Brian Tombs

SLM 521

Silicon Snake Oil Elective

Internet Outlooks

After reading certain excerpts from Clifford Stoll’s book and reviews on it, there are varying viewpoints on the subject of the usefulness of the internet. This is a controversial topic and there is plenty to comment on. This book helps people gain perspective on a highly sensitive issue and develop opinions for themselves.

Communities

Stoll argues that many people believe that the computer network is an impoverished community. He says that there is a lack of churches, art galleries, cafes, and humanity. He believes that the computer network is contributing to the downfall of society. I do not feel that the computer network is causing these problems. Instead, I believe that a lack of family values can contribute to society’s downfall. We are failing in those areas, not computers.

Team Work in School

Clifford Stoll states that the computer is being relied on too much as a mathematical tool by children. For example, he believes that students often use the computer to solve math problems rather than working it out cognitively. They often miss out on the interaction with other students when problem-solving when they only use the computer to assist them. I tend to agree with Stoll on this issue because when you interact with others, you learn that they are a variety of ways to solve problems. Many students today rely on the teacher or the computer to give them answers instead of having to find the answers themselves. They are used to being spoon-feed, and do not like to do the work themselves.

Resource Tool

Clifford Stoll believes that children and teachers rely too much on the Internet for information about places like the Rain Forest. He feels that children should be actually going to places like this and exploring, rather than just going on the Net and taking “virtual field trips.” I agree that it would be wonderful if children could go to the actual places, but it is not always possible for many reasons such as, cost, safety, location, liability, and time. It would be impossible for any American classroom to physically go to the Brazilian Rain Forest. I think that it is better for kids to at least read about these interesting places around the world on the Net and to take that “virtual field trip.” At least they will have an opportunity to learn about something new and visualize what it looks like even if they can’t get there physically. The visuals do help the kids understand a little better about any topic when they can see what is being discussed or covered in class.

Today’s’ Internet Hustlers’

Stoll argues that the Internet today is just like Moses’ destruction of New York. Moses came into the city and created highways and byways that took over people’s homes and pushed them out. He believes that this creation resulted in overcrowding and large amounts of noise and distraction. He then relates that destruction of New York to today’s Internet “hustlers’ are destroying our communities. He feels that these hustlers tempt people with ideas about how wonderful the Internet is and how it is like an escape from reality for them. He believes that these hustlers are taking away the necessary human interactions that people need to survive. The social needs of people are being left behind and overlooked for a faster/easier way to do things according to many Internet supporters.

Communication as a Necessity

Clifford Stoll believes that the most important aspect of life is human interaction and that the computer networks take that interaction away. This belief is apparent throughout his entire book. I really tend to agree with this because I often see people with poor social skills due to the fact that they rely on the computer as their main source of interaction. They lack the ability to interact with humans, which result in social limitations. This can also affect people vocationally when they attend a job interview and do not know how to communicate with the interviewer. They do not understand proper behavior in the social setting.

Conclusion

Overall, Clifford Stoll makes many good arguments about how the Internet can cause problems throughout society. For example, I agree that the Internet can have an affect on an individual’s social development by causing people to rely on computers instead of face-to-face interaction. However, I do see many negative aspects in his book about the Internet as well. For example, he tends to focus on the issues as “black and white.” He does not the “gray area” or middle ground on those issues.