The Internet and Information

In the most recent class we discussed the idea that internet sites such as Facebook and personal blogs can have an effect on people in the "real world". Taken simply, the internet allows people to consume hugely more information than in any era prior. So what? Why do I care? You care because this fact changes everything.

Social networking has changed the way people interact. It's not only given us a whole new medium of communication, but it's changed the very way people get information about others. As compared with years past this generation consumes far more information about others' thoughts, feelings, and actions than any prior time period. A person can't deny that the fact that you know things as minute as what an associate ate for breakfast changes how we communicate with people. You're more in touch with what people think or like without having spent nearly the face time that such learning would take in prior years. A real world example: I learned on facebook that a person I'd wanted to come speak at AU was a huge hockey fan. So what did I do? I looked up come information on his favorite team and was able to hold a solid conversation with him. He's coming to campus from New York a month from today.

Another way this vast opening of information has changed people is in how we buy things. Have you ever wanted to buy some product and stopped to look up the review online first? The internet provides a treasure trove of peer reviews, ratings, and pricings. No longer can a person buy a horrible product to say they didn't know it was the worst of its type. The internet helps alleviate what economists call the "lemon problem". This happens when information isn't symmetrical and the consumer ends up with a bad product. It's especially prevalent with cars. Now, with sites like Carfax a person can bring the information more in line and often avoid buying a real clunker.

So really, next time you go online think: How has this changed how I live. There is no denying that it has, it's a question of its specific effect on you. Honestly, in my case, I wouldn't trade it for the world.