THE "E-AvAtAr''s
Thursday 4 March 2010
Virtual Revolution
21:33 | 
Posted by
Jamphel
The internet since its birth has impacted the whole world especially the peoples’ lives at such an unprecedented level that some might believe that this online revolution is even more profound than the Industrial Revolution (Xiaolei 2007). This speedy revolution has raised so many unanswered questions on if a new species of humans are developing; from homosapien to homointerneticus? Thus, we completely agree with Dr. Krostoski’s report on Virtual Revolution: Homointerneticus. (documentary film on BBC) and would like to present our views in support of it.
Internet possesses enormous power and provides access to vast amount of information and facilitates like networking between people around the world. This technology can be compared to the electricity, telephone and the automobile inventions that have made a mark within society, transforming society, affecting culture, politics and businesses (Gates 2000).
The younger generation today is considered to be grown and brought up within a digital world since their birth and internet has become an indispensable for them (Cheon and John 2005). As shown in the documentary, 62% of South Korean 3-5 years old kids use internet for over 7 hours per week regularly. Also in the US , 9.5% of the total active online users (16 million approx.) were children aged 2-11 as on May 2009 (Nielsenwire 2009). Not only the developed but the developing nations are also not left behind in this revolutionary race. Chinese online user number surpassed that of US with its largest proportion (39%) comprising of the school children (NWCCW 2009) hence internet addiction is becoming a serious problem amongst the Chinese younger generation (Cao and Su 2006).
One key point is the impact of the internet on the web generation which has been clearly shown like a double edge sword effects (both positive and negative) in the documentary. It is very true considering the numerous growth opportunities which the web offers to the children with benefits like socialization and communication across culture and boundaries; interpersonal and creativity development; and educational and academic support through vast information access (Gross 2004, Jackson et al., 2006, Valkenburg and Peter 2007 cited in Mishna, Saini and Solomon 2009). On the other hand, the negative effects include physical and mental impact (due to information fatigue); cognitive (inability to differentiate real and virtual world); and social development (less interaction with real people and identity confusion) (Cordes and Miller 2000 cited in Cheon and John 2005).
An important revelation is the extent to which virtual interaction reflects who we are. Social networks are a growing phenomenon with individuals and companies investing enormous time and money online (Gates 2000). Theodore V. outlined the network effect as a beneficial system; a self sustaining and self fulfilling system (Krostoski 2010); a system present within the www (Gates 2000). Social bonding is defined as a personal relationship usually between 2 individuals (Krostoski 2010) but the internet is merely a gateway for bonding and it is becoming less important in peoples’ lives (Farmery 2010). Skeptics like neuroscientists say a child’s sense of reality is distorted as senses triumph over meaning (Krostoski 2010). The study of a linear and associative mindset reveals how the internet has made us lazy with the presence of ‘hyperlinks’ and readily available information, supported by David Nicholas views on the importance of reading books because they explore vast information than just reading an extract (Krostoski 2010). These views are in contrast to those of Gates (2000) who believes the internet amplifies human potential.
Like predicted during the 1960’s, the technological age did indeed bring in a massive change and like stated by Bill Gates in the year 2000, there has been profound effects of the internet on the way we work live and learn.
The internet is described as a positive development creating collaboration and is expected to develop further. However, being better informed doesn’t necessarily mean better decisions. More so, the dangers of the internet like security issues make the web appear less mind controlling and more of a reflection of the real world. Hence, internet may or may not isolate people from the real world depending upon how they use it.
Reference
Cao, F., and Su, L. (2006) ‘Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents: prevalence and psychological features’. Child: Care, Health and Development [online] 33 (3), 275-281. Available from < http://www.encognitive.com/files/Internet%20addiction%20among%20Chinese%20adolescents--%20prevalence%20and%20psychological%20features.pdf> [1 March 2010]
Cheon and John, H. (2005) ‘Children’s exposure to negative internet content: effects of family context’. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic media [online] available from < http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/internet-technology/867440-1.html > [3 March 2010]
Farmery, A. (2010) Internet social bonding 5 February 2009 [online] available from
Gates, B. (2000) Shaping the internet age [online] available from
Gov (2010) Internet dangers for teenagers [online] available from
Krostoski, (2010) ‘The virtual revolution: homointerneticus’. BBC [online] available from < http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00r3qhg/The_Virtual_Revolution_Homo_Interneticus/ > [28 March 2010]
Mishna, F., Saini, M., and Solomon, S. (2009) ‘Ongoing and Online: Children and youth’s perceptions of cyber bullying’. Children and Youth Services Review [online] 31, 1222-1228. Available from < http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V98-4W91PR7-2&_user=2563821&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F2009&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000057807&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2563821&md5=be6b948477c27951a6b63eb8fcf7e2a0 > [3 March 2010]
Nielsen Wire (2009) Growing up and growing fast: kids 2-11 spending more time online [online] available from < http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/growing-up-and-growing-fast-kids-2-11-spending-more-time-online/ > [3 March 2010]
NWCCW (2009) Gender ratio of netizens becomes more balanced [online] available from
Xiaolei, J. (2007) ‘Caught in Net: Looking back on the internet revolution’. Beijing Review [online] 50 (37), 18-20. Available from < http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=2&hid=5&sid=528f2547-ec95-4f94-b23a-3c25311053c1%40sessionmgr4 > [1 March 2010]
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9 comments:
‘less interaction with real people’
‘internet is merely a gateway for bonding and it is becoming less important in peoples’ lives’
So much so about the detailed examples given to strengthen the already available evidence from the BBC’s Virtual Revolution: Homointerneticus, it would be nice to include critical arguments on the positive side of the negative points you have mentioned above.
In terms of critical argument for this point, we must now look beyond the problem that arises from this relatively new culture, but try to incorporate it into humanity in a positive manner. In the future, human would be able to connect to and interact with the virtual world without having to sit in front of the computer to access the Internet (Mistry 2009). Emerging technology that narrows these gap/weaknesses is already in the commercial development stage. With this, we do not believe the accusation of Internet hurting human interactions stand of fair judgment.
Reference:
Mistry, P. (2009) ‘Pranav Mistry: The Thrilling Potential of Sixth Sense Technology’ [online] available from http://www.ted.com/talks/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html [5 March 2010]
Good article,
I like how you speak about the diferents main point especially about the new generation.
I think Internet can be use for a part of the Education, but not completly e.g.: for the creativity I don't think Internet can clearly help them, They dont need lot of creativity or need to imagine lot of things on internet compare to a real game as lego for the boy or barbie for the girl where they can create their own world which is much better for the creativity.
thank you,
@ Emarketforensics: What you have said is actually insightful, but we had a different approach in analysing the video. We were saying that, the people are not influenced by the internet in such a way that it affects their 'real' personal lives. Ultimately, your suggestions are appreciated but not your 'evaluation.'
@turn the blogsphere: thank u for ur comment. yeah, it is true that internet does help the children in doing their homeworks and helps them to build upon their knowledge base but it also restricts their creativity and innovative skill in some way because all the solutions for the problems are already present infront of them. therefore it all depends on how the children or the elders use the internet, they should not totally rely on the internet.
Jamphel
Hey, really nice work but can i ask you what do you think will happened after 5 to 10 years
i mean where this revilution will takes human?
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@turntheblogsphere: 5-10 years down the line, the advancement in the technology will be enormous so will be the virtual developments however in my view whether the virtual revolution will be for the betterment or the deterioration of the humanity depends on the humans themselves how they use it.
jamphel
I think one point is right: although the social networks are changing the face of the friendship among the children, there are still some immutable aspects of human friendship that these social networks can not change.
According to GSP, TV ads do have long-term brand equity-building potential in the short-term. A strong ad will achieve high levels of recall in the minds of consumers. There are still other effective marketing strategies like using POP sign products or having a company site.
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