Digital Culture Blog 1
Digital Culture Blog 1:
The Impact of the Internet On Culture
The rise of the Internet has given way to immense change in human communication.
Not only has the Internet changed how we communicate, but it has also shaped human cultures and
formed its own unique niches. Some aspects of Internet culture and communication can be seen as
highly positive and other aspects can be seen as dangerous and toxic to human interactions.
Not only has the Internet changed how we communicate, but it has also shaped human cultures and
formed its own unique niches. Some aspects of Internet culture and communication can be seen as
highly positive and other aspects can be seen as dangerous and toxic to human interactions.
Many developments driven by the Internet can be interpreted as highly beneficial. In an article titled
“10 Ways Social Media Is Transforming Our World”, author Lisa Galarneau notes the many ways in
which digital communication can bring joy and sharing into a modern age. Galarneau cites websites
such as Reddit, Youtube, etc. as being portals to new forms of creativity and connectedness among
strangers (Galarneau). Galarneau goes on to note that the internet opens up new opportunities for
learning and diversity in that internet access is available all across the world, allowing a vast mixture
of people to share and communicate (Galarneau).
“10 Ways Social Media Is Transforming Our World”, author Lisa Galarneau notes the many ways in
which digital communication can bring joy and sharing into a modern age. Galarneau cites websites
such as Reddit, Youtube, etc. as being portals to new forms of creativity and connectedness among
strangers (Galarneau). Galarneau goes on to note that the internet opens up new opportunities for
learning and diversity in that internet access is available all across the world, allowing a vast mixture
of people to share and communicate (Galarneau).
Others would argue that the Internet and its many facets could very well be bringing out the absolute
worst in humanity. In an article for the Daily Mail, Andrew Keen highlights copious reasons to not
trust advancements in Internet-related technology. Keen calls out modern tech business giants such as
Google and Amazon and reports that such companies could easily slip into monopoly territory
(How the Internet is Destroying... , Keen). Keen also raises several fair points in that, while the
Internet is home to creativity and sharing, it is also home to many cruel users who can utilize the
Internet to threaten or harm others (Keen).
worst in humanity. In an article for the Daily Mail, Andrew Keen highlights copious reasons to not
trust advancements in Internet-related technology. Keen calls out modern tech business giants such as
Google and Amazon and reports that such companies could easily slip into monopoly territory
(How the Internet is Destroying... , Keen). Keen also raises several fair points in that, while the
Internet is home to creativity and sharing, it is also home to many cruel users who can utilize the
Internet to threaten or harm others (Keen).
Some see the Internet more simply; in the Handbook For Internet Studies edited by Robert Burnett,
Mia Consalvo and Charles Ess, the Internet’s capacity to act as a database for preservation of
knowledge is examined. The Handbook poses potential benefits of such storage by noting academic
uses for a tool such as the Internet. With hundreds of academic studies available, digital advancements
have reshaped how people conduct research (Burnett, et al.). The Handbook also notes how the Internet
as a database could potentially be harmful, as the Internet is fickle and changing and reliance upon such
technology could be dangerous (Burnett, et al.).
Mia Consalvo and Charles Ess, the Internet’s capacity to act as a database for preservation of
knowledge is examined. The Handbook poses potential benefits of such storage by noting academic
uses for a tool such as the Internet. With hundreds of academic studies available, digital advancements
have reshaped how people conduct research (Burnett, et al.). The Handbook also notes how the Internet
as a database could potentially be harmful, as the Internet is fickle and changing and reliance upon such
technology could be dangerous (Burnett, et al.).
Overall, the Internet is a massive and ever-expanding realm that has impacted our culture hugly.
It has its many pros and cons, and it is highly difficult to weigh whether or not such a massive entity
is simply “good” or “bad”. Only far into the future will be able to more clearly weigh how the Internet
has impacted us truly.
It has its many pros and cons, and it is highly difficult to weigh whether or not such a massive entity
is simply “good” or “bad”. Only far into the future will be able to more clearly weigh how the Internet
has impacted us truly.
Works Cited: Consalvo, Mia, and Charles Ess, eds. The handbook of internet studies. Vol. 14. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.
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