Assignment #1: Fundamental Principle of the Internet

Question: What is the fundamental principle is the Internet built on and how has this generation used it to its advantage?

As a "language" person, I like to analyze words and phrases to figure out how they relate to each other. Fundamental principle is defined as "the main or most important basis of a system of thought or belief" (Oxford Dictionary). So, when thinking about the Internet, what was the most important system of thought behind its creation and utilization?

Communication is the basis from which all other functions of the Internet developed:

• Information (Google, Bing, Wikipedia, organizations)
• Education (Universities, College, Khan Academy, Libraries)
• World, National, and Local Events (news sites)
• Products (Amazon, Dell, brick & mortar retailers)
• Services (Ally Bank, Quicken Loans, LifeLock, Airbnb, Uber)
• Personal (AOL, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Tinder, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat)
• Employment (Monster, LinkedIn, Indeed)

This generation, the generation that has grown alongside the Internet, uses this great power to its advantage both to inspire and to discourage. As Uncle Ben once told young Peter Parker, "With great power comes great responsiblity." Sadly, not all have been responsible with their power.

With this advantage, this generation has brought about:

• the growth of movements (#BlackLivesMatter, #NeverAgain, #MeToo)
• cyberbullying and cyberstalking
• global citizenship and greater sense of community
• the spread of hate and rise of hate groups
• breaking down cultural, geographic, and societal barriers
• inability to live in the moment (FOMO, social media fixation)

Although there are some negative advantages, this generation is fully aware of their shortcomings and speaks openly about them. While my generation (Gen X) KNEW about the bad things our peers were doing, we certainly never talked about them with our parents, teachers, or even each other! However, this generation will not only join the conversation, but they will also oftentimes initiate it. They know that their Internet-fueled addictions suck away their time, energy, and motivation but also do not feel any great need to curb that. Perhaps the following generation will use their advantages take that next step.