A look at how the Internet has become a prominent part of society.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
Since its conception, the Internet has been a marvel of information, speed, and technology. With a couple of clicks, one can listen to the Berlin Philharmonic perform Beethoven’s Fifth, see the Great Wall of China, or pursue a treasure trove of information that would put the Libraries of Alexandria and Congress to shame, all without leaving the comfort of one’s chair.
Pretty impressive, huh? Yes, without the Internet, society would not be as advanced as it is today. However, the Internet is not all knowledge and culture. In fact, it’s mostly fun and games. Which would be good, if all the fun didn’t distract its users from the numerous research papers, essays, articles, and other work they should be doing. Yes, the Internet is the devious mastermind behind every hour of procrastination that dogs our work output. In fact, I’ve had at least four different sites distract me from writing this article since its inception.
It is through these silly, time-wasting sites that the Internet has become a concrete addition to modern culture. In fact, the words unfriend, heart, as a verb, (as in to heart someone) and the acronyms LOL, FYI, and OMG, have been added to the dictionary due to the Internet. Social Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Myspace have forever changed the way people interact with one another. Search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing can take their users anywhere they want to go, as well as into new frontiers. Video sites like YouTube and Dailymotion can provide distractions from cats playing the piano to a skateboarder falling on his face. The Internet is everywhere, whether one wants to embrace it or not.
And therein lies the problem. Now that the Internet has forced its way into everyday life, it is impossible to ignore the effect it has. While there are definite advantages to having vast stores of information readily available, it seems that there are more and more piles of garbage and fewer pockets of important material. In today’s America, Wikipedia has the answers to any question, “LOL” can be heard in the hallways as an accepted word, and YouTube star Justin Bieber sells out concerts. In fact, the Internet is now recognized as a proper noun, and has to be capitalized. Does no one else see what’s wrong with this? The internet is a tool, not a name, place, or event. It is a means to an end, whether that be researching a paper, reading an article, interacting with friends, or simply wasting time on amusing sites.
However, I’m not trying to imply the internet is a morally reprehensible thing. In fact, much good has come from it. Though occasionally we have to deal with trash like Beiber and Rebecca Black, YouTube has become an outlet for many up-and-coming musicians, comedians, and directors. The video-sharing site has given birth to artists like the singing comedian Bo Burnham, who combines jaunty tunes with witty, satirical, and often raunchy lyrics/one-liners. Thanks to his popularity on the site, Bo has gone on to perform two stand-up shows for Comedy Central.
YouTube is full to bursting with ridiculous videos, but many of the users have gone on to do greater things. Comedian Shane Dawson of ShaneDawsonTV has earned the eye of Adam Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison, to create a TV show, and comedian/cooking masters Epic Meal Time, whose videos consist of creating ridiculous high-calorie meals consisting of meat (mostly bacon) and alcohol, are working on creating a cooking show for Comedy Central. I’m not sure whether it’s a step in the right direction or a horrible plunge backwards when people on YouTube are escalated to stardom, but if it brings hilarious people like Bo Burnham and the crazed group of Epic Meal Time into the limelight, then I’m all for it.
The internet is a necessary evil. Though humanity may have to deal with the acronyms OMG and LOL becoming part of everyday life, or have to listen to Rebecca Black through bleeding ears, the internet has given birth to talented entertainers. YouTube has created a medium where previously unknown entertainers have ridden the elevator to celebrity status, when they most likely would never have been noticed before. Overall, I’d say that’s a pretty even trade. We may not see eye to eye all the time, internet, but even though you distract me from doing my actual job, I salute you. I still refuse to capitalize your name, however.
