The New Digital Age Chapter 3

Schmidt and Cohen begin the chapter by asking 'How will they use the Internet?'. This is referring to the billions of people that continue to join the group of internet users. I have never really considered this topic before, but it does bring up an interesting area of thought. The entire globe is becoming more easily connected, however, every area has a different language, alphabet, and culture. Diving more deeply to each individual person, everybody has different likes and dislikes. Well it is true that this could be a great tool to connect with an individual on the other side of the planet and become great friends with them, it is just as likely that people can make enemies. People being able to hide behind a computer screen act in a totally different manner than people communicating face-to-face. With the way the internet is going and how everything can be pinpointed back to the source it came from could cause a dangerous scenario. Just imagine...a young man in Mount Pleasant is on Chatroulette and finds another young man that lives just outside Boston. One of them calls the other a profane name and they get into a bit of a heated argument. It is simple enough to next the individual and not have to worry about him anymore.  Feelings may be hurt, but no harm, no foul. Soon enough the young man from Boston will be able to get the IP address and be able to send the other young man a virus. This takes a whole new twist on the aspect. Now imagine this on an international scale. And even worse, a bigger playing field that would affect a larger number of people such as governments. This is a really scary thought to think about.