Who creates (not created) the internet? I have never thought of this before. Or, who owns the internet? Groping for an answer to this puzzle, I began surfing until I was led to a blogger’s site: http://lessig.org/blog/ForeignPolicy.pdf.
Most parts left me awestricken. Lessig’s blog centres on gruesome monsters, called ‘commons’, invading the internet. Commons, I reckon, are courts and corporations blocking some portions of the cyberworld for selfish interests. Because of the commons, the innovative and democratic potentials of the internet as a resource and an opportunity are diminished. What pervades is an atmosphere filled with greed that fuels desire for more power. The disclosure of what the internet has become and is becoming caused me uneasiness and fear. I could imagine the looming destruction awaiting the cyberworld. How spooky!
As to the other parts, admiration overwhelms me, particularly Lessig’s mentioning of the initial objectives of the creators of internet. According to Lessig’s blog, internet aims to innovate all peoples all over the world and to open infinite doors for growth and development of human conditions. I was moved by the claim that USA promoted democracy not only on earth but also in cyberspace. Sadly, no one envisaged the twists and turns ahead. No one saw the dangers of a free cyberworld. No one seemed to have anticipated the probability of selfish desires overshadowing the potentials for equal sharing of opportunities.
Is there something I can do to avert this invasion? Nothing really that I could think of, except perhaps by disseminating this information to others, say students, family and friends, to heighten the level of their awareness of the situation. An individual may be powerless in the face of institutional greed, but by binding together with other individuals, possibilities are created.
Internet is a double-edge sword. On the one side, it opens doors leading to success in economics, education, commerce, politics, etc. On the other, it is a fiendish tool for scammers, hackers, and, yes, commons.
Let us keep our eyes open.
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HI Eulalia,
ReplyDeleteMy boys love surfing the internet... but for games. I keep on shouting and reminding them not to click open any pop-outs or try answering any quiz that appear on screen. Virus is lurking!... and also they are using MY computer. However, when they need to search for information related to their projects, they will plead me for assistance. Students nowadays.. take internet for granted.. they even use their own personal ID for online registration without any fear.. they are not aware of the consequences. I reminded my close ones not to reveal their full names, birthdates or phone numbers in their facebook or other sites.. as these are some of the keys to internet spywares. I made a mistake.. I used my full name for my blog and I don't know how to change it. I'm in trouble myself until ... i realise there are so many names with same surname as mine in the cyberworld : )