Everyone knows what the Internet is. E-mails, shopping, and paying bills online have become a way of life. As accepted and taken for granted as the ATM machine. And naturally, there are always horror stories of online scams, and viruses, and dangers. But often overlooked is the cultural impact the Internet has over everyday people.
The Internet, with the chat rooms and ability to message anyone online instantaneously, has created new social structures and interpersonal dynamics. Easy to use, and growing more popular day by day, new global communities spring up like mushrooms overnight, and with it, new moral codes and values. Interesting enough, these codes and values are not created by the corporations, fearing suits, nor "think tanks", attempting to create utopia, but by the average member that goes online, to talk or surf, without a greater master plan in mind.
This is an extremely interesting development. It bespeaks of something greater within mankind, to be able to create a virtual utopia. Naturally, there are many "snerts" online, who behave inappropriately. However, unlike the frightening occurences of violence due to road rage, disgruntled employees, or drive by shootings, there are very few instances of completely disruptive behavior online. The common response to unacceptable behavior is to either set the offender on "ignore" (an option on many chat rooms for just this reason), or to contact the proper authorities (usually the TOS department) and leave it in their hand. In this day and age of taking the law into their own hands, this civility is virtually unheard of. There are very few "screaming" matches (done by typing all in caps), and almost no verbal abuse beyond the first few exchanges during an altercation. Such civility and order is rather surprising, and often overlooked.
Another example, is the treatment of newcommers. Upon announcing their "newbie" status in a chat room, immediatly there is an outpouring of offers to help them find their way around. Giving basic tips and offers of friendship, it is rather like the "welcome wagon" of old, where new neighbors would be welcomed and offered assistance to get settled. This almost old-fashioned concideration, gives hope that such behavior is slowly being carried back into everyday "real" life. Would extended time on the Internet, surrounded by respect and careful manners result in a return to the courtesy that seems to be forgotten in this modern age? The Internet is too young to know for sure, but in a few years, if the overall demenor of chat rooms remain as they do now, this may be an added bonus of the Internet.
However, one of the most facinating phenomenon of the Internet has to be online friendships and relationships. Previously shy people, or social outcasts have at last found their niche and find others who share the same interests as they do. Because of the anyomous nature of the Internet, people are no longer aware of their weight, age, race nor sex. Rather then being judged by their physical self, at last, a person is judged only by the content of his words, and the quality of his thoughts. Being such, people from all walks of life, from any corner of the globe, can converse as equals and become friends.
Much like having pen pals, ideas and concepts can be exchanged and dialog is open to all. However, the added benefit of the Internet, is that the speed is nearly instantaneous, thus, there are not two week waits between letters, nor waiting a month for a response. Response can come as quickly as it is sent out...all the benefits of conversing in person, but without the physical presence to become a factor.
Naturally, this raises concerns of scams and misrepresentations, but the instances of such, seem rare, and for the most part, many online relationships and friendships are as strong as and real as any of those conducted in person. Not only does this expand the circle of aquantainces and friendships, but rather then the cold impersonality of the personals, in the newspapers, here is a forum where a person can first become friends before finding out if this is a potential mate. Many psychiatrists find this very encouraging, as it gives the couple more time to find out about each other, and rather a relationship just based on physical attraction, there must also be a connection on an intellectual basis as well. While there has not yet been any studies done on the viablity of marriages started from the Internet, already a large number of relationships are due to the Internet, and many find it much less agitating then a blind date.
The self policing, and self monitoring of the Internet chat rooms and communities is a growing phenomenon. While the sponsor corporations have a set of rules to avoid litigation, the members themselves take the rules one step furthur and through an unspoken agreement to abide by the codes that make their new community a haven. Could this be humanity's opportunity to create an utopia?
With the exposure to new ideas and concepts, and being able to find communities and support groups from every walk of life, for every type of hobbies and interests, it seems likely. Already, the Internet has brought together people that would have otherwise never spoken to each other even if they lived across the street. It has opened up new avenues of communication and dialog. The dynamics of the Internet is constantly changing, but the impact of the Internet upon civilization is unmistakable. The Internet is already as popular as television, and like television, it is changing the way the world views itself. Maybe even for the better...