A long, long time ago, perhaps 8000 years ago, a civilization created a writing system. This allowed members, who could read, the ability to record history that could be ‘remembered’ by future generations. Later, these written messages were used to communicate to people far away, spreading ideas across empires within months. The printing press allowed long messages to be mass produced in hours instead of years. An efficient courier system added alongside the printing press allowed the distribution of unaltered messages to thousands of individuals across the globe.
The Internet squashes these inventions like a bug.
It is estimated that over one billion people have access to the Internet. These people have access to the latest medical information, explosive information that undermines the power of military dictators, and up-to-the-second information on recent natural disasters. Local to International news can appear in your web browser instantly as it happens. At no other time has the general populace been so well informed on matters of importance.
And then there’s the porn. And the gambling. And the phishing scams and email spam. The online sexual predators. The online forums that deteriorate into calling one another Nazis. Websites devoted to letting people pretend to be pussy cats or medieval fantasy creatures with magical powers. The online games that provide us with a school, a shotgun and hundreds of scared digital students to shoot.
For everything wonderful, we have something equally vile and destructive. But it all happens extremely fast. Web 2.0 allows not just the rich and powerful to reach out and talk to everyone, but every single immature 14 year old with a hatred for immigrants. We stand on the cusp of a new era in collaboration and team work. Our society stands on the fence between greatness and utter filth.
But I propose to you that as the information grows, swirling around the world at light speed, if only a mere fraction of it is positive, if only an ounce shows progress against the tonne of stagnant, petty filth, the world will push forward at a breakneck speed, each day and every day, from now on.
Sure, most of us will roll in the mud of petty human existence, but if only 1 out of a million creates an idea, or gives relevant advice to a child, or finds a brilliant break-through that all others missed, it will make a difference. The rest of us insignificant information regurgitators will find it, link to it and forward it on. We might even digg it. It’ll go viral and within weeks, a billion people will know about it. And that’s power. Real power. The greatest power that’s ever been created by mankind.
Welcome to a brave new world. Watch your step.
