The Internet: Technology as an Agent of Social Change
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Identify the single modern technology that, in your opinion, has resulted in the greatest social change. In a five to six page paper, describe both the technology and the social change in detail. Make sure the causal connections between the technology and the change are explained in a clear and convincing manner.
"The internet traces its roots to military and academic research in the United States during the 1960's. Expansion of the internet, primarily in scientific and educational spheres, occurred in the 1970's and 80's. The commercialization of the internet took place in the 1990's. Since that time it has invaded every sphere of human existence. Today nearly one-third of the world's population, over 2 billion people have access to the internet."
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This response examines the impact the internet has had on society. The internet as an agent of social change is discussed. Over 1,000 words of original text along with resources and quoted sources.
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The internet traces its roots to military and academic research in the United States during the 1960?s. Expansion of the internet, primarily in scientific and educational spheres, occurred in the 1970?s and 80?s. The commercialization of the internet took place in the 1990?s. Since that time it has invaded every sphere of human existence. Today nearly one-third of the world?s population, over 2 billion people have access to the internet.
The internet has contributed to growing the GDP of most nations around the world. Though some job loss occurs as the internet streamlines production and distribution systems, some economists claim that the internet creates over twice as many jobs as it eliminates.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/24/internet-industrial-revolution-gdp-mckinsey-study_n_866167.html
The internet impacts more than just the economy. The recent civil unrest in Egypt, Iraq and other countries has been chronicled and spread via the internet. People with access to twitter, Facebook and other social media have been able to provide real time coverage of political realities within their country. This has the effect of circumventing the established media outlets such as government controlled news programs and affiliates that are independently owned but heavily influenced by a particular party.
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/23/world/la-fg-india-twitter-20120824
http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/70-percent-of-brits-would-agree-with-shutting-down-twitter-during-civil-unrest_b15558
http://www.infowars.com/big-sis-to-monitor-twitter-for-signs-of-social-unrest/
The internet also has the capacity of spreading cultural ideas, images and fads. The phenomenon of viral videos illustrates this potential. Recent examples include the video of the dad shooting his daughter?s laptop because she was complaining about her parents on Facebook, the recent dance craze sparked by the group PSY in Asia in their song ?Gangnam Style,? as well as ...
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