Life before the Internet versus after the Internet - Coursework Example

?"Life before the Internet vs. After the Internet. Introduction: Mankind has always tried developing methods to establish communication with its fellow human beings. This pursuit has been driven by various struggles and developments. While the earlier phases were driven and dominated by manual methods, with the most ancient traces coming out in form of fire and drum beating, with time these methods changed their pattern and appearances. It has been a constant journey and developments in form of telephone by Graham Bell (Mackenzie, 2003) and further onwards developments were part of journey until the era wireless communication came into existence. The last couple of decades of twentieth century saw most prominent advancements in form of the internet coming into the scene. Internet is a phrase with loosely relates to the inter connection of people who are in different parts of the world and are connected to one another through wireless means. Internet has become a family and its users being the members of the family. Outline: The aim of this paper is to specify the differences between the two epochs of history, the pre internet era and post, and see how they have impacted the life of individuals, society and organizations in general. Thesis Statement: The empowered man of internet era vs. the novice man of pre internet era. Journey from Stone Age to Industrial era: While the earlier era was characterized by formal, conventional and simple methods where simple life styles were in progress, it was changed and developed towards the 18th century when industrial revolution took place and made human being more dependent upon others and made them realize that a joint communication setup is needed which can facilitate them in a more suitable way. The internet is no more than a medium for facilitation of mankind in their daily activities and functions. The journey forward: 1990s was the era when the common citizens for the first time got familiar with the concept of internet. However the term internet was around since 1970s, however at that time the interface was only limited to defense purposes and governmental usage. With time internet’s reach became possible to the common man, while at one time it was limited to only institutions and governmental organizations, by late 1990s, it became part of almost every house, and in early 21st century it became part of every mobile phone and every gadget that is around. The digital media such as the broadband telephone systems and all the mobile phones that are around us are gift of internet and technology. Internet is dependent on these technologies and these technologies are dependent on the internet. These two serve as complementing factor towards each other and facilitate the existence and working of one another. It is the broadband technologies enabled by optical fiber and wireless communications that make communication possible and internet a reality. Without these underlying elements of broadband technologies internet services would not be achievable. A visible line can be drawn in terms of the era prior to internet and era that is dominated by the presence of internet. Traditional telephone systems and pre internet era: Prior to internet the conventional telephone systems were in place. These were equipped with wires, heavy infrastructure and telephone sets. Internet has facilitated all This in a new manner and VOIP function is a characteristic of internet era which has removed the need for a conventional telephone system and allows people getting connected on the spot and mostly these calls are free as well and do not charge anything. A mere download of software enables getting connected with the people in far areas. The advent of internet has brought about massive changes in the manner in which activities are being held. Broad areas can be highlighted in terms of the following factors: Type of communication that was in place prior to internet and in era of internet, The time factor The speed factor, i.e. the speed with which the messages can be conveyed, The capacity The security of communication The monitory aspect The manpower Reliability Various other factors Relevance: both the subjects( pre internet and post internet) are highly relative and inter related because they represent two pillars with one being extremely developed and enriched while the other representing a very slow life style and simple methods. The former is characterized by advanced technologies, fast paced communications, ease of usage, more facilities, while the latter is based on slow and steady processes, low output, low response, more time in execution. In terms of communication, for example most communications are being carried out through the tool of internet utilities. For example emails which have replaced the conventional form of letters and mails, those predecessor modes were quite simple and slow in their outlook. Those methods would take days and weeks to be delivered to other ends even if they were a few kilometers away. With the modern internet means, sources and destinations that are millions miles away and across the oceans are being covered in no time in instance access can be established. These differences show up in different modes and shapes. For example its not just the email that has been facilitated, rather the video calling option is another function of internet. It is termed as one of the most precious gifts provided by internet. For example, in past only textual contact was possible, the internet has facilitated video calling functions which enables seeing and getting in touch with people who are in different parts of the world. as a result saves time and resources. The video calling function is largely in use in official functions of the organizations as well. For example many legal issues, official issues are being covered via video conferencing, with the dignitaries sitting in other part of the world and country do not need to go physically to the respective part, rather merely through internet and video calling function, can get in touch. Impact of internet in different domains: The impact of internet is not just limited to a single set of profession or individuals, rather its scope pertains to all the organizations, all the professions, and all the individuals. For example individuals ranging from students, to professionals to teachers and businessmen, while in case of organizations, it is from business enterprises, to governmental, semi governmental, health care institutes, academic institutes, scientific laboratories, in short no element is void of computer and internet in modern times. The negative factor: negative factor of internet is man’s dependence on the machine, it has made man more reliant on the machine, and has made it less active in the social and practical field. The social media factor: Social media comes as a gift of internet. Social media is a term that relates to the media, websites and interface which connects people over the internet in a virtual manner. Allowing them to share all their information, and have sources to be in touch with, social media has changed the meaning of communication that is being conducted between the people. While people would go to public places, respective houses to meet and interact with their folks, the social media has introduced new concept where people get to interact, see and exchange views via these networking sites. These sites contain Face book, twitter, Orkut to name a few. These all are coined as web 2.0 technologies, and all these come as a gift of internet (Bodden, 2008). Career aspect: While in past and prior to internet the careers and occupations of people were limited to only manual works, in the field and documentation related works. Internet has allowed many jobs that are being conducted and undertaken via internet, the free lancing area, working from home, collaborating with the staff while in remote areas, taking up assignments and professional works that are done through internet even though one might not be present in the field or in the office, all these are gifts and functions of internet and a characteristic of internet era which were not present to the mankind in earlier years. Internet’s advantages are not just limited to the connection and mere entertainment, rather computerization and digital interfaces of all the organizations and institutions has resulted in ease of work, ease of access and ease of completion of tasks. For example it is through internet that people can book tickets, purchase orders, make online orders, book aero plane tickets, without internet one would have to physically go to their spots and air ports to check the flights schedules, book tickets, and make reservations. The textual world of pre internet era: Prior to internet, everything was being handled and operated in black and white and textual format. Internet actually is an extension of the television and computer. While it was computer first that brought about colors, but it was internet that allowed connectivity. Prior to internet the connectivity was limited only to the four walls. It is the function of internet that mankind was able to communicate outside the four walls. More so it was possible for mankind to reach the stars and moon through internet. All the satellites that are hovering in the sky are kept aligned and intact only through internet. The navigation systems, the radars, antennas are all controlled through internet. The radio transmissions, broadband technologies all are gifts and in other words different forms of internet technology. The amount and extent to which the internet has penetrated in to the lives of people, it is virtually impossible to imagine life and activities without it because it has become an integral part of almost all the units. All around us in our surroundings, both inside our houses and on the roads, we see internet has its webs spread wide and far. For example inside our houses, laptops, mobile phones, computers all are internet enabled, while in the outer space the lawns and parks are facilitated with internet facilities. Parks, restaurants all have internet facilities available in them (Cresswell, 2012). Conclusion: The two eras stand as distinguishing factors in the manner in which mankind has undergone about activities. Internet has brought about revolution in the manner in which the functions are being conducted and with current standing of being an integral part of our society and private lives, life without internet cannot be imagined, ranging from credit cards, to utility bills to online payments, and query and exchange, all are made possible by internet. Hence internet is a vital part of every society and it helps each society in different manners. The rapid developments that are taking place in the field of internet promise much more facilitation to mankind in terms of health, society, education, culture and other factors. References: Bodden, V. (2008). Internet. The Creative Company. Cresswell, T. (2012). On the Move: Mobility in the Modern Western World. Routledge. Mackenzie, C. (2003). Alexander Graham Bell 1928. Kessinger Publishing,. Read More