The web! Greatest invention ever?

We've had the wheel, electricity, the locomotive and hot pants ... but is the web the greatest invention ever?

It has brought so much to so many lives, it has assisted commerce, it has connected people, it has given a voice to all - it has united people. We look at the effect of the web in Egypt and other countries in assisting social and political change. It is a truly remarkable tool. A peaceful tool that can harness great change.

The thing I like about it best is its ability to give everyone a voice. Everyone has an opinion, everyone is equal and they can analyse, comment, report etc - they don't need to be journalists or tv or radio stars.

It has also been a great asset to rural communities in providing a platform where often there was none, in combatting loneliness and in educating the rest of the populace of the trials, tribulations and ultimate conquests of those who work the land or who have to use their 'ingenuity' to make a living.

It is only right that in a democracy all voices should be heard equally. We may agree, we may disagree - but that is democratic choice. The web offers that.

Viva la web I say - makes Edison look like a relatively amateur inventor.

Split personality..?

This website is good.

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:This website is good.

I concur.

The level of knowledge here sometimes takes my breath away -which is fine because you can type away without breathing - once it doesn't go on for 3/4 minutes in which case you may well turn purple and start having palpitations and other such discomforts. If you are in the VHI or indeed have other health cover - or a medical card - then this should not present too much of a problem. Its those that have none such (i.e. me) that I worry about in this context.

But the level of schooling that goes on here goes well beyond the norm. Well beyond the defined educational structures so beloved of and by this State since its inception. We may be looking at enrolment policies, curriculae and patronage and pluralism but there are things you learn on GT that no stick wielding master would ever bate into you.

As a city boy my knowledge of rustic life was confined to cattle mastication and matters covered by Glenroe. Thanks to the good work of several here I now know how to fill out complicated EU forms and claim headage for stock I don't have (with a D4 address!), fill out complicated tax forms to get back tax I have never paid and I know how to get drunk for a fiver ... for a whole week. I have joined a Monday Club whis is very relaxing and runs right through until Thursday when the weekend starts.

Other people have taught me other skills. How to peel an orange in my pocket, take down wallpaper so that it can be hung again. Some fellow Metroplitans have taught me how to bake a cake with a rasp file in the middle, how to drink Dutch Gold through a straw while splitting up small atoms with someone else's credit card. I have learned how to ride a mountain bike up a big hill while playing morbid and morose music to seriously ill hospital patients. I have learned the value of pretending that something that is brutal is beautiful .... it is in the eye of the beholder .. or Sam holder! I have learned that American sports are graceful - it is only the players and coverage that drag them down. I have learned that Man City will win the P'ship next year and all other arguments are futile - in much the same way as arguing with the person who told you it is! I have learned to be loyal but I try desperately not to be!! Though it is right to be loyal - and it is always right if you are loyal. I have learned that certain clans stick together ... like **** to a blanket - though this is not necessarily a bad thing. I have learned that a rolling stone gathers no moss - but GT does thankfully. I have learned to avoid feeling puke - he just doesn't like it.

I have found out that there are decent people here - and many. Even some from Sligo. I have learned that you can take the person out of Kerry - and she is never happy about it. I have learned never to back a tip - never more so when it comes from the Samin of Knowledge. I have learned that there are life forms in Westmeath, and Cavan, and Leitrim, - Spock may well have been right. I have learned that you cannot wind up in too obscure a way - lest it not be got and then you become a completely arrogant ******* - but thats learning!

But its good to learn ... and keep learning!

.

One of the greatest inventions ever no doubt. I think the cartoon dog and rabbit sum it up better than I could:

Jesus man - do you ever take anything seriously?

Internet may well be a great invention but it has also had devestating consequences on people's lives. It has made childrens lives unbearable to the point where bullies can continue their reign of terror on their victims over the internet and because people have to tolerate it outside of school a lad in my secondary school even committed suicide because of it. Not only that it can cause depression in individuals. Another example as of late comes from the Neil Lennon hate campaign where some idiot posted the address of an innocent family as the perpetrators of the hate campaign against him. As well as bullying there have been people who have been stalked through their facebook, twitter, myspace etc accounts.

Another huge problem with the internet is protection of identity. It is not difficult to hack someone's email address and find household bills, bank statements, personal emails and so on. I have tried it before and was in their account within minutes, but I did not use any of their information but done it to prove a point. Internet is also a way to rip off multi million pound industries, wether you are for or against that is your own bussiness and I am sure that we have all done this by downloading movies etc. Then there is the gambling industry, how much money that generates through online means is phenomonal and is on a 24hr basis.

While they are a few examples of the damaging effects of the internet it is also impossible to police it. I am a fan of doing things the old fashioned way unless I have absolutely no other choice. A very basic analysis of the internet but this is the internet at its most dangerous. I think the internet is a GP's most annoying tool with people going to doctors saying they have so and so because of what certain websites say.

Obviously the internet is a fantastic place for knowledge, however at Queens if I reference a website I automatically get marked down on the statement and they have said if they see a single wikipedia reference then that is an automatic 0....Im taking the topic seriously.

Oh sorry Mr "I don't need a cartoon bunny rabbit to effectively make my point".. Tche..

Jonsmith wrote:Oh sorry Mr "I don't need a cartoon bunny rabbit to effectively make my point".. Tche..

I agree. I learned most of my most important live lessons from cartoon rabbits! Carrot anyone..?

Great post Jayo. Just to make a point on what GF said. It's unreal how easy it is to hack someone's email address and there's only one way to prevent this.......make a security question where you only know the answer and not what is your dogs name

hg - my dogs name is 53dlwshylougrs - its a long story - but a fairly safe 'code' ... until now ...

hurlingguru wrote:Great post Jayo. Just to make a point on what GF said. It's unreal how easy it is to hack someone's email address and there's only one way to prevent this.......make a security question where you only know the answer and not what is your dogs name

Or just not tell anyone your password or leave your page open.

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:

hurlingguru wrote:Great post Jayo. Just to make a point on what GF said. It's unreal how easy it is to hack someone's email address and there's only one way to prevent this.......make a security question where you only know the answer and not what is your dogs name

Or just not tell anyone your password or leave your page open.

Easier ways to hack accounts.