- a weekly personal, academic blog about the internet-

(blog name inspired by the Straits Times. Brilliant wordplay huh thank you thank you!)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Introduction to Introduction

I've something to confess. The first time I saw the name of this module I was a bit cynical. Introduction to the Internet? At this time and age, is there a neanderthal who doesn't know how to use the internet to browse and communicate? Has anyone really not heard of MSN or Facebook? The infinitely pervasive and truly ubiquitous communication tool known as the internet is so essential to modern everyday living now that it sometimes feels like it's the only thing working with gravity to hold the world together.

I digress. After the first few lessons, I realized that there's so much more to just learning how to access the internet and its immeasurable amount of tools. Apart from gaining a bit more computing knowledge, such as
the difference between the internet and an intranet, I've realized that it's important to also understand how the world has been, and is, constantly shaped by the web socially, politically and culturally. The intriguing Google v China issue will have far-reaching implications. I can't wait to see how this pans out. Will the world's largest search engine get its way, or will the rising economic behemoth that is China emerge victorious?

The basic history and evolution of the internet isn't something to be overlooked as well. As George Orwell once said, "He who controls the past, controls the future." To have a better grasp of the exciting future that bears so much potential, we have to appreciate how and why the internet was created. Which is why you should attend every class despite it being 830 in the am, like me! :) Stay tuned for more.

1 comment:

  1. You attend EVERY class at 0830hrs on Tuesdays and Thursdays??



    Wow.

    ReplyDelete