Carrie Derr

November 7, 2003

SLM 521

 

Silicon Snake Oil
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


            Clifford Stoll’s book, Silicon Snake Oil, provides all the negative aspects the internet will have on society today.  Below is a list of 5 points Stoll makes and some thoughts I have in response to them.

 

  1. Stoll claims that the internet does not allow for meaningful interactions with other people-ie. meetings with people in person.  Although I may not actually see the person on the “other side,” I am still able to communicate in “real time” with “real” people to discuss issues and ask questions through chatting (AOL, Yahoo Instant Messaging, etc).  Some people do have the capability of viewing the other person or talking with the other person through the use of microphones and little cameras.  Others can’t.  Either way, the internet provides an easy way of communicating that saves time and energy.  I may communicate with my profs and co-students via AOL and ask the same questions I would in a classroom without leaving my home. 
  2. Stoll makes the statement that email may be slower than “snail mail” and is impersonal.  I beg to differ.  My fiancé currently lives and works in Kenya, East Africa.  If it weren’t for email, we would only communicate once a week.  Email is fast and reliable.  People have the opportunity to say everything they wish to say in a manner that is low in cost (the only cost is the internet service) and fast.  Teachers may encourage the use of email by outlining its benefits and allowing students to use it for their communication in class.
  3. Stoll makes an interesting comment about the information on the internet often being untrue and misleading.  I would like to point out that information found in books, newspapers and magazines is not always completely accurate, either.  People are misquoted and their statements taken out of context all the time.  People need to be educated on how to determine if what they are reading is accurate or simply a half-truth.  Teachers may help their students learn how to distinguish from fact and fiction for both print and internet sources.
  4.  Stoll also believes the internet is not the best way to conduct business transactions.  However, many, many people purchase items over the internet 24 hours a day/7 days a week.  It’s a very convenient way for people to shop when they do not have the time or means to get to a store.  People are able to pay bills on-line and conduct their banking business.  People may need to learn how to shop smartly and which sites will be the best for providing the services they need.  As more and more children are educated, they are learning the skills they need to function using the internet to conduct their business.
  5. And finally, Stoll feels that libraries and other businesses are wasting money on computer services that will not help in the long run.  People must be educated on how to use the internet and other computer skills or they will not be able to obtain decent jobs later in life.  Teachers need the resources that libraries have access to so that they may teach their students these necessary skills for their future success.