I guess for me when I read this chapter it kind of wakes me up a little bit. I never really thought how far the internet and what not have progressed since just the 1960's. Just 50 years ago we didn't have the technology we do today and it still just amazes me. This chapter has taught me a few things though that I had not been aware of before reading it. The Original Internet was called "ARPnet" and was used strictly for the military to use and had all of it's cool security advantages and what not. It was a very smart design. Not one person could control the internet. One person couldn't kick another off of the system. It just goes to show how far our civilization has advanced and another example of that is microprocessors. They where invented in 1971 and they have advanced to make personal computers and into today's computers that you see on the market now, which by the way are faster than any other compter we have seen so I give it credit. Now when a person goes onto the web, it is clearly not just for the military anymore like it used to be. Just for the first time if a person visited the web they would be appaulled at what they see. we have several different types and kinds of email available to us, Instant messaging is also really popular with lots of people today, blogs are common, social networking... People are finding friends from high school after 10 15 years of not speaking. couples are finding each other on dating sites.. This just goes to show how much the internet has advanced and how much people today rely on the internet and web.
Another issue I would touch on would have to be the government surveillance..The government re-enacted the "U.S PAtriot Act" which gave authorities the power to gain access to any files they so choose that could be a possible threat. If you ask me I really don't see how that posts any freedom for our citizens whatsoever. If the government sees fit they can just access my computer and see who I've talked to, what our convorsations where about, what websites I have visited, and anything else they so choose. The government says that this is so that they can track any online terrorists or terrorism to our country but as stated in the book, doesn't this seem a little to loosely worded? I personally do not agree with this myself. I have nothing to hide so i really don't care but i would rather not allow anyone to just view whatever they would like that is clearly my business.
Another subject on the internet is who and what should be allowed to be on the web. Who should all have access and what should they be able to put on or view on the web as well. Should pornography be allowed on the web? it's simply a click away for most kids to access if they know how. Should violent pictures and movies, and games be allowed on the web for just anyone to access? This is a problem that I see with the internet is how easy it is to get into whatever i want or please with just a click. Yes I feel that it is very convenient but is it too much? Does it really show how lazy our culture today really is? Fraud is very common today as well. People are stealing identities everyday because of the internet and the things people do on it. Credit cards are stolen online, bank information is stolen online, and in all reality its not that hard for someone to do. Who should have access to the Internet? About 75 percent of all americans are connected to the internet today. Most of them are people ranging from 18- mid 40's. Like stated in the book, it is a fight to see who should be allowed to have a computer and all internet services. Should it just be allowed to anyone who pleases? Or should they have to earn it and pay for the services like most people do? This is a fast paced world we live in today and to be honest it seems a bit hard to keep up with it all but as shown, we are making technological advances most people have never even dreamed of..
