The Internet is like alcohol in some sense. It accentuates what you would do anyway. If you want to be a loner, you can be more alone. If you want to connect, it makes it easier to connect.
— Esther Dyson, Interview in Time Magazine, October 2005
That quote above outlines why I laugh at the viewpoint that the Internet is evil. Like any medium, it is affected by the subjects, not itself. If you are morally bankrupt and filled with spite, the Internet has a place for you. If you are a bubbly, perky, go-getter, the Internet rolls the red carpet for you also. Just like real life, eh?
But the difference between the real world and the Internet is the power of invisibility. You can surf and surf. Read and read. And practically leave no trace of your real physical self or real mental state. Another freedom and equalizer: freedom to be invisible (mostly). Let’s just get right down to it; the Internet is freedom digitized with control!
I bring up this point because I’m wondering why people still put themselves in precarious positions on the ‘Net when they have more control in this digitized freedom. Is this just a fundamental failing of humanity that given enough rope, we tend to hang ourselves? Generalization added for effect.
I’m not complex. Don’t have time for all that. And all that complex stuff bad for the stomach. Just color me simple and plain with a twist.