Civilization Shaping Tech: The Internet

Hello and welcome fellow futurists! Today we tackle the number one civilization impacting technology: The Internet. I recently conducted a poll and asked, of the 4 listed technologies, which has had the great impact on humanity. The results were obvious:

Prologue

Up to now, there have been some common themes. Each information technology advancement has generally improved society. People, humanity in general, have had more opportunities, standards of living have increased, more people have been recipients of the benefits. These changes were not without problems, even death and war.

They also have had several lessons in common: Job disruption, changes in how and where people live, questionable benefits to the social nature of people, and their misuse in the hands of the powerful.

In this writer's opinion, it may be too early for us to declare the next three technology shifts as a net good for civilization. We'll examine its positives and negatives. When we are all done, we can try to put together the pieces of all the lessons learned and better determine how we might adapt to the changes happening now.

Good or Bad?

As the world continues to evolve at an ever-increasing pace, there are few inventions that have had such a profound impact on society as the internet. The internet has fundamentally changed the way we communicate, work, and live our lives. The impact of the internet is so significant that it has been compared to the invention of the printing press and the industrial revolution. In this newsletter, we will explore the positive and negative impacts of the invention of the internet on society and how it has changed our lives forever.

For the sake of accuracy, the internet was invented in 1983, and its foundation was in the 1970's through Universities. However, its impact on civilization began with the World-Wide-Web and the Netscape/Mosaic Browser in 1994.

Before the invention of the internet, life was very different. Communication was limited to face-to-face conversations, telephone calls, and letters. Information was also much harder to access, with libraries and books being the primary source of knowledge. The internet has changed all of that. It has made communication faster, easier, and more accessible. It has also made it possible for people to access an unprecedented amount of information at their fingertips.

One of the most significant positive impacts of the internet has been on communication. The internet has made it possible for people to communicate with each other no matter where they are in the world. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have made it easy for people to connect with friends and family, share information, and stay up-to-date with current events. The internet has also made it possible for people to work remotely and stay connected with colleagues in different parts of the world.

Another positive impact of the internet has been on education. The internet has made it possible for people to access an unprecedented amount of information at their fingertips. Online courses and tutorials have made it possible for people to learn new skills and improve their education without having to leave their homes. The internet has also made it possible for people to access information from all over the world, making it easier to research and learn about different cultures and perspectives.

However, with all these positive impacts come negative impacts as well. One of the negative impacts of the internet has been on privacy. With the increasing amount of information available online, it has become easier for companies and governments to track and monitor people's activities. Personal information is also more vulnerable to cybercrime, as hackers can steal data and use it for fraudulent purposes.

The internet has also made it easier for people to be exposed to cyberbullying and online harassment, which can have a detrimental impact on mental health.

Another negative impact of the internet has been on socialization. While the internet has made it easier for people to connect with others, it has also made it easier for people to isolate themselves from others. Social media platforms can create a false sense of connection, leading people to spend more time online than interacting with others in person. This can lead to social anxiety and feelings of loneliness.

The internet has also had a profound impact on the way we work. While it has made it possible for people to work remotely and stay connected with colleagues in different parts of the world, it has also made it easier for companies to outsource jobs to other countries where labor is cheaper. This has led to job losses and income inequality, as people in developed countries are often paid more than people in developing countries. The internet has also created a 24/7 work culture, where people are expected to be available and responsive at all times, leading to work-related stress and burnout.

In conclusion, the invention of the internet has had a profound impact on society, both positive and negative. It has fundamentally changed the way we communicate, work, and live our lives. While the internet has made it possible for people to connect with each other and access an unprecedented amount of information, it has also created new challenges, such as privacy concerns and social isolation. It is up to us to ensure that we use the internet responsibly and make the most of its benefits while mitigating its negative impacts.

Lessons

Adding these previous lessons since they all can apply.

• Lesson #1 - New information technology brings change.
• Lesson #2 - New information technology shifts power from those who previously controlled the flow of information.
• Lesson #3 - Certain jobs become obsolete. Forcing people to lose there job and to adapt.
• Lesson #4 - Those whose power is shifted will fight the technology bringing the change.
• Lesson #5 - New information technology can be used for good, such as medical research, or for bad such as making nuclear bombs.
• Lesson #6 - There are real dangers in the introduction of civilizational shifting new technology.
• Lesson #7 - Civilizational shifting new technology affects freedom and control.
• Lesson #8 – The more people the new technology affects, the faster and larger the change will be.
• Lesson #9 – There are unintended consequences with the use of new technology that are hard if not impossible to predict.
• Lesson #10 - Civilizational shifting new technology brings new business opportunities.
• Lesson #11 – These new business opportunities can have adverse effects on the global population.
• Lesson #12 - Some civilizational shifting new technology has the potential to destroy civilization.