records instead of ripping them off online. BUT on the other hand, I am guilty of downloading several seasons of a TV series here and there. Ha! A hypocrite, I am. :))
As long as there’s the temptation and the perceived need for pirated music/movies/other digital data, piracy is here to stay. Real world authorities could try shutting down the sites, but as long as there’s a whole community out there dedicated to piracy and free file sharing, it’s a tough job for the cops and their merry company.
And yes…who could refuse something’s deliciously free? XD
Good day Franze. Lovely name.
Insightful comments from all your readership. Nonetheless I would want to raise a point to ponder.
The internet is a tool. It is an instrument. It doesn’t have a mind of it’s own. Like every instrument, it has it’s drawbacks. It has it’s disadvantages. Nonetheless, of course, it also has it’s advantages. That’s why it’s freakin invented and that’s why it’s still bloody here for crying out loud.
Change, of all things, is indeed something to be feared. To keep things simple though, it doesn’t take a PhD to be qualified in weighing advantages and disadvantages. Be the judge. If there are more advantages than disadvantages, keep it. If there are more disadvantages than advantages, gladly give it away. Ask yourself. Can you live without it?
When starting a mission, I am always amazed on all the hi-tech contraptions and gadgets the R&D department of M.I.6 headquarters gives me. Reliance to the gadget in completing a mission may not be too bad. Just remember the most important thing. If you are going to use it, be sure you know how to use it well. Because charm may not be enough to get your ass out alive when things go boom.
By the way, the name is Gamboa. Earl Gamboa. 😉