Internet is the Greatest Transformative Force in Human History - Essay Example

“Internet is the Greatest Transformative Force in The Human History” (Anthony Giddens) Introduction: When welook ten to twenty years back then world do not seems to be similar as in today 21st century. There are many things which are changed at an entire level and still are expected to be changed further. Even in this age we are not sure about the imminent changes those will be coming in the near future and thus affecting our lives. Anthony Giddens has said that “Internet is the greatest transformative force in the human history”. In my opinion this statement is 100% true. Internet is most important factors among some other, which has impinged on our lives very much. These may include many other factors also but internet is the most important one. Main Body: Anthony Giddens is a famous sociologist belonging to England. He is popular for giving a holistic view of modern humanity. According to him internet is the greatest factor which has revolutionized the human history, or in other words we can say that internet is one of the basic drivers for the evolution of our social communities. His statement is cent percent right but if we critically review the proclamation then it can be argued that although internet is the greatest one but still there can be many other forces which are playing their part in the transformation of human being or society. But all the social transitions are mainly caused by the involvement of technology and technology can be referred as the internet. ‘While technology shapes the future, it is people who shape technology, and decide to what uses it can and should be put, ’Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General. This means that although technology is prevailing over society and caused radical changes but still it is in the hands of people that they decide the possible and advantageous use of technology. The Internet, World Wide Web, mobile cell-phones, digital television, and numerous other new electronic information and communication technologies (ICTs) are spanking new conduits for transforming the way we live, work, learn, and communicate (Dutton, 13). The use of internet, World Wide Web and many other digital media has been so much indulged in our lives that it have transformed all of life which may include our company, businesses, education system and even leisure time also or in other words we can say the whole society at large scale (Dutton, 1). Although there are many other sources or factors which are part of this transition process but the root cause is only the use of internet or in other words the grasp of human hand on internet world. Now in this 21st century we can contact all over the through video calls while sitting in our homes and using our personal computers. Now everything starting from the recipe of a cook book and ending at the causes of a severe disease are readily available at the spacious world of internet. This wide world of technology covers almost every aspect of human life and thus providing ease to the social animal and thus we can say that internet is the greatest force which causes transition in the human history. Advancement in anything only takes place when it is needed by the people or the persons who are directly involved in it. Same is the case with the evolution of human society. When people have the capability to adopt any new thing then they surely try for it. Altering anything may include the addition of new methods or may be the replacement of old ones. In our case, Internet have done both of these activities. Internet has further added many new options to do any work and also replace certain old techniques. In earlier times there was no concept of raising voice from common people against any anti-socialist activity or any other unfair activity. But now through the help of social media, and social websites, this is possible not only to raise voice but also to take steps against that unfair activity. But still there are also some black sheep who negatively use such social websites and thus harassing common people. However, there can be some ways by adopting which, the internet flow can be facilitated and monitored also. The destination and the content of messages can be filtered. This may also help to track back the internet traffic of users (Zittrain and Edelman, 16). The broad concept of the Internet shows that its technical capabilities also include a wide range of personal, community, economic, business, organizational, political, legal, and other dynamics shaping—and being shaped by—this pervasive network of networks. It also specify how an understanding of the relationship between the Internet and society needs to be based not just on protuberance derived from the technical capabilities but also on an appreciation of who has the skills, equipment, know-how, and motivation vital to design, produce, use, consume, and govern the society (Dutton, 1). This era is also called as information age and internet also helps a lot in handling information within countries, organizations, institutions and also individuals. Using various databases, ICT, data warehouses and websites, we can store, retrieve and share any specific information across the world. This information sharing with others may help us to solve our problems. According to Bell, forecasting, planning, and managing complex organizations and systems would be a great problem in the information society because of the complexity and emerging new social and economic systems. But this problem can be solved up to some extent, with the help of available information over internet (Bell, 24). Internet has shaped many of the fields of our common life. For example internet has provided many alternate ways to interact with other people. It includes e-mails, social websites, blogs, video calling, MMS, online forums etc. Internet technology do not just provide access to more people, many of whom you wouldn’t be in touch with otherwise; they also change patterns of interface between people, communities, and institutions. Most often, people use ICTs to complement and otherwise enhance face-to-face communication (Woolgar, 31). Technology has replaced the old ways of banking transactions. It replaces the hard cash with credit cards and debit cards etc. Now online transaction is very much popular to send your money. Using this internet technology, companies are now performing efficiently and also effectively. They have involved these internet technologies in their supply chain networks. They have made better relations with their customers and suppliers applying new and revised communication systems that include JIT and automatic ordering system. But the only loophole is the increased cost of applying such new technologies. The high cost may act as a barrier for small companies to proceed further in the implementation of such advancement. When we talk about cultural aspect of any community then the values, beliefs and ethics of that particular place come into our minds. This 21st century can truly be referred as the era of globalization. The term Globalization basically means to work across the boundaries of the home country. Globalization may occur at organizational and individual level also. When individuals go to any new culture, he or she surely adopts new values and norms of that host place or we can say culture. And this adoption of new cultural values may be one of the factors of transition of societies. As a single individual is a unit of his community and when he goes for new culture then he may cause a change in his own society or group which ultimately affects the whole group. This change might be at a smaller scale but it means a lot when all the units of community go for that change and thus transforming the whole community. So we can say that globalization or new culture adoption is also an important factor. Conclusion: At the end I must say that Anthony Gidden is very much right in his saying that internet is the greatest transformative force behind the development of human history. All the things which cause changes or which arise the urge of changes are only because of the technological development. And through this technology we mean the vast and spread world of internet. The whole essay has proved that each and every field of life is affected by the advancement in technology or specifically we mean that advancement in internet world. References Bell, Daniel. The Coming of Post-Industrial Society: A Venture in Social Forecasting. New York, N.Y: Basic Books, 1999. Print. Dutton, William H. Information and communication technologies: Visions and realities. Oxford University Press, Inc., 1996. Dutton, William H. Social transformation in an information society: Rethinking access to you and the world. UNESCO, 2004. Dutton, William H. "The Internet and social transformation: reconfiguring access." Transforming enterprise: The economic and social implications of information technology (2005): 375-397. Woolgar, Steve. "Virtual Society? technology, cyberbole, reality." Virtual Society? Home Page. Oxford University Press, 2002. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. Zittrain, Jonathan, and Benjamin Edelman. "Documentation of Internet Filtering Worldwide." Berkman Center. N.p., 2003. 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