The Internet at 16

I saw a note that the Internet turns 16 today. The first site strangely enough was not a porn site. See the story here.

Another of the truly earth shaking events that we tend to take for granted. Look at all the ways the web has changed our lives, some for the best and some not so much. Research into anything is simple. When I was in school papers were drudgery because I either had to look it up in my parents 10 year old encyclopedia or go to the library. Since I would have rather been playing baseball or football, that was terrible. Today nearly any subject is just clicks away.

Commerce has become much simpler, yet more complicated. If you are a small businessman you can get your presence on the net with little difficulty. From there honing your message to get to just the right people is a little more complicated, but not impossible. For some small businesses though it has been a killer. A photographer used to get premium prices for what we can do now with photo shop. They have to find new ways to add value.

Large businesses can get help from across the world at much reduced prices. This as well has presented challenges. People here at home find themselves competing with people in India and China who will do work for a fraction of the cost. They also need to find new ways to add value.

Predators have also found a life on the Internet. I know from the news and my friends with older kids, that this is an extreme challenge. Between porn and the predators that invade chat rooms this has to be watched all the time.

Every generation or two something like this comes along. Locomotives changed the wold in their day. Automobiles changed the world. Television also to a point changed the world but not to the same degree. As humans it is our responsibility to adapt to the challenges and exploit the opportunities. In sixteen years we are just beginning to see the possibilities of where the Internet can take us.