The internet is shit.

[friendlyfloridian]

The internet is shit.

 

It is vitally important that we all realize this and move on. People (eg Bloggers) go on and on about how wonderful it is. About how much information is out there in cyberspace. About the way that everything is within reach in just a few clicks of their mice.

 

For instance:

 

"If I can operate Google, I can find anything... Google, combined with Wi-Fi, is a little bit like God. God is wireless, God is everywhere and God sees and knows everything. Throughout history, people connected to God without wires. Now, for many questions in the world, you ask Google, and increasingly, you can do it without wires, too."

 

Alan Cohen, V.P. of Airespace, a new Wi-Fi provider, New York Times, 6/29/03

 

I can name 20 people from my old school class who aren't in Google. I can walk into any public library, no matter how tiny and underfunded, and find facts, stories, amazing information I would never touch in a month of webcrawling. I can go into a bar and hear stories Usenet hasn't come close to in its 22 years of waffle. "Oh but what about the stuff you CAN get on the web?" the netheads say. But they're missing the point.

 

The internet is not the sole basis upon which you can determine existence. It sounds simple but people are starting to forget. If it doesn't have a website, that doesn't make something low quality. If you can't Google your blind date, that doesn't make them a freak. If one website says something about anything, it's more than likely pure invention and shouldn't be taken seriously. Checking your sources does not mean finding another website that says the same. Fiction is self-perpetuating.

 

Let's say it another way. A URL is not a mark of quality. It's not proof of honesty or approval from the FDA. Sure, people say they know this already, that a lot of the internet isn't true and a lot of it isn't interesting, no matter how angst-ridden and attention-seeking its author. But still we praise the internet for everything, from mobilising global protests to creating the latest trends, while disappearing up its backside and discarding anything outside it as 'out of touch'.

 

While we ascribe every first-world miracle to the electronic age, there's something truly missing that we once had in our grasp: our sense of wonder. Back in 1995, we were surprised, agog when things appeared on the net. People starting going around saying 'wow, this could really become something'. Slowly (very slowly at 16kbps), strange websites, new information, odd diversions and discussions with people around the world appeared in this brave new world. Each time it was met with surprise and delight, even if some of it was deeply obscure and slightly dull. There was no doubting the potential of the medium.

 

And look what we've done with it. Food wrappers and soap operas now tell us to visit their websites. Money is pumped online by people who can't even spell HTML. All manner of pointless and irritating content is continually poured down the infinite hole of data, unfiltered and over-appreciated. In accepting freedom of speech, we can't hide from its consequences - which in this case is millions of terabytes of unreliable information, badly designed and clumsily written. We have failed our own creation and given birth something truly awful. We're just too busy cooing over the pram to notice.

 

We need to start again. We need to stop saying how wonderful things are. We need to openly, truthfully and respectfully admit that the internet itself, in almost all of what's been done with it, is shit.

 

There's no point in undoing what has been done. What we need to do is to change our attitude. The internet isn't new any more. The evangelists have done their job. Everyone's heard of it even if they don't spend their lives logged on. Now its the job of the congregation to revolt. Chant it from the rooftops, spread it across your server, email it to your friends. The internet is shit.

 

And then what? Then we can move on. If we truly understand that the internet is shit then maybe we'll go back to looking elsewhere to check our information instead of just Google. Maybe journalists will do proper research again. If we remember that the medium isn't the message then maybe we'll stop aimlessly surfing for something amusing when we could actually be doing something fun. And, crucially, if the internet is just seen as occasionally unavoidable, maybe those websites that give us something special will be all the more amazing for it.

 

Give an infinite number of monkeys typewriters and they'll produce the works of Shakespeare. Unfortunately, I feel like I'm reading all the books where they didn't. I can't wait for the day when the internet makes me rejoice in its possibilities again. But right now, it's shit.

[danielmclark]

...he said, in an online article.

[danielmclark]

This part cracks me up:

QUOTE

If we truly understand that the internet is shit then maybe we'll go back to looking elsewhere to check our information instead of just Google. Maybe journalists will do proper research again.

As if there was never any false information, rumor or speculation before the internet. As if journalists never filed a fluff piece or cut corners in their fact checking. As if printed books were always flawless bits of truth incarnate - because god knows our school history books (written, edited and/or vetted by people with philosophical agendas) *never* lied to us.

 

Yeah, the problem *is* the internet. But the problem is not that the internet is shit. The "problem" is that the internet has made it impossible to ignore all the shit that came before it. It is humanity's Watergate. It has made it harder for people to lie because all it takes is one video to make its way to YouTube for the truth to get out. It makes it harder for journalists to make up facts because there are now citizens all over the world that can shoot those journalists down with the truth if they try.

[thesweetscience]

QUOTE (danielmclark @ May 9 2012, 11:45 AM)

...he said, in an online article.

[Merely Space]

The internet isn't shit. It's amazing technology. It's what people do with it that can be shitty.

 

Just another self-righteous prick.

[ghostworks]

QUOTE (friendlyfloridian @ May 9 2012, 10:41 AM)

The internet is shit.

(you're almost there)

 

the internet is fine

 

it's people who are shit

 

QUOTE (friendlyfloridian @ May 9 2012, 10:41 AM)

...the internet is not the sole basis upon which you can determine existence. It sounds simple but people are starting to forget. If it doesn't have a website, that doesn't make something low quality. If you can't Google your blind date, that doesn't make them a freak. If one website says something about anything, it's more than likely pure invention and shouldn't be taken seriously. Checking your sources does not mean finding another website that says the same...

 

^ smart people know this

 

idiots do not/don't care

 

the world is weighted overwhelmingly toward the ignorant - they're going to blindly trust Wikipedia etc (and expect others to do so) regardless of the alternatives... or the facts

 

so don't blame the internet

 

it's been this way for a long, long time

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ghostworks]

QUOTE (Merely Space @ May 9 2012, 10:58 AM)

The internet isn't shit.  It's amazing technology.  It's what people do with it that can be shitty.

(you're almost there)

 

it's people who are shit

 

QUOTE (Merely Space @ May 9 2012, 10:58 AM)

...just another self-righteous prick.

 

^ you should make that your sig

[danielmclark]

QUOTE (ghostworks @ May 9 2012, 10:27 AM)

QUOTE (Merely Space @ May 9 2012, 10:58 AM) ...just another self-righteous prick.   ^ you should make that your sig Rumor has it that's a line that Neil was going to include in You Bet Your Life but dropped it at the last minute.

[BeOhBe Bob]

tl;dr

[OldRUSHfan]

People just have to quit being lazy and do their own research....on the other hand...

[1-0-0-1-0-0-1]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/1001001/motivational/internet.jpg

[ILSnwdog]

QUOTE (1-0-0-1-0-0-1 @ May 9 2012, 12:44 PM)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/1001001/motivational/internet.jpg

Very true!

 

I'm reminded of that fact everytime I read anything posted by my sister-in-law on Facebook.

[invisible airwave]

"The internet is completely over." - Prince

 

Whatever you say, purple clad midget.

[USB Connector]

Sounds like the websites you visit are absolute crap. The internet is a great place is you know where to look. Tired of being overrun by ads? download adblock: BAM no more ads. Tired of misinformation? Keep to news sites, encyclopedia brittanica and scholarly news sources like scientificamerican.com. The internet has something for everyone ranging from the cesspools of society to the most elite. The internet is awesome if you know where to look and how to use it.

 

Your article seems to imply that you do not know how to do one or both of those things.

Edited May 9, 2012 by USB Connector

[invisibleairwaves]

QUOTE (danielmclark @ May 9 2012, 08:52 AM)

This part cracks me up: QUOTE If we truly understand that the internet is shit then maybe we'll go back to looking elsewhere to check our information instead of just Google. Maybe journalists will do proper research again. As if there was never any false information, rumor or speculation before the internet. As if journalists never filed a fluff piece or cut corners in their fact checking. As if printed books were always flawless bits of truth incarnate - because god knows our school history books (written, edited and/or vetted by people with philosophical agendas) *never* lied to us.   Yeah, the problem *is* the internet. But the problem is not that the internet is shit. The "problem" is that the internet has made it impossible to ignore all the shit that came before it. It is humanity's Watergate. It has made it harder for people to lie because all it takes is one video to make its way to YouTube for the truth to get out. It makes it harder for journalists to make up facts because there are now citizens all over the world that can shoot those journalists down with the truth if they try.

[workingcinderellaman]

QUOTE (ILSnwdog @ May 9 2012, 01:24 PM)

QUOTE (1-0-0-1-0-0-1 @ May 9 2012, 12:44 PM) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/1001001/motivational/internet.jpg Very true!   I'm reminded of that fact everytime I read anything posted by my sister-in-law on Facebook.     That's what really amazes me. Why oh why do people post things about themselves that makes them look like morons?

[TullSkull]

QUOTE (workingcinderellaman @ May 9 2012, 02:52 PM)

QUOTE (ILSnwdog @ May 9 2012, 01:24 PM) QUOTE (1-0-0-1-0-0-1 @ May 9 2012, 12:44 PM) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/1001001/motivational/internet.jpg Very true!   I'm reminded of that fact everytime I read anything posted by my sister-in-law on Facebook.     That's what really amazes me. Why oh why do people post things about themselves that makes them look like morons? 'cause they think they are Cool!!! Just like them 3 bozos

[Ancient Ways]

QUOTE (invisible airwave @ May 9 2012, 03:18 PM)

"The internet is completely over." - Prince Whatever you say, purple clad midget.

Do computers fill your head with numbers?

Not me.

[Mr. Not]

QUOTE (USB Connector @ May 9 2012, 02:26 PM)

Sounds like the websites you visit are absolute crap. The internet is a great place is you know where to look. Tired of being overrun by ads? download adblock: BAM no more ads. Tired of misinformation? Keep to news sites, encyclopedia brittanica and scholarly news sources like scientificamerican.com. The internet has something for everyone ranging from the cesspools of society to the most elite. The internet is awesome if you know where to look and how to use it. Your article seems to imply that you do not know how to do one or both of those things.

Google Scholar works too

 

I trust .edu .gov source mainly, with a few .coms. You need to put your trust somewhere, ay?

 

 

 

friendlyfloridian, the cons of the internet according to what you've said are in condensed form:

1. Poor sources, blindly trusted information.

2. Adverts, monetization and stupidity. The internet allows people to make money off of their mediocrity: eg Celebrities on Twitter, Douchebags on Youtube...

3. Not exciting anymore. It ain't like it used to be!

 

Well.. That's a start, though the first highly depends on circumstance, the second is disturbing to know but you can easily ignore / avoid bothering with, and the third is... Poor.

 

Besides, these things were bound to happen - anyone can access the internet, so of course there's annoying contributors and millions who power them. I'm sure you help traffic of some sort of online gimmick, but don't have a problem with it... Someone else's POV: L. Gaga good, Rush bad.

 

Adding to your list a bit:

 

4. Reliance, the "Google Brain". kind of branching of what you've written, but you weren't very clear on. Many don't bother to learn or memorize information, because they can always just look it up. Spell check is awesome, right? Nope.

5. Gore, Certain Porn, Black Market, Hacking, Identity Theft, Stealing...

6. Isolation: with jobs and hobbies alike. Warcrafters deviating from their families dwelling the basement, Kids taking online classes (of course, this has pros as well)

7. Economical effects, seen above +Pirating and many other variables.

8. Creativity murder (I hate this one). Monkey see monkey do, replication is abundant and it works.

 

But hey, the internet has got a lot of pros too. The internet is what we make it, and your life is what you make it. Your use of the internet is your choice. For better or worse, you are free to be free my friend

 

[Chicken hawk]

You can do amazing things on the Internet, its not a small world anymore!

[HowItIs]

QUOTE (danielmclark @ May 9 2012, 08:45 AM)

...he said, in an online article.

 

Irony is NOT dead.

[An Enemy Without]

That's like saying books are shit because you got a paper cut.

[CrossedSignals]

QUOTE (An Enemy Without @ May 11 2012, 06:10 PM)

That's like saying books are shit because you got a paper cut.

True. Or like saying food is stupid because you're fat. Or oxygen is stupid because your cells oxidize and you die.

[invisible airwave]

QUOTE (workingcinderellaman @ May 9 2012, 04:52 PM)

QUOTE (ILSnwdog @ May 9 2012, 01:24 PM) QUOTE (1-0-0-1-0-0-1 @ May 9 2012, 12:44 PM) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/1001001/motivational/internet.jpg Very true!   I'm reminded of that fact everytime I read anything posted by my sister-in-law on Facebook.     That's what really amazes me. Why oh why do people post things about themselves that makes them look like morons? On the bright side, at least they don't have that Jersey tan like most douchebags.

[CruisingInPrimetime]

QUOTE (danielmclark @ May 9 2012, 11:29 AM)

QUOTE (ghostworks @ May 9 2012, 10:27 AM) QUOTE (Merely Space @ May 9 2012, 10:58 AM) ...just another self-righteous prick.   ^ you should make that your sig Rumor has it that's a line that Neil was going to include in You Bet Your Life but dropped it at the last minute.