Gossip and rumors have been a part of our culture for a long time. Stories are told through a certain medium, and then people spread and reshape these stories over time. So, what’s the big deal about the Internet? How is it any different then other types of media?
The Internet is a lot more powerful than any tool before its time. It is less forgiving and accessible to billions of people around the world. The Internet has a lot of opponents because of how harsh and abusive it can be for people. For instance, the “poop girl” was a person whose life was completely changed because of attacks and criticism on the Internet. The Internet served as a place for people to express their opinions about the incident, but what most people fail to realize is the opportunity for the “poop girl” and any other person who has been criticized on the Internet a chance to fight back. If these attacks had occurred on television or the radio, these people wouldn’t have had the chance to defend themselves. The Internet can be very powerful, but it also allows everyone that right to voice his or her own side of a story.
Privacy is becoming fairly nonexistent when it comes to the Internet. Simple things as posting pictures, comments and contact information will be on the Internet forever. People have to be aware and willing to share this information to the entire world. Everyone needs to be more open with their lives. And as a result, Solve points out that people will have to be honest about themselves on the Internet.
This will be a challenge for a lot of people because the Internet is a place where people can be someone else. Anonymity has always been a huge draw for users of the Internet, and if you take that away from people then that will cause a completely different environment.
Will the Internet be a better place without anonymity? I’m not sure. I think people are a lot meaner when they don’t have to deal with the consequences of their comments or actions on the Internet. But I also think that people are more honest when they are anonymous. Sure, sometimes you have to look past the harsh tone of a comment, but more times than not people are giving their true and honest opinions. If everyone knows who everyone is on the Internet, then I think some of that honesty will be lost. People will be afraid to use their actual opinion to voice their ideas or concerns – and isn’t that ability what’s so great about the Internet?
