What About The Internet Is Good, Bad, Or Just Downright Ugly

In 1995 I went to the movies, and saw what I thought, at the time, was one of the scariest films ever, (notwithstanding the horror genres of today), "The Net," with Sandra Bullock. I was totally freaked out, because during the film I thought the things in the movie could come true. After the movie I was relieved, because I "knew" the things in the movie were just science fiction, and could not come true. Alas, here we are in the 21st century. and not only could they come true, I'm sure some of the very things depicted in the movie can, and have, come true. (See the Video above)

Just think of some of the things you see on YouTube, you can be sitting at home and actually see yourself on TV, or YouTube, doing whatever it is you do in the privacy of your own home. Scary, huh!

This is the explanation I got from The Internet. "The Internet is an association of thousands of networks and millions of computers across the world, that all work together to share information." There's what's called main lines, and they are collectively known as the Internet backbone, they carry the majority of the traffic. This backbone is made up of the biggest networks in the system, and they are owned by major Internet service providers. In the US the main lines intersect at five points, and they are, San Jose, San Francisco, both in California, Chicago, Illinois, the New York city area, which is in Pennsauken, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. This quote is verbatim. "These Networks access points use high-speed networking equipment to connect the backbone to other networks. These networks are owned by smaller regional and local ISPs, ( Internet Service Providers), which in turn lease access to companies and individuals in the areas they serve." Enough of that now.

The Internet can be found on various and sundry items, such as, first and foremost the Computer, also, PSP, iPhone, Cell phones, Video games, the new tablets, such as the iPad, the Android products, (Samsung Galaxy, Tab, HTC, and more), etc.

Just about a month ago I diagnosed and successfully treated a condition that could have had far reaching ramifications for me, had I let it go on any longer. I spent hours in emergency, with no results, I, then, came home, plugged the symptoms into my computer, and found the cause and cure for my problem. That's just one benefit of the Internet, (lifesaving medical knowledge). We can also find our way around town, or around the world with the aid of the Internet Map, or the computerized GPS systems. Another thing, we can talk to (via email, text, IM, chat), or, make, friends around the world. In addition, we can go to school, obtain employment, even work from home online. Then there's shopping, for everything from groceries to clothing, and all things in between, thereby saving fuel, and making the world a greener place in which to live again. Obviously, there's more positive things that the Internet can be used for, but in the interest of brevity, I'll move on.

One bad thing for me, although it might not be for you, is I am becoming addicted. I have several email accounts, and I constantly check each one several times a day. Some spend inordinate amounts of time searching the worldwide web, thereby sitting for hours, even eating at the computer, at the expense of their waistlines, and their general health. Physical maladies are also sometimes associated with excessive use of the computer, conditions such as eye strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and much, much more.

Excessive use of the Internet causes anti-social behavior. One's friends become virtual, or faceless game buddies, and more, making it nearly impossible to foster real personal relationships. Socialization becomes harder, and harder as time goes on. Those are just a few of the "bad" things associated with the use of the Internet.

The Internet has become the playground of those trolling for illicit activities. Such as child molesters, pedophiles and the like. At one time these perverts would find their prey the old fashion way, by trolling the streets etc. Now, the Internet has made it easier to track down their unsuspecting prey. I won't go into details, but suffice it to say that is one of the ugly sides of the Internet.

Another is, spying on an unsuspecting victim. Small cameras can be placed anywhere in the home, workplace, etc, of the intended victim, without their knowledge, and lo and behold one finds themself on YouTube, or some other public medium, all without their knowledge. This is not to say that YouTube is the culprit. I, like others, enjoy a good YouTube video now and again, so let's not shoot the messenger, (YouTube). The Internet has also become the stalkers main instrument, being able to find his unsuspecting victim as easily as turning on his computer.

Pornography, which was at one time available only to those who worked hard to get it, now it is available to anyone, including the very young, with just one click of the mouse. Numerous articles can and have been written on these subjects, so at this time I won't go into detail. Suffice it to say, dangers lurk behind every computer monitor for the very young, and those not voluntarily wanting to view it.

When the Internet is used for good it can be very good. However, if we become habitual users or abusers of the Internet our personal relationships can suffer or become non existent. Untold damage can be done to all concerned, when the Internet is used in a harmful manner.

The Internet is like a ship that has sailed and cannot be brought back to port, the ability to use it for whatever we want to has already happened. So it's up to us as individuals, as to how we use it. Will we use it for good, bad or just down right ugly?