Has the internet made the world too complex?

[dms1972]

In my teens home computers took 5 mins to load a 48k game! and downloading a 640*480 image could take as long as 30mins over a 2400 baud modem!!

I remember a pal from my teenage years, telling me about the coming of the internet several years before it was actually in existence (it probably existed as network APRANET but not in the form it is now). Foolishly I didn't take it all that seriously. But now its here and the world seems a lot more complicated because of it. Although there is much valuable content, and anyone engaged in research must find it an great boon. But there is the other side, in that it makes it easy for instance for pedophiles to exchange images of child abuse over the dark web and other sinister activities. There are the issues of inappropriate content addiction, bullying on social media, all the conspiracy videos about this that and the other group making a grab at world-domination (surely all these different conspiracies will cancel each other out?)

So what do you think is the world just much the same as before the internet, or more complex?

Do the pros balance out the cons of the internet?

Does the internet need a reboot?

 

[crossnote]

I've noticed the internet has 'atomized' society into tiny individual sectors, all running independent of one another. We see this sadly in a drop of Church attendance.
It also seems to encourage being 'spoon fed' rather than thinking critically, running a danger of 'mob mentality/mass manipulation.'

 

[mnphysicist]

I remember a guy who ran into the teachings of his church... so he probably spent close to 3 years ordering theology and church history books via interlibrary loan to see if his church was on the right track or not. It turns out they were not, so he left and started a new church with a few other families. Today, one can pull up the CCEL library on their phone if they've got questions and find answers in a fraction of the time. They can also talk to other Christians across a wide range of faith practices. This is a really huge deal for the body of Christ as a whole, being people can do the Berean thing with ease and at a moments notice. But ease of access, speed, and simplicity aren't the whole story. Faith matters require time for reflection... interlibrary loan was dog slow, but it forced one to study, reflect, and pray, rather than the ease / temptation of grabbing onto something new with gusto in a lightbulb moment. In this case, pre and post internet its both.

I agree with crossnote as far as splintering and attendence goes as reflects the local church. Otoh, the potential for discipleship via online resources is much more than a given local church could even dream of. The challenge, and its a complex one is how to integrate the local church with the education / growth which only the online world can offer. Ie, a working person often finds it impossible to go to a church sponsored theological conference or seminary for short courses... but they can do so online 24/7.

Social media is an interesting one. When my late wife passed, the last group of folks I wanted to be around were a bunch of church folks. I didn't have the energy to deal with well meaning, but totally inept help to walk through the grieving process. I didn't have the energy to solve their problems (I tend to be a fixer) and process my own grief. Rather the support I needed came from 2-3 church friends, and mostly people on social media, many of whom I'd met at some point in my life, a few of whom I'd only know from online interactions. Pre internet, my late wifes passing would have been a ton harder to process, not that it was an easy walk post.

 

[dms1972]

They can also talk to other Christians across a wide range of faith practices. This is a really huge deal for the body of Christ as a whole, being people can do the Berean thing with ease and at a moments notice.

I think the difference is the internet makes a lot of theology and christian books available at a few clicks, but the Berean's "searched the scriptures to see if these things were so." So one only needs the Bible to do what the Bereans did.

I read a lot of theology myself, both on and off the internet, but were does it get me, I think that is the difference, if I have access to say fifty different theologies, were does it get me? Why this theology over that one? Each adherent to a particular theologian/theology are convince the one they adhere to is Biblical. That is were I am at currently. Except for theologies that are grossly heretical there seems little good reasons at times to choose one over another, except if one has already made a choice. So it just seems a matter of which theology you are introduced to first.

 

[nChrist]

There's a lot of bad and good about the Internet, but we can choose to avoid the bad. Example: the Internet is great for sharing the Gospel of the Grace of God.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Are we better off now?

 

[bèlla]

So what do you think is the world just much the same as before the internet, or more complex?

The Internet exposed our hearts and values in ways we didn’t expect.

Do the pros balance out the cons of the internet?

Evil existed before the Internet as did most of the things taking place within this realm. It isn’t new. Its readily accessible and less stigmatizing than before.

I appreciate the opportunity to access information, engage with people around the world, and minister to others through my work. Its been largely enriching and contributed to my personal and spiritual growth.

Does the internet need a reboot?

No, we do.

 

[RDKirk]

The Internet exposed our hearts and values in ways we didn’t expect.



Evil existed before the Internet as did most of the things taking place within this realm. It isn’t new. Its readily accessible and less stigmatizing than before.

I appreciate the opportunity to access information, engage with people around the world, and minister to others through my work. Its been largely enriching and contributed to my personal and spiritual growth.



No, we do.

Well, the inventors of television viewed its future as a great tool for mass education.

 

[bèlla]

Well, the inventors of television viewed its future as a great tool for mass education.

I’m a 70’s PBS kid. My parents restricted our viewing. There were many programs we weren’t allowed to watch.

But I agree you’ll develop a black hole without boundaries. ;-)

 

[joymercy]

I've noticed the internet has 'atomized' society into tiny individual sectors, all running independent of one another. We see this sadly in a drop of Church attendance.
It also seems to encourage being 'spoon fed' rather than thinking critically, running a danger of 'mob mentality/mass manipulation.'

not enough people are reading and studying books any more, just doing google searches alone for teaching and learning

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The internet is a minefield. We just need to have a 'moral compass' to navigate it.

 

[crossnote]

not enough people are reading and studying books any more, just doing google searches alone for teaching and learning

Don't forget, watching their favs on YouTube.
It's a bit scary as we entrust ourselves to the tech-elites, who could in one of their liberal fits, 'pull the plug' thus silencing the Christian voice which had relied on those formats.

 

[klutedavid]

In my teens home computers took 5 mins to load a 48k game! and downloading a 640*480 image could take as long as 30mins over a 2400 baud modem!!

I remember a pal from my teenage years, telling me about the coming of the internet several years before it was actually in existence (it probably existed as network APRANET but not in the form it is now). Foolishly I didn't take it all that seriously. But now its here and the world seems a lot more complicated because of it. Although there is much valuable content, and anyone engaged in research must find it an great boon. But there is the other side, in that it makes it easy for instance for pedophiles to exchange images of child abuse over the dark web and other sinister activities. There are the issues of inappropriate content addiction, bullying on social media, all the conspiracy videos about this that and the other group making a grab at world-domination (surely all these different conspiracies will cancel each other out?)

So what do you think is the world just much the same as before the internet, or more complex?

Do the pros balance out the cons of the internet?

Does the internet need a reboot?

The internet is a powerful tool for Christians wishing to learn the revelation contained within the scripture.

Online Bibles are a fantastic way to read the scripture, you can find a verse in a few key strokes. You can also check the Greek translation of the New Testament.

I have read many early church letters, Dead Sea scrolls, commentaries, e.t.c. I could never really have accessed this information without the internet.

One serious drawback of the internet though is the virtually endless distraction, of social media, interesting sites, online games, e.t.c.

The internet is very much a double edged sword, in many ways it is a privilege and a curse at the same time.

 

[crossnote]

The internet is a powerful tool for Christians wishing to learn the revelation contained within the scripture.

Online Bibles are a fantastic way to read the scripture, you can find a verse in a few key strokes. You can also check the Greek translation of the New Testament.

I have read many early church letters, Dead Sea scrolls, commentaries, e.t.c. I could never really have accessed this information without the internet.

One serious drawback of the internet though is the virtually endless distraction, of social media, interesting sites, online games, e.t.c.

The internet is very much a double edged sword, in many ways it is a privilege and a curse at the same time.

Yes, I take advantage of the Internet biblical tools while we have them, but I also am keeping 'hard copy' backups in my closet of those things we use to call 'books'. LOL

 

[ralfyman]

Likely the world was already complex for various reasons. It's just that many were not aware of this.

 

[eleos1954]

In my teens home computers took 5 mins to load a 48k game! and downloading a 640*480 image could take as long as 30mins over a 2400 baud modem!!

I remember a pal from my teenage years, telling me about the coming of the internet several years before it was actually in existence (it probably existed as network APRANET but not in the form it is now). Foolishly I didn't take it all that seriously. But now its here and the world seems a lot more complicated because of it. Although there is much valuable content, and anyone engaged in research must find it an great boon. But there is the other side, in that it makes it easy for instance for pedophiles to exchange images of child abuse over the dark web and other sinister activities. There are the issues of inappropriate content addiction, bullying on social media, all the conspiracy videos about this that and the other group making a grab at world-domination (surely all these different conspiracies will cancel each other out?)

So what do you think is the world just much the same as before the internet, or more complex?

Do the pros balance out the cons of the internet?

Does the internet need a reboot?

It's just like most anything in the world .... it can be used for good ... or it can be used for evil ... it's a tool and people choose how they use the tool. Parents are responsible for how their minor children use the tool.

 

[dms1972]

It's just like most anything in the world .... it can be used for good ... or it can be used for evil ... it's a tool and people choose how they use the tool. Parents are responsible for how their minor children use the tool.

I agree that its a tool and can be used for good or for ill. But the issue is also more complex. In what ways can its use for evil be limited? I had been using the internet for several years when a few years ago I heard about the "dark web". I never knew such an aspect of the internet existed, and i still don't know what exactly it is, neither do I wish to know very much about it.

The internet has gradually increased in complexity speed and size, and that was inevitable I suppose. Back in 1995 modems ran at 28Kb or 56Kb, and used a phone line, now broadband runs typically at up to 50Mbits.

We are becoming too dependent on the Internet, and I don't mean just personally or individually. Its not a good thing for the infrastructure of a Nation to be too dependent on the Internet, particularly in critical and emergency services, which should have their own dedicated propriatory computer systems, and that doesn't mean they cannot make use of the Internet, but that they will not be handicapped in the same way if the Internet is sluggish, or goes down for a time.

 

[dms1972]

Well, the inventors of television viewed its future as a great tool for mass education.

Adequate education takes much more than TV programming. Think about it... how would you teach English Literature using the TV? Sure you can have someone come on and talk about a book, but too often the TV results in superficial knowledge of subjects. The sort of optimism that accompanied the introduction of the TV was somewhat naive. Education require discipline. Repeated practice as in Maths. Yes good TV programmes can assist in education, but the overall work of educating is much more involved.

The downside is that TV can also be used for propaganda unfortunately.

 

[eleos1954]

I agree that its a tool and can be used for good or for ill. But the issue is also more complex. In what ways can its use for evil be limited? I had been using the internet for several years when a few years ago I heard about the "dark web". I never knew such an aspect of the internet existed, and i still don't know what exactly it is, neither do I wish to know very much about it.

The internet has gradually increased in complexity speed and size, and that was inevitable I suppose. Back in 1995 modems ran at 28Kb or 56Kb, and used a phone line, now broadband runs typically at up to 50Mbits.

We are becoming too dependent on the Internet, and I don't mean just personally or individually. Its not a good thing for the infrastructure of a Nation to be too dependent on the Internet, particularly in critical and emergency services, which should have their own dedicated propriatory computer systems, and that doesn't mean they cannot make use of the Internet, but that they will not be handicapped in the same way if the Internet is sluggish, or goes down for a time.

The use of internet technology does come with a certain amount of risk, but like it or not ... it is part of our world ... a BIG part as you say.

In what ways can its use for evil be limited? Good question, however, who is to decide this?

Personally, I'm more concerned with the electrical power grids, of which it is really unknown what ... if any .... very serious steps in protecting them are being taken.

We live in uncertain times ;o)

 

[dms1972]

"Your masters let you play with dangerous toys."

I think that line is from That Hideous Strength, although I might not have quoted it exactly.

There are risks in any new technology. The study of metalurgy and aerodynamics has given rise to the passenger airliner, as well as the rifle. The rifle can be used to ward off predators, hunt for food, but also can be used to kill people. Planes can transport passengers but also can be used to drop bombs. Probably there is tech that can be used for one purpose only - such as tin openers, but many technological developments open up both positive and negative possibilities. That doesn't mean its inevitable that they will be used negatively, but how they are used depends on the spiritual maturity of human beings to a large extent.