I love the internet. I love what I can do, who I can talk to, music I can listen to, information I can find just with a bit of typing and navigation from site to site. I can talk to my sweet Kansas friend or my brother in law while surfing the 'net, listening to music, or checking with my Facebook friends. I particularly have enjoyed using search engines for research rather than the old-fashioned method of microfiche and periodic journals. I can go online and find coupons, which makes me happy. I can find out information about a restaurant, a concert, or a book. I can shop online and pay my bills too. I love spending time on the internet.
But there is a dark side to the internet. The internet allows people the anonymity to say whatever they desire, to slander one another, and to call one another vile names. Misinformation abounds on the internet, ruining reputations. Sites like Rate My Teacher allow students to anonymously rate their teachers and leave comments, hurtful comments as well as positive comments. Due to the site allowing anonymity, students can destroy hard-earned teacher reputations, allowing anyone who wishes to visit the site to see what horrible comments students make. The human brain takes years to mature, to fully understand the consequences of one's actions, but the internet allows students to vent about their teachers, ruin reputations, and they have no consequences for doing so.
Another dark side of the internet is the ability to insult anyone with no reprisals. Occasionally, I read comments people leave about various news stories, and they are often vile. Commentators can leave poorly spelled, poorly phrased comments for the world to see, and again, they can do it anonymously. The internet has reduced people's common sense, providing them with free speech opportunities they abuse. Moreover, some are able to leave semi-pornographic messages for any and all to read. I don't need to know that some girl got horney with her older boyfriend, and I can too. Ew.
I just discovered another site called Above Top Secret, a site I would never have found on my own if some of the crackpots who contacted me this past week hadn't mentioned it. Conspiracists are on it, leaving misinformation about all sorts of people and issues. I was bothered by this site because there is such gullibility in this world, and those who read the 'articles' might believe what is there. While research has grown easier, it seems as though few actually spend the time and energy researching both sides of an issue anymore.
We all know the internet allows stalkers and predators to carry out their fantasies and fetishes virtually unrestrained. Children fall victim when unsupervised on the internet as do adults. It's easy to find out information on someone. Peoplesearch and search engines similar to it allow visitors to find information on anyone. There are even sites that allow visitors to see the front of someone's house...from their computers!
The internet seems to allow anyone with any type of opinion a forum for their beliefs, including blogs like this. While there are so many positives about the internet, conversely there are so many negatives. I just don't know if I should rejoice in what the internet offers, including the negatives like pornography and personally invasive sites, or if I should be consider about the pervasiveness of the internet in our lives and in our culture.
