The internet has brought about fundamental changes in the overall day to day lives of people in society. On balance, despite the negative impacts that the internet has brought about, it can be surmised that the internet has made an immense contribution the improvement of lifestyles and living conditions of humanity. In other words, as some society members have noted, the internet is indeed the twenty first century world wonder. This paper will examine the changes that have been occasioned by the internet and their effect on humanity.
It is impossible to talk about the changes attendant to the internet without examining the knowledge and information flow changes. The internet has occasioned an increased and facilitated body of information and knowledge. It has enabled the documentation and storage of information in various forms. Some of the applications within the internet that allow for the storage and spread of information and knowledge include the websites, the drop box application, emails, cloud computing technologies, among other systems. These internet applications enable storage and spread of information and knowledge. It is imperative to note that all these systems are premised on availability and utilities of the internet. In addition, spread of information through these internet based applications has improved the overall knowledge scope in society. The availability of knowledge has had diverse and positive results. For instance, it is the knowledge and information available that has enabled the progress in the field of academia. In academics, information and knowledge has been shared across different platforms. The overall effect is the improved quality of education and academic processes. In the long run, this has boiled down to the quality of lives and daily engagements.
Internet applications have not been limited to the information arena only. It has had applications whose functionality has tremendously impacted on businesses. The application of the internet has made businesses less tedious, less costly and efficient to transact. A number of applications have been put in place that in the long run, has enabled improvement of businesses to the benefit both parties; buyers and sellers. These improvements have impacted and changed the nature of societal conditions. For example, the internet has facilitated electronic commerce transactions. In electronic commerce, a number of options and alternatives have been availed for business transactions. It is now possible for companies and firms to market their products over their own websites. Internet applications have been developed that enable demonstration and utility of these products to potential clients through the websites.
It does not stop at that. Clients and potential customers are allowed, through the website interfaces to; ask any questions, seek clarifications, choose from the list of available products and in some cases negotiate on pricing and other features in the products. In other words, these websites have created a market environment for the interaction of sellers and buyers. This is different from the physical market environment which is often tedious and time consuming. Further, websites allow for placement of orders and payment of transaction fees or for commodities. This has effectively reduced the time previous spent on commercial transactions. The electronic payment system has also reduced the need to carry hard cash to the market which comes with its risks and consequences. In the long run, electronic commerce has been much more effective, time saving, costs saving and more interactive. A good example of the effects of the internet on commercial transactions can be seen in the manner in which Amazon.com Inc. trades with its clients. At
Potential clients of Amazon.com are facilitated with online accounts. Through the online accounts, a client may transact with the company in any way. The client could visit online showrooms in which the available products are displayed, he accesses the customer care department where all customer needs are addressed, among other utilities. The online commercial transactions have become applicable in international trade. Modern international trade has been facilitated through the internet interaction and transactions between buyers and sellers. In the long run, it has been noted that commercial transactions come with the efficiencies to the extent of facilitating more international interaction that among other things saves on costs and time.
In the same breadth, financial services sector has been facilitated to a large extent. Today, the internet has enabled banks to run their automated teller machines on an internet protocol. In addition, banks have been able to develop and implement online banking platforms in which clients can access and transact businesses through their online bank accounts. This system has been beneficial in creating efficiency in the products of banking. It has also enabled convenience to the common bank client who may need access to his money in uncertain and indefinite circumstances. In the long run, it must be appreciated that online banking has impacted positively on societal lifestyles.
Apart from commercial transactions, the internet has changed the nature of social interaction and activities. Thanks to the internet and its applications, people have been able to interact and learn about each other. This has contributed to the elimination or reduction in stereotype cases, ignorance of other communities and the reduction in previous limits to interaction. Applications that top the list that has facilitated the social interactions include the social media, emails, video conferencing facilities, among others. It is imperative to appreciate the fact that the mentioned utilities all draw their functionalities on internet applications. It is equally illustrative that the internet continues to support mobile and computer platforms that allow communication and interaction.
The internet has facilitated the use of social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, My Space, among others. Through these platforms, people are able to interact and share experiences. The features in these platforms vary including messaging, chatting, posting and commenting, liking and sharing, talking and sharing photos, among others. Through these interactions, people are able to socialize, share information and learn of current developments. In the latest decades, these forums have also incorporated economic and political characters. Businesses and political personalities have used social media for marketing and communication purposes.
In the long run, the nature of socialization has effectively assumed a new face. The reliance on physical interactions has been reduced with an online based interaction that relies on virtual meeting. In addition, it should be noted that virtual interaction beats the barrier of distance and volumes. This is because the internet platforms can facilitate interaction across the globe and with several people at the same time.
It is essential to take note of the internet applications in the government. The internet has greatly affected the manner in which government offers it services to its citizenry. The overall effect has been a remarkable positivity and efficiency in the delivery of services. Government in this context includes all agencies whose services go into public consumption. The list of government services that have assumed an online nature premised on the availability of internet include departments of police, immigration, local government, health, information and communication, education, among others. It is noteworthy that almost all government departments today have an online website. All the services and information at the disposal of these agencies are relayed ad provided through the websites. In the United States of America, the application is even more intimate with the State and Federal Agencies all incorporating online services. For instance, issues of application for visas are easily handled by the department of immigration through their online servicing. The ultimate effect is that government services have been expanded, efficient and less costly to deliver. In the long term, the record systems of governments have been comprehensive, harmonized and easily accessible through the online applications. The use of internet in service delivery has had the impact of improving on the nature of service delivery to the citizenry. This has commuted down to an improved standard of living and general conditions in national systems.
Finally, it is essential to examine the changes that the internet continues to facilitate. The internet is a dynamic feature that is in a continuous state of development and change. With the passage of time, the internet has contributed to contemporary matters that go into affecting the lives of people. In this section, the paper examines the work in progress attributed to the internet. One of the running activity courtesy of the internet is the intelligence gathered on security matters. The world powers are in consistent gathering of intelligence touching on matters such as terrorism, political unrest, and nuclear operations, among others. These intelligence gathering services cannot occur effectively without the internet. This facilitation has improved the nature of security and attitude of the people in the long run. The fact that information is availed on security matters has enabled the avoidance of fatalities and casualties to insecurity activities.
In conclusion, it ought to be appreciated that the internet has improved lives positively as postulated earlier. From the elaborate discussion, it is evident that the internet has contributed to the overall improvement of lives. It has changed the living conditions and lifestyles of people. It is equally important to note that these changes have assumed a tripartite character seen in political, economic and social changes. In the long run, the internet has enabled efficiency in transactions and engagements. This has resulted into an overall change in the nature of human interaction and character. With more efficient services and expansive knowledge base, the human being has become typically effective and accommodative. However, it is this paper’s appreciation of a number of situation facilitated by the internet that have changed humanity for the worse. This includes the proliferation of pornographic materials, the increased knowledge in warfare and promotion of intolerant literature. On balance, the internet has changed humanity for the better.
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