Does the internet really bring us together

Silicon Snake Oil:

Second Thoughts on the Information Super Highway

Elective #5

Here are 5 ideas from Clifford Stoll’s book "Silicon Snake Oil: Second Thoughts on the Information Super Highway" and my opinions of those ideas.

Information available over the Internet is often stale, incomplete, misleading, unreviewed, or simply wrong.

I agree with this statement partially because often times the information that you find on the Internet is out of date or was written by a student that has no knowledge of the topic. This problem is not just on the Internet because the same thing could happen in print. However, I do believe that there is quality information available online you just have to know where to find it and how to access it. This is just something that you have to be aware of and whenever you are researching you need to check where your resources are coming from whether they are found online or in print.

E-mail is clumsy, inefficient, and impersonal.

I agree that email if not used properly can be messy and unprofessional but if it is used properly with grammar and spelling corrected it can be a useful tool for those involved. Email can be used casually, to send a note to a friend, or professionally, to send a resume to a potential employer. Email is readily accessible in most places and almost all homes have at least one computer that is connected to the Internet. Email is something that can be checked and rechecked as many times as necessary this way information can be communicated when needed.

Stoll claims that computers are not necessary for most college studies.

In some cases I could see where this statement could be true for those majors that have no relation to the study of computers but now most professors require that papers and other assignments be typed up so that they look professional and uniform. Some professors are also pushing for projects and presentations to involve computer programs such as PowerPoint. So while the major itself has no basis around computers or technology it is still used for projects and other assignments.

Networks aren’t simple connections of cables and computers, they’re

cooperative communities.

I find this statement to be true because nothing is ever as simple as it seems and because those cables and computers are used to connect people from state to state and also all over the world. With the aid of the Internet you can talk to someone who is in the same room with you as easily as you can talk to someone who is half way around the world. What is important is how you use these resources. Children should be taught to use the Internet in a safe and secure manner and they need to know the precautions to take just as if they were talking to one of the kids they knew from school.

Computers isolate us from one another and cheapen the meaning of actual

experience.

While computers can be isolating they also can open up opportunities and experiences you might not be otherwise able to have. For example, being away from home at college the computer is the easiest way to talk to your parents, siblings, and friends without costing you extra money. Talking online or via email may not be as personal as a phone call or talking to someone in person but it opens up opportunity when no other option is available. As long as communication via the Internet is not abused or used for the wrong reasons I do not see any reason for people to talk online ro send emails when it is necessary.