A hundred and fifty years ago, if you wanted to talk to somebody in a different part of the world, you sent a letter. That letter would be collected by a mail man, who would take it to a sorting centre. From there, it would be shipped to a major post office hub, where it would get sent to your friend - eventually. Now, we just send them a message on Facebook, or through a text.The internet has revolutionized how we communicate, how we learn, even how we listen to music.
There was a time when people would only listen to their favourite singer or orchestra twice, maybe three times in their entire life. Today all we have to do is click the repeat button on YouTube. That's incredible. We no longer learn solely in the classroom. I hope I'm not the only one who can say that they've spent more than a few weekend mornings in their pyjamas, watching videos on Khan Academy (which you can find here.) The internet has completely altered our society in ways that never could have been foretold, even thirty years ago.
Our interconnectedness as a civilization means that no great crime can be hidden. It means that no individual with an internet connection can be denied at least some kind of education. The Web has given rise to so many things. The Vlogbrothers, Twitter, Instagram. All these things never could have existed without the Internet. I won't even get in to all the economic, political, and social benefits the Internet has given us, there are too many to list.
We are the first generation to live with a in-depth knowledge of the Internet and social media, and none of us truly know what that means for the future. The Web continues to change our society and our culture, and I can't wait to see what our generation will make in twenty or thirty years. I know it will be incredible.
Come and witness my thoughts about life and the Universe, as I, just like many other people, attempt to find my place in our ever-changing and beautiful world.
