The internet has for better and worse changed the way we interact, shop and communicate in this day and age. While the exact date of the creation of the internet is not easily found there is a consensus that its formation began sometime in the early 60's. The idea was to take the growing computer technology and expand it into a "Galactic Network", whereby computers could share information world wide. We are living in the fast paced reality that they dreamed of. We can almost instantly have information, whether true or false, on thousands of topics. While the internet provides us with access to shopping, information, gaming, and social contact, it is not without its faults.

Until the early 90's, people went to their local markets, malls, and grocery stores when they needed goods and services. Catalog shopping was available, though its volume of purchases paled in comparison to what was purchased locally. TV offered some power of purchase but again most of what was purchased was done so locally. The growth of the internet has contributed to an increase in e-commerce according to the US census:
"In 2008, e-commerce grew faster than total
economic activity in three of the
four major economic sectors covered by
the E-Stats report. However, change
over time in the e-commerce share of
each sector’s overall shipments, sales,
or revenues continues to be gradual."
Manufacturing is the largest user of e-commerce. Nearly 40% of its transactions are handled electronically. People and businesses are changing their buying habits as sites like e-Bay provide a global swap meet. As a San Diego Chargers fan in the early 90's, finding a hat I liked came down to two choices, what was offered at Wal-Mart type stores or what was offered at sports specialty stores that tended to stock according to popularity. San Diego, after the Super Bowl loss and the drafting of Ryan Leaf, was buried at the bottom of their division and unpopular. This limited me to finding only one style of cap here in Arizona. This last year I had the choice of every style offered by the team as well as the Division Champ's hat. The change in my ability, as a fan and consumer, to purchase that item has been very satisfying.

Credit cards and electronic payments are the new currency of the world wide web. Because so much of what we do is electronic these days the need for security is great. The rise of "phishing", or what is in effect digital mugging, has created a whole industry of people trying to steal, trick, and scam you. Fortunately most sites now provide a basic level of security, but we must be ever diligent in making sure we are only giving our information to trusted and safe sites. Those providing the service must also provide for secure transactions in order to grow and protect their online identity.

In researching this blog and learning about the creation of the internet, it is quite refreshing to not have to rely on my parents' encyclopedia set that still has Germany separated by a wall. The information offered by a stroke of the finger far exceeds what I had to work with back in high school, where I had to go to the local library and hope they had informative books. There was no way for local libraries, short of phone calls, to communicate. We lived in a small town with no university access so if they didn't have the information I would change my research subject. The upside to the limited accessibility was that generally, when published, publishers and editors would fact check. Most of what was printed could be taken as accurate. In contrast, the internet allows unlimited access to post any information you like whether correct or incorrect. Wikipedia, at its start, was at times mocked for the information posted there. Through limited user submission and editorial oversight Wikipedia has gained a much better reputation in recent years. The use of the Internet for research can be both helpful and harmful. In researching, one has to learn to cross check and verify information.

The rise of Facebook and other social networking sites has given the world a very personal/impersonal way to communicate. Friends can be located and view the minutia of your life. I recently, in my bi-annual visit to Facebook, had a friend request waiting from a high school best friend. It was fun to say hi to him but seemed very voyeuristic and impersonal. I would rather call him to catch up. The downside to this impersonal communication is the rise in "Cyberbullying". Whether it is the ability to insult someone with out having to deal with the guilt, or just a need to finally say what you are thinking with no regard for feelings because you don't see the direct effect of your words, the rise of this form of abuse is getting some cultural attention. Actions and words, lacking visual or verbal feedback, must now, more than ever, be considered if we are to rein in the misinterpretation.

As is the case with new technology, there will continue to be trial and error in learning how to control and adjust. When cars first came out there were no stop signs or traffic signals and as the need for them arose they were created and used. The same can be said for the internet, we are creating the road signs and rules for its use. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a new era in human history, the era of world wide accessibility. Tread carefully as we build the new roads.