As A Whole, the Internet of Today Is More Open Than Closed - Essay Example

As A Whole, the Internet of Today Is More Open Than Closed The internet has become an essential source of information hence becoming an essential part of life. However, developments in technology have made internet accessible hence creating the element of accessibility. Considering the overwhelming usage and engagement of internet as a major communication platform, it can be argued that internet is more open than closed in the modern times. The key element in the openness of the internet is the accessibility by multiple users across the globe. Unlike in the past, people have access to the internet through a variety of technologies such as broadband services, cable, and other wireless connections. In addition, advancement in technology has enhanced availability of devices such as PC and mobile phones, through which people can access the internet (Julie 387). Availability of these devices and networks has lowered the cost of accessing the internet considerably and, hence made it available to multiple users. This is incomparable to the past, when such devices were a preservation of the upper and the middle class societies. Thus, increase in technology has a direct correlation with increase in internet accessibility. The next factor that has made the internet more open than before is the nature of the current government policies and regulations. Unlike past governments, modern governments consider access to information as basic human rights. This has made most governments across the world to relax and restructure their policies on internet access. However, the government has the overall responsibility of ensuring that people use the facility productively. The government has the mandate to control the usage of the internet. Arguably, 90% of countries around the globe have relaxed their restriction on internet access and, their citizens have the right to access web content. On the contrary, some conservative countries such as China, North Korea and Arabian countries still have restriction on internet usage among their citizens. However, this does not provide a full restriction on access to web content. The world is continuously becoming a global village. Although the element of a global village is more of a hypothetical element than a reality, leaders across the globe are more concerned with the implication of the hypothesis. It has been proved that the proposed global village will be sustained through unlimited communication among people. Thus, the internet remains the most advocated system or form of communication. The evolution of web 2.0 technology based system that allows users to post their views and thoughts has made the internet become an essential element of communication. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace have taken a center stage role in global communication. People have become so fond of the social media, eliminating them from their lives would be impossible (Cass web). Other than the social Medias, the internet hosts other communication forums such as blogs and wikis, which allow people with similar interests to hold discussion on critical issues. The blogs have revolutionized access and development of knowledge across the globe. As the world continuously becomes integrated, the internet has become an opportunity for various aspect of life. A recent report on the usage of social media indicated that Facebook users have hit the billionth mark (Paul web). This indicates that if the social network were a country it would be the most populous country in the world of course with an exemption of China and India. The world of business considers the statistic as business opportunities and, hence the need for open internet. Modern business environment is operating under a wave of globalization, which requires business to have a global scope in terms of operations and production (Paul web). The need for market sustainability has necessitated the need for an open market forum with a global consumer base. Through advertisements, the internet has therefore provided a market forum where businesses can meet potential customers. It is therefore difficult or impossible to have closed internet in a world where people are concerned about developments and sustainability. Since the end of the Cold War, the world has thrived through commercialization whereby people have the ability to own anything that they can afford provided it is within the legal context of their country. For instance, the US has ever had a capitalist system of government since its creation. Despite the US been a capitalist country, internet access had been closed for many year. The laws of commercialization overturned the issue as more and more internet providers competed for the emerging business opportunities in the country (Castells 121). Old guards in the business include AOL and CompuServe. The two companies monopolized and controlled the sector making them to be known as the “walled garden.” However, the days of the “walled garden” are over due to the current wave of commercialization. The end of closed internet access was promoted by the need for press freedom and freedom of expression, which is contained in most constitutions across the globe. Commercialization has therefore made the internet more open than closed. For the past several years, internet has become so open and free that major governments made a move to regulate internet usage. Hardly a few months ago, U.S government put strong measures to control copyrighted information on the internet thereby putting a cap to the open internet. However, many countries especially China is yet to put strict regulatory measures to internet usage. Whereas open internet comes with increased benefits such as freedom of expression, it has also challenged the usefulness of copyrights to the owners. For instance, the openness of the internet has made it possible for millions of people to download free videos, music, and softwares without pay. However, even with the regulatory measures, seemingly aimed at closing the internet, people will still use internet to share information. In conclusion modern day internet is more open than closed. This is greatly evidenced by the overwhelming change from broadband services, cable, and other wireless connections to internet based platforms. Many people are increasingly acquiring technological devices such as computers and mobile phones that can access the internet. Therefore, many tenets of modern lifestyle largely depend on the internet. For instance, almost all businesses are connected in one way or another to the internet. On the other hand, regulations on internet usage have eased with time and it is now possible for any person to express freedom of expression through internet. More importantly, internet has become an important source of global information. Indeed, internet has made the world a global village. Socialization has stepped a notch higher through use of internet. A time has reached that the challenges and trends of the modern society has actually opened up the internet and therefore, it can safely be concluded that internet is indeed more open than closed. Works Cited Cass, Stephen. How Much Does The Internet Weigh? Discover, 2007. Print. Castells, Manual. Rise of the Network Society. New York: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. Julie, Rehmeyer. The Internet spreads its tentacles, Science News 171. 25 (2007): 387–388. Print. Madsen, Wayne. Internet Censorship. Web 17, October 2012 http://rense.com/general69/intercens.htm Paul, Ian. Facebook Nears A Billion Members: Fun Facts. Pcworld. Web 9, October 2012 http://www.pcworld.com/article/254386/facebook_nears_a_billion_members_fun_facts.html Read More