The nineties saw much of the world getting connected and using the internet for the first time. Since then, there has been a rise in both internet speeds and integration of the internet into daily life. Basically everyone now depends on their internet connection to stay in contact with their loved ones but this constant connection can also be very detrimental. For better or worse, the internet has permanently impacted the world. Here are four of the biggest ways the internet has forever altered the lives and behavior of our ultra-connected planet:
Hiding Bad Behavior is Harder
Prior to the internet, it was much easier to be a miscreant. Law enforcement struggled to communicate between jurisdictions, and accessing criminal backgrounds was a procedure that could take days. Now accessing the illegal activities of anybody can be accomplished with a few clicks of the mouse. This also helps citizens who are able to check up on anybody to assist in determining the possibly unsavory nature of an acquaintance or neighbor. There are databases full of offenders available to the public and methods to commit crimes have increased as the inter-connectivity has grown.
Physical Media is Dying
Remember how video killed the radio star? Well the modern take on this is how internet is killing physical media. Records, cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, and even Blu-ray discs are becoming less common every day. With the ability to download music and movies in seconds, getting in the car and driving to the store to buy entertainment is becoming unnecessary. Companies that rely on sales of physical media, be they music, video games, books or movies, are on a steady slide towards insolvency.
While this spells doom for some stores, the companies who sell downloaded content are booming. They do not have to pay to manufacture a physical object, such as a book or disc. Instead, they charge consumers for blips of electrical data that costs very little to produce.
It’s Easier than Ever to Look Stupid
Prior to the internet, if somebody said something in the heat of the moment, the statement might not spread very far or cause much damage. With the ability to post comments online instantly, those regrettable statements get a degree of exposure that was not possible before. The general public is even privy to the ranting’s of child actors and the flow of information doesn’t stop there. With the expanding universe of social media everyone’s opinion can be found instantly and the user can be held accountable for whatever they say.
Waiting is Passé
Waiting in lines, being on hold on the phone, and waiting for the TV news are all largely unnecessary. Banking online, doing business online, and following the news online has put an end to a lot of waiting. It also gets people used to getting what they want when they want it.
The impact of the internet can likely never be fully calculated. It is involved in almost every aspect of modern life and will only grow in importance as technology advances. As more and more services offer online options, this trend will only continue to rise.
Information Credit: USA Communications
