The Internet's Effects...On a Larger Scale?

As I was reading The Shallows, Carr revealed the "other side" of the Internet, which the current world has such a heavy reliance on in this modern, technological era. The creation of the Internet "lessened the distance" and contributed to the current globalization that is occurring throughout the world in multiple countries. Ever since its emergence, the world has been connected even more so than before, which has helped out in many recent events such as revealing the ongoing cruel massacres and civil wars in the Arab region. It helped out Arab countries such as the citizens of Egypt to call for international help by releasing videos through Youtube and made other countries intervene to help for the abdication of their tyrannical ruler of decades.

Even though the Internet is constantly praised by the mass media, Carr revealed the dark side of the Internet, the side that people fail to realize or continue to deny. While he pointed out the negative effects of the Internet on individuals, I started thinking about how it affected communities as a whole. For example, Borders' ultimate reason for going bankrupt was due to Internet activities, such as eBook sales. Many people from the older generation are finding it harder to adjust to the current Internet-based society, especially when so many bills and items are paid for via online nowadays. The Internet is not only contributing to a mentality loss of the current generation, but it is also causing an economic loss for thousands of older employees who have lost their jobs. Do you think the Internet is fueling the fire of instability among communities, or is it saving more lives rather than eating away people's brains?