Is the Internet harmful or helpful to the national dialogue?

[hedgehog]

On the one hand, it allows the wildest rumors to spread with an aura of authority ("It says right here in this e-mail form my freind's brother-in-law's third cousin's ex-wife's hair dresser that Obama was born in Kenya.")


On the other hand, it allows the rest of us to find out what the whack jobs are talking about and to debunk the stories. It also allows us access to information the MSM tends to ignore. I can't tell you how many times my mother has told me about a story she just heard on the news that I saw discussed her on DU months before.

I also think the internet was instrumental in electing Obama since it allowed him to get his message out directly to so many people.

[RC]

1. Better off with the Internet.

Without it most people would have no clue how our news media(radio, TV, newspapers) is complicit in the dumbing us down to 3rd world status.

[StarfarerBill]

2. Sadly, many still don't recognize the corporate dumbing-down campaign.

But you're right; having the Internet as a resource for alternative news and views is definitely a plus.

Typo edit: "as", not "was"

[onehandle]

3. It's really the minority that are subject to believing the crapola generated by the Internet.

I believe the Internet is making more informed as a whole.

Although the Corporate Media has a lot more cash to get their message out over the 'net, the rest of us have a surprisingly equal footing to speak as well.

And then there's the Comcast Merger that may be the beginning of the end of the freedom of communication.

http://freepress.net/comcast

[Fumesucker]

4. It's much more difficult to throw stuff "down the memory hole" with da intertronz..

You can look up last week's, month's or year's lies and throw them back at the liars when they change their story.

[Laelth]

5. We are WAY better off with this medium.

As I argued here: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Laelth/36

:dem:

-Laelth

[madokie]

6. We'd be cooked gooses right now if not for the internet

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. Without the internet there would be no "national dialogue"

The best source of news would be that three hour block of MSNBC that will soon be extinct if the Comca$t takeover is allowed to proceed.

That and the relatively few people who can actually listen to progressive talk radio on a station with a signal that's even listenable during the day, let alone after sundown. (And not interrupted by various sports coverage)

[DailyGrind51]

8. Anonymity diminishes credibility and responsibility for content.

[robdogbucky]

12. Only by those

that seek to do so.

Most people participating on the internet, I have found, are sincere and do not abuse the status of anonymity on the internet. Of course there are no doubt some that do but I really think they are the minority. After all, this is the good ol' USA here at least, and the principle of "don't get caught," still seems to carry weight for the scofflaw element, bent on abusing every privilege and advantage made available. These are, of course, individual choices made.

On the other paw, the internet has fostered many systems that rely on honor and review and track record as well, to offset that characteristic you cited. EBay and other auction, sell/buy sites rely on credibility of users, which can only be established through trial and error and reliability of said users. It is essentially gossip, now being used for a good purpose. Your reputation on the net can only be established by you, and it is not easily done, nor easily diminished when done properly.

What think you of that?


Just my dos centavos

robdogbucky

[DailyGrind51]

14. You provide a good caseand probably live by a strong ethical code.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

9. No contest: Better

Internet or no, there's nothing that you can do for some people. But I'm not concerned about those people. The internet is an invaluable tool in fostering personal growth for those who use it for that purpose.

[walldude]

10. The internet is the most important invention in the last 50 years

Easily. The ability to transfer massive amounts of information instantly, the ability to confer with anyone anytime anyplace anywhere. Granted it used for really useless stuff as well, but the benefits to medical and scientific research alone make it one of the most important inventions ever. Just today I saw the Ruins of Pompeii while sitting at my desk. How can ya beat that.

[Greyhound]

17. I'd say since the 15th century.

We are still in the very early stages of this global revolution, how it will go is anybody's guess.

[robdogbucky]

11. No Brainer: Helpful

to the national dialogue, such as it is.

Double Example:

Due to the pervasive nature of the internet and its current applications, everyone here is familiar with the recent annual lament of the right, in re "War on Christmas," and how it is some new atheistic, godless, communist or otherwise plot to remove Christ from Christmas as we hear about almost every recent holiday season, no? The internet makes sure we don't miss that little gem every year.

Well, thanks to the internet, anyone here can click on the below link to a feature in the current Smithsonian Magazine that depicts famous artists' holiday greeting cards throughout history:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/photos/?c=y&articleID=69320392&page=34

Curious that a preponderance of those greeting cards, dating back to at least 1913, contain the "Xmas," shortened version of the word, and eschewing "Christ," in the main regarding holiday greetings. Doesn't it seem odd that "Christ," has been removed for a much longer period of time than the recent rantings, sent viral each year by the fundie Christo-fascist sympathizers, that it is the workings of a recent, evil cabal, bent on killing Christianity. Some of those cards, IMHO, are very good BTW.

Thanks to the internet anyone here can see for themselves that this has been going on for a very long time, not some insidious recent godless attempt to kill Christianity. I think they do quite a good job at doing that themselves.


Just my dos centavos

robdogbucky

[Greyhound]

13. Every new paradigm in communications has been met with strong resistance by the overlords of the day

The democratization of communications is always bad for them. We're living in interesting times.

If you let them control it, they will win.

[robdogbucky]

15. Agree and would add

"Every new paradigm in communications has been met..." also with unintended consequences.

No one could have seen the giant boost to commerce, research, overall (potentially) increased efficiencies in communications, nor could they see it contribute so greatly to the demise of the printed news as it existed. Or change the way we search for and apply to jobs, find old friends, have old friends find us, etc.

Most access to information I need on a daily life basis has been enhanced to wit, the weather, the news, prices, schedules, messages, status of appointment or meeting, etc. If I need to buy something instantly, or find a rare match to a broken piece of household china (I'm all paws) I can use the net and places like eBay and the Yellow Pages to do it. Movie times, airline tickets, groceries delivered. Check on status of our house for utility, communications bundle for phone cable internet, spare the air burning restrictions, garbage collection notices, library books electronically, library searches electronically, etc., etc., etc.

Horse/buggy meet car. Phone booth meet cellular. Gas station attendant meet ATM terminal.


More centavos

robdogbucky

[Uncle Joe]

16. I have no doubt, we're better off with the Internet.

Thanks for the thread, hedgehog.